should i go here?
by: HS Junior
Hey, idk if here is really the place to post this but I'm a high school junior from CT looking to go to college out west. My parents aren't too keen on the idea but they've agreed to let me apply to three colleges in the west: one reach (UC Santa Barbara), one mid-range (U of San Diego), and one safety. I'm currently between U of Arizona, San Diego State, and UC Santa Cruz for my safety and, since I can't visit the schools in person before I apply, I was wondering if anyone on here could tell me some key differences between the three. Maybe you considered a few of them or have friends in other schools etc.
All three schools have similar quality academic programs for the majors I'm interested in and I've done a lot of research on their websites and sites like Princeton review. I'm really just here looking for you to tell me some of the key social differences and the "vibe" of the schools, stuff you can't really get from more "official" websites.
I'm ideally looking for a school with a pretty laid back environment and a more supportive than competitive environment. I think I'd like a party school, but I can't really see myself going out on weeknights. Definitely weekends though. That being said, I'm definitely more of a stoner than a drinker and would ideally want a social scene that reflects that. I'm fine with an alcohol dominated social scene, as long as there's a significant amount of weed too. I'm also looking for a strong Greek system and community. I plan to join a sorority, and would ideally want one that is supportive academically and socially, but is still fairly laid back, goes to good parties, and is decently liked by fraternities.
Anyways, if you can give me any insight on life here compared to the other two schools, it would be much appreciated. Additionally, if you know of any other schools that fit my description of an ideal school, feel free to lmk. Also, if you know of any other sites where I might get more/better responses for a question like this lmk. Greekrank is just kinda the only "college forum" type site I know of. Thanks :)
Comment#3by: bro
ucsb as a reach, sdsu as a high match (very very selective), u of a a safety or asu if your gpa isnt that great.
SDSU > USD for everything (especially academics lol)
U of Arizona > USD (atleast people know what u of a is)
UCSC> USD (for weed and partying, but not greek life)
by: Wrong
False. Maybe you're thinking of UCSD?
SDSU is a Cal State school and easily the least selective school on the OP's list. It has even more of a "party school" rep than UA and UCSB, and SDSU does not have an AAU distinction like UA, UCSB, and UCSC. Real talk, SDSU isn't even a top 10 school in Southern California school. Although to their credit, they do have great weather, are in a fun city, and throw down HARD.
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by: @wrong
SDSU has less than a 30% acceptance rate lmao be real. Please do some research. Their average entrance GPA is around a 3.8 now. U of A has a 76% acceptance rate and usd has a 52% and they both have significantly lower entrance scores.
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by: @Wrong
It sounds like you're thinking of sdsu from like.... 15 years ago. Almost everyone I know got rejected but accepted to u of a, ucr, ucsb, ucsd. I love this school but you're dense if you think we are more selective....
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by: Pike
Sit down? Lol go on college confidential. Look at all the students who got rejected from sdsu but went to UCLA, UCSB, UCSD. None of those people applied here for a reason. if you were to ask any student applying to UCs then they apply to the top CSUs, cal poly slo and sdsu. You're wild if you think slo isn't as good as U of A. Or SDSU. But have fun hanging out with high school students who couldn't get over a 3.5 to save their lives.
Last time I checked a 3.8 is higher than a 3.4 but hey whatever gets u a job in Arizona right? Because everyone wants to stay here
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by: Easy there
Looks like someone's touched a nerve. What are you a failed SDSU legacy?
No one is saying UA is an elite bastion of learning. You're being insecure. The Arizona schools have a notoriously average student body, in part because AZ residents are guaranteed admission if they're in the top quartile of their schools and have guaranteed placement from the CA community college system with minimal requirements. Oh, and online admissions and tuition locks.
But to say SDSU is more selective than the UCs is a total joke. CA kids apply to the UCs and either a lower UC (like Merced or UCR) or a Cal State school as a safety school. No one gets rejected from SDSU and goes to UCLA or UCSB as their second choice, and the fact that you cite "College Confidential" undermines any iota of credibility you might've had.
