Hello everyone, I’m an international student in California. I’m choosing between SJSU (software engineering) and UOP (computer science). I would have chosen SJSU if UOP didn’t offer me a scholarship, making the two schools’ tuition equal. Some facts about me are that I’m an average student, and I’m not really good at communicating (I’m an introvert). Which school do you think suits me better? Any advice is appreciated!
I have a CS degree. I’m looking at the CS program offered at UOP, and it looks perfectly fine to me. If I had a choice, I’d probably go to UOP over SJSU even if the prices were the same. I like small classes and more personalized attention.
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UoP is likely to have dorms whereas SJSU is impossible if you’re not commuting (rent costs are sky-high due to the area it’s in). If you’d be living on campus and UoP and can afford to, then that’s what I’d pick.
If you can easily commute to SJSU the situation is different.
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Thanks for your advice. I also prefer a smaller class size but I can bear with it if necessary.
What do you mean that dorms are impossible if you’re not commuting? Is there no on-campus dorm in SJSU?
I think they’ve been building because it was a real problem but they don’t guarantee housing even for the 1st years. They do offer residential communities as well as International House (separate applicationm Housing applications opened Apr5.
https://www.housing.sjsu.edu/prospectiveresidents/firsttimefreshmen/
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Thanks for clarifying. It would be a problem for me if they don’t guarantee housing. But, if there is no housing problem, which school would you choose given that the prices are similar?
They guarantee housing for 1st years only and if you live farther away than 30 miles.
The issue is if you live, say, 27miles away and, most importantly, after your first year…
@Gumbymom @NCalRent @auntbea: any idea what it’d cost to rent in that area? I know prices are through the roof and increase quickly but I don’t know what rents would be currently.
That’s an issue you can’t really discount because what if the university becomes unaffordable due to the scarcity of apartments to rent?
It might be difficult for me if they don’t provide housing after my first year as I plan on studying on-campus until my third year. Thank you so much for your advice! I think I’m leaning toward UOP now.
Stockton is one of the cheaper areas in CA. A decent 2 Br near UOP looks like 1300/mo, One close to SJSU is probably 2x that price at 2500+.
It sounds like the smaller, UOP is the right fit for you. It is a beautiful campus and have a 4 year grad guarantee (vs SJ’s 14% 4 year grad rate ) is a plus. it isn’t a but tour both, talk to some students and your choice will become clear quickly.
Good luck
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Thank you all so much for the advice. I think I will go to UOP now.
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San Jose State has the advantage to be in the middle of Silicon Valley. It is much easier to find an internship and find a job after graduation than UOP. Almost all computer science graduates got a job no matter they are international student. Another good alternative to UOP is Santa Clara University. If you have to pay the out of state tuition, you may consider Santa Clara.
OP has made their decision for Fall 2021 so closing discussion.
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