SDSU vs UCSD for undergrad

[StormyGirl]

For those of you who live in San Diego is one school more better than the other in terms of academics? I heard it's hard to get to any professor at UCSD. Is that true? I am going to a community college and it seems everyone is trying to go to UCSD. I'm trying to decide what school I may have to go to if for some reason I can't relocate to Florida within the next two years.

StormyGirl

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[Smilescali]

Both are great schools. Where do you live? Have you considered Cal State San Marcos? I have heard great things about their Biology program.

I have a lot of friends who attend UCSD and they do complain a lot about having ANY access to the professors, but they also have positive things to say regarding the insitution itself. The class sizes are much larger at UCSD as well. Some people don't mind this, but coming from a CC you will notice the difference much more. UCSD is known for their rigorous science programs much more than San Diego State, but I honestly think that it depends on the person and their learning style.

What is your major? Each school has different areas of concentration for Bio and Chem majors as well, so you might want to research the requirements to transfer into each program and evaulate what your interests are. As far as transfering, Cal State schools seem to have a smaller number of core classes that you must take (ie Calculus and Physics requirements).

I am in a very similar situation as you only my choice is going to be between UCI and Cal State Fullerton (if I don't get into pharmacy school this year). I currently live in Carlsbad, but we plan on moving to OC if I don't get into USN this year. I am leaning towards UCI, but am still considering Cal State Fullerton or even Cal State Long Beach.

Hope this helps a little! Good luck!

 

[sdn1977]

For those of you who live in San Diego is one school more better than the other in terms of academics? I heard it's hard to get to any professor at UCSD. Is that true? I am going to a community college and it seems everyone is trying to go to UCSD. I'm trying to decide what school I may have to go to if for some reason I can't relocate to Florida within the next two years.

StormyGirl

I don't live in SD, but my daughter graduated from UCSD last June, so I'll give you my perspective. I don't know what you asked about the professors (get one????), but the UC & CSU systems are both very good - just different. I would say, generally, the UC system has greater academic requirements (higher GPA, SAT) than CSU. Both are very competetive to get into (particularly the two you mentioned) because there are soooooo many CA students wanting to go to college & not enough campuses. You can get prerequistes satisfied at both UC & CSU and obtain equally good educations. My son is currently at a CSU campus and he had a more difficult time obtaining classes than my daughter (perhaps this is the question you asked) partially because CSU has more students than UC. A question you might ask...why two systems? Well...the UC system is the only public university system in the state where you can obtain a doctorate (altho...some CSU campuses are petitioning for this). But...historically, the UC system was designed for academic preparation which potentially could lead to a doctoral degree. Currently, this is becoming an inconsequential designation since many, many students progress to doctoral degrees having obtained an undergraduate degree from CSU. IMO...both are great places to obtain a degree & both difficult to get into.

 

[FunnyPHARM]

I went to UCSD myself and I agree as others have said that they have a very intense science program. I also came from a c.c. and there was definitly an adjustment period, but it is really what you make of it. I got to know several professors very well, but that was mostly through helping out with research. SDSU is characterized as more of a party school and professors are not quite as research oriented. If your interested in a more relaxed social environment then I would go to SDSU. However, there are definitly more research opportunities at UCSD. Good Luck with your decision!

 

[StormyGirl]

Just wanted to thank you all for replying you've all given me something to think about. I am still not 100% certain what I will major in. I'm considering Mathematics, Biology or Biochemistry. Right now I am just taking GE courses until I decide. Thanks!
StormyGirl

 

[chusifer]

i am currently going to UCSD (graduating in the spring) as a bioengineering major. i can say that most every science course is competitive as hell here and that the classes can be very difficult. and whatever u heard about it being hard to talk to professors, its true. when u go to office hours, there's usually a lot of people there and its pretty hard to get to kno any profs on a personal basis. however there are a ton of research opportunities for u to take on so that u can get to know some of the faculty.

ucsd is one of the top public schools and u wont be disappointed with the academics here.

 

[evilolive]

For those of you who live in San Diego is one school more better than the other in terms of academics? I heard it's hard to get to any professor at UCSD. Is that true? I am going to a community college and it seems everyone is trying to go to UCSD. I'm trying to decide what school I may have to go to if for some reason I can't relocate to Florida within the next two years.