SDSU isn't even in the same league as the UCs (and yes, neither is UA apart from a very select subset of programs) and most people would struggle to rattle off the names of prominent SDSU alumni (Greg Peck and Marshall Faulk? lol) or Nobel Laureates on faculty. Again, San Diego State doesn't even register in the top ten universities in the bottom half of California. Wake tfu man.
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by: HAHAHAH
by: @Wrong
“SDSU is the least selective”
I can’t post links but SDSU had a 34% acceptance (3years ago)rate with higher GPAs and test scores according to prepscholar and other sources readily available. Average gpa is now a 3.8, so no, it’s not a safety school lol.
Vs
A 76% acceptance rate. That’s more than double. You can also find that readily available online.
SDSU is in the same league as the UCs, excluding the top 2. people compare SDSU to the UCs more than people even considered UA in the same league. This is so embarrassing as someone who lives in a UA household. Don’t embarrass yourself by bringing down other, much more respectable schools. Thanks
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by: Cali
Uhmm, SDSU has a lower acceptance rate bc instate kids want to go to a beautiful vacation destination for college. It doesn't have anything to do with the applicant pool. SDSU might be one of the best Cal State schools but its still a Cal State school.
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#4by: Hey OP
You should really go visit those schools before applying and definitely before matriculating. Your assumptions are pretty far off -- in terms of Greek system, supportive (vs. competitive) academic environment, selectivity, and regional bias. If weed really is a consideration, albeit a very dubious one, the California schools or CU might be a good choice due to legalization. But really, you should consider which school is the best fit for whatever you plan on majoring in, via faculty or placement in career field or grad school; then based on environment and social life. You seem to be looking mostly at big universities, which will have a clique for you no matter what your interests are.
by: OP
Yeah, I wish I could visit but my parents are still unsure about the whole west coast thing, plus travel is annoying. I'm not basing my decisions based entirely off of what people say on greekrank or on the social aspects, but it is a factor. I focused on that in the comment because academics are easier to find on official websites and by asking admissions reps. No college publishes anything about their parties lol. I'm probably going to visit all the schools I get accepted to, unless I get into UCSB because they're my top school but it's also a reach. Even then, I'd visit my northeast schools again and UCSB and if I really didn't like it in person I'd visit the rest.
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#5by: Lol
Undergrad doesn’t really mean anything. If u go to SDSU vs UofA vs UCSB we’ll all end up with the same paying jobs. It’s about working your way up, getting a masters or PhD, etc. the reason why we have a high acceptance rate it because we have a very big school that we can fit a lot of students. Those schools you’re talking about are smaller, therefore more selective. If you’re doing business, Eller is a very respected program and pretty selective.
#6by: Hmmm
If money is at all an issue then I would recommend a private school JUST because you would get more financial help and scholarships, whereas CSU and uc schools are less likely to help out their out of state students. I'm paying 7000 a year to go to state which is a steal for the education I'm getting and the connections I'm gaining in SD an LA. But for out of state students it's a lot more and u can't get aide, just scholarships from what I've heard.
If it's an issue: reach: usc
match:chapman university
Safety: USD
If not:
Reach: UCSB
match: (if you have over a 3.7 depending on your major admission rate) SDSU or UCSC if you just wanna smoke and go to Forrest parties
Safety: USD you can easily get into because anyone gets in but the Greek life sucks and it's an easily forgotten school. I would highly recommend looking at other schools if you want a social life and a good education. I'm assuming you have at least a 3.7 to consider ucsc or sdsu a safety? UCR rages too so there's that
by: yo
if you're talking private, pepperdine is probably a better choice than chapman and usd, and the claremont schools (claremont mckenna, pomona college or harvey mudd depending on your major) might be preferable to usc if caltech is out of reach.
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#7by: Truth
SDSU is not a safety school. A lot of people got my school applied there and got rejected, but got accepted to USD, UCSD, UC Irivine and a bunch of other UC’s. They’re really selective especially for out of state, and should most definetly be on your reach school list.
