What's college life like in California?

<p>S wouldn't consider any college in California, no UCs, CSUs, nothing. Like TheDad, I applaud my kid for wanting to break out geographically!
S will be a freshman at Boston University next fall.</p>

<p>Like the OP, I was excited to get out of my home area (Long Island) for an entirely new experience in college. Everyone from my school wound up at Cornell, SUNYs, etc. College is the chance for a fresh start, a new you. In my case, I had lost a huge amount of weight my senior year of high school, and wanted to go where no one ever knew the old fat me.</p>

<p>Hey Platinumtlc, keep us posted. You got your housing deposit in for SFSU, right?</p>

<p>I'm another east-coaster interested in the possibility of college on California. I'm a junior now and believe I made National Merit Semi-Finalist, so i will have top SAT scores, and i already have an 800 on SATII Chem and a 5 on AP Chem. I am in a number of AP courses and have strong EC's. I am looking for a college where I can get a decent amount of financial aid (we don't qualify for FAFSA but we arn't rich) - the cheaper, the better so there's more money for shopping and airplane tickets. Any suggestions would be appreciated! (I have no idea of what I want to major in)</p>

<p>CTgirl, I'm not sure I understand you. The FAFSA is not something you qualify for. It's a form. Some colleges require you file the CSS PROFILE (another form) and FAFSA for merit aid as well as need-based aid. Will you qualify for need-based aid? If not, look for CA colleges that offer a lot of merit aid, and where your stats will make you a good candidate for it.</p>

<p>No, we don't qualify for need-based aid. Any suggestions of CA colleges that offer a lot of merit aid to students with top grades/SAT scores?</p>

<p>Post this on the Parents Forum. Carolyn and some other parents might have some ideas.</p>

<p>ctgirl, check out the Univ of Redlands, Long Beach State (they might only give aid to Cal students), Occidental, Santa Clara.
If I were you, I would apply to many schools. When money is an issue, the more schools you apply to the better.
If your grades match your NMSF, I would apply to Pomona, and Stanford. USC also has many scholarships and gives money to NMF students. Most NMSF become NMF.
If you want to go for free and you can live with Arizona, Arizona State and U of A want NMF students and you have a shot to go to those schools for close to free. Check out the schools web sites for more info. Just google the schools.</p>

<p>Redlands gives great money, I know somehow who got a full ride there, and the stats aren't ridiculously high (though it looks like you have some awesome ones)</p>

<p>Another California college suggestion for the original poster: Take a look at the University of Redlands. It's a great school that many out-of-state students feel very comfortable at.</p>

<p>For merit aid, try: University of Redlands (I also know someone who received a full ride there with SATs in the high 1200's), University of San Diego, University of San Francisco, Santa Clara U, Loyola Marymount, and Chapman.</p>

<p>WackiCracka</p>

<p>I spent the whole summer at a CTY program at LMU. I would say that it probably wouldn't be the ideal college to go to. It was centered on a hilltop around a residental neighborhood so it was out of the LA smog, but it was fairly small. It didn't seem like there would be much social life. The food at the cafeteria was pretty bad, but there was a Jamba Juice. However, that's about the only fast food unless you have a car. The athletic facilities were great and recently remodeled. The dorms were okay, but you would definently need a car.</p>

<p>I think that if you get into both schools take University of San Francisco. San Francisco is a wonderful city. It is very diverse, has great public transportation, is laid back and Golden Gate park is great. It is reallly foggy, but much better wheather than the East Coast. The city is also filled with stuff to do and has great opportunities for recreation, entertainment and excercise. You won't need a car.</p>

<p>Hope this helped.</p>

<p>cali = awesome. i just visited for the first time and i had the same concerns as you. but the people there RULE. :)</p>

<p>Only most of us roll our eyes behind the backs at those who call it "Cali." Cf., calling San Francisco "Frisco."</p>

<p>frainy -- My son also spent the summer at a CTY program at LMU, but he often walked off-campus to fast-food restaurants and grocery stores in the surrounding neighborhood. It is definitely possible to walk to the local stores, restaurants, movies, etc. He did not have a car (he's 15) but I agree that if you wanted much more in terms of entertainment (beach, LA, etc.) you'd have to have or know someone with a car at LMU.</p>

<p>Yes, it's "The City." I too cringe whenever I hear Frisco.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Only most of us roll our eyes behind the backs at those who call it "Cali." Cf., calling San Francisco "Frisco."

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I couldn't agree with you more...I cringe when I hear "Frisco"...you just know someone's a tourist, new here, or whatever when they say that. It's "the city" to me.</p>

<p>The big drawback with the U of San Francisco is that housing is only guaranteed freshman and sophomore year. After that, you have to move off campus and San Francisco is an expensive housing market! This was a huge turn off to my daughter. Academically, I'd definitely place USF behind Santa Clara and U of San Diego as well.</p>

<p>California's a generally nice place to go to school. There is a lot of diversity on most campuses, and the weather is usually pretty good. Lately it's been raining a lot over in southern CA though, and the news have gone nuts with reporting stories on it (yes, it's raining. Get over it.)</p>

<p>people here are alright. there are a lot of idiots the further inland you go, so my advice would be to try and stay on the coast. To me, northern CA and southern CA are like two completely different states. In NorCal there just seems to be a whole different vibe, I can't really explain it.</p>

<p>I've lived in southern CA my whole life, so maybe I'm a little biased but I'm dying to get out. This is why I'm kinda the opposite of you and looking at schools on the east coast. however, I can't really imagine growing up anywhere else. If I had, I'd probably want to come here too. </p>

<p>and also, I agree. Nobody here actually says "Cali" unless they're joking</p>