StormyGirl

UCSD will be a far superior institution for the sciences. This is purely anecdotal evidence but there was this girl that was rejected from UCSF because she didn't take her classes at a UC despite her good GPA (I question the accuracy of this comment because it's a liability for UC to tell her on the spot why she was rejected - they also told her to spend another year or so at UC if she wanted to get in??) from a calstate. Also be warned that it's very difficult to graduate on time from a calstate as if you look at the numbers, most of them have 4 year graduation rates between 5-15% due to the massive numbers of students.

 

[sdn1977]

UCSD will be a far superior institution for the sciences. This is purely anecdotal evidence but there was this girl that was rejected from UCSF because she didn't take her classes at a UC despite her good GPA (I question the accuracy of this comment because it's a liability for UC to tell her on the spot why she was rejected - they also told her to spend another year or so at UC if she wanted to get in??) from a calstate. Also be warned that it's very difficult to graduate on time from a calstate as if you look at the numbers, most of them have 4 year graduation rates between 5-15% due to the massive numbers of students.

Poor girl...her chance of transferring to a UC from CSU prior to getting her undergrad is next to zip. The thought is she is in a 4 year institution - much better to be a junior college transfer like the OP. I've heard it happening, but you have to have a real reason UC wants you - like superb research. I agree w/ you about 4 yr grad rates - my son has experienced that, altho things are better now that he is upper division, but he'll be 5 years to get his undergrad degree.

 

[eddavatar]

I'm currently a student in UCSD. Here are my biased $0.02:

1)Not a knock on JCs or Cal States, but classes are tough. They will get you. But that also means grad/professional schools will give you more favorable consideration of your GPA if you are from UC.

2)If you are into research (especially bio research) UCSD is one of the best spot to do so in the nation, if not the world. It's world class in terms of the PIs, equipments and funding (I feel spoiled in my lab). I believe our bio program's either 1st or 2nd in the nation.

3)Transferring to CS from UC and vice versa is usually very tough due to requirements differences. So if you choose the red/blue pill, you cant go back.

4)La Jolla is Model Town, CA, USA. Where SDSU is...is...well...not as nice.

In short. If you are looking for a nice town and a academically hardcore school. UCSD's your choice.

 

[LittleMissB]

SDSU = ordinary, while UCSD = extraordinary. I'm originally from San Diego and SDSU pretty much is where a majority of the highschool grads went because they couldn't get into anywhere else. If you want a high-quality education from a prestigious institution, go for UCSD. I've spoken with some former friends who were bio majors from SDSU and they don't even compare to ones from UCSD or from my alma mater UCI. We're on a higher echelon of thought. I can't even have conversations about my research experience back in UCI with SDSU people... they look all bewildered and seem like they don't even know what research is. UCSD all the way!

 

[thanawalt]

I'm having a tough time choosing between SDSU and UCSB, with SDSU being Chemistry with an Emphasis in Biochemistry and UCSB as a Biochemistry major.

Which would be the better choice if I wanted to go into Pharmacy School? Anyone from either of those schools care to share their thoughts if they ended up in a PharmD program?

 

[anh80]

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[laquotes]

UC's are usually more prestigious. It could get you better job opportunities. But with Admissions, my guess is that it's all equal playing field.

I've been to a few schools. At every school, the students think that their school is harder than other schools. But the reality is that the classes at CSU aren't much different in terms of difficulty than UCs. Grading in science is concrete. You know the material or you don't. The biggest difference is how lenient your professor is and that's a crapshoot. But if you get a B at a UC, it isn't because you are an A level student who was simply held down by competition. I mean is the admissions commitee going to buy that? They aren't. They are going to take the A student at any school.

 

[doublehh03]

UC's are usually more prestigious. It could get you better job opportunities. But with Admissions, my guess is that it's all equal playing field.

I've been to a few schools. At every school, the students think that their school is harder than other schools. But the reality is that the classes at CSU aren't much different in terms of difficulty than UCs. Grading in science is concrete. You know the material or you don't. The biggest difference is how lenient your professor is and that's a crapshoot.

sure that's true. but again, its not that the professors or classes are harder or easier, it's more of the level of the students (by that i mean the competitiveness for better grades... not necessarily dumber).

at UCSD