#8by: whoopsies
San Diego State should definitely not be considered a safety. It’s academics are sky rocketing and acceptance rates are hovering below 30%. I know a lot of in state california kids who got rejected and a ton of out of state as well who had GPAs around 4.0. SDSU doesn’t have the reputation it once did, your school ‘naviance’ program probably just isn’t up to par. best of luck
by: lol
hahaha you are delusional. sdsu's acceptance rates are going down because the population of cali and the competitiveness (and cost) of the UC schools have been going up. plus the csu schools are moving to a model where california community college students and high schoolers get guaranteed placement. it has nothing to do with sdsu's academics.
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by: @Lol
Did you look at their incoming student statistics or are you just mad you couldn’t get in? SDSU has similar statistics to those who attend UCI, UCD, and UCSB
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by: Facts
SAN DIEGO STATE
---------------
US News rank #140
Forbes rank #216
WSJ rank #377
QS rank (global) #801-1000 (lowest tier)
College Factual rank #384
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.69
- Average SAT: 1190
- Average ACT: 25
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UC SANTA BARBARA
-----------------
US News rank #37
Forbes rank #83
WSJ rank #99
QS rank (global) #134
College Factual rank #36
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 4.25
- Average SAT: 1330
- Average ACT: 27
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UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
----------------------
US News rank #90
Forbes rank #157
WSJ rank #164
QS rank (global) #801-1000 (lowest tier)
College Factual rank #186
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.84
- Average SAT: 1290
- Average ACT: 28
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UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
---------------------
US News rank #124
Forbes rank #231
WSJ rank #174
QS rank (global) #230
College Factual rank #318
c/o 2021 student profile:
Average GPA: 3.38
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
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by: Even More Facts
Cal State schools only.....
SAN DIEGO STATE
---------------
US News rank #140
Forbes rank #216
WSJ rank #377
QS rank (global) #801-1000 (lowest tier)
College Factual rank #384
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.69
- Average SAT: 1190
- Average ACT: 25
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CAL POLY SLO
--------------
US News rank #11 (west region)
Forbes rank #153
WSJ rank #228
QS rank (global) #801-1000 (lowest tier)
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.92
- Average SAT: 1300
- Average ACT: 28
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CAL POLY POMONA
-----------------
US News rank #31 (west region)
Forbes rank #349
WSJ rank #489
QS rank (global) #NR
College Factual rank #
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.49
- Average SAT: 1130
- Average ACT: 25
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SAN JOSE STATE
--------------
US News rank #35 (west region)
Forbes rank #319
WSJ rank #501-600
QS rank (global) #801-1000 (lowest tier)
College Factual rank #NR
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.40
- Average SAT: 1120
- Average ACT: 24
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LONG BEACH STATE
-----------------
US News rank #39 (west region)
Forbes rank #339
WSJ rank #473
QS rank (global) #NR
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.54
- Average SAT: 1160
- Average ACT: 23
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CHICO STATE
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US News rank #37 (west region)
Forbes rank #342
WSJ rank #470
QS rank (global) #NR
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.27
- Average SAT: 1080
- Average ACT: 23
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CAL MARITIME ACADEMY
----------------------
US News rank #3 (west region)
Forbes rank #353
WSJ rank #377
QS rank (global) #NR
c/o 2021 student profile:
- Average GPA: 3.31
- Average SAT: 1190
- Average ACT: 25
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by: OP
CT and I'm basing the difficulty off of the charts on my school's Naviance on who got in with what gpa and SAT score from my high school. My SAT scores are higher than typical for my gpa so my difficulty for schools is a little skewed towards schools that weigh test scores higher. Also UCSB has a strong preference for California and West Coast students, but it's still worth it for me to apply. No one from my high school has ever been rejected from UCSC and almost all of them had lower gpas and SAT scores than me. I have a solid chance at USD but it's not a guarantee
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