<p>What is the difference between a UC and a CSU?
And does it matter which i go to if i'm planning on applying to a dental school?</p>
<p>I personally wouldn’t make a distinction between UCs and CSUs without looking at individual departments. Even though UC’s on average have higher ranking departments, that doesn’t mean they’re all better.</p>
<p>I would look at the dental programs you want to get into and what department, major, or programs will best prepare you for that. If a CSU has a special dental program that UCs don’t have and it will help you get to where you want to go then do it.</p>
<p>If you go a UC there is probably a better chance that your out of major breadth and elective classes will be in stronger departments, but you need to weigh how much the strength of your specific major and the strength of the school as a whole matter in your decision. (Personally I would go with whatever school was most reputable in my specific major).</p>
<p>I’ve been told that the UCs are more about research and the CSUs are more about teaching. By that I mean, students will often get a more “practical education” at many of the CSUs. And some will be ready to go out into the working world, depending on their major, ie; engineering and architecture. Just check out some of their majors compared to UC. And, if you plan to go to graduate school or, in your case, a professional school, it’s not really necessary to pay more for a UC undergrad education. My daughter is at Cal Poly SLO majoring in Kinesiology and will apply to Occupational Therapy grad schools. Granted, she could have majored in *anything *at a CSU or the UC or private schools she was accepted to. But, she chose the less expensive route and a major related to her career. And, it will give her plenty of “hands on” experience.</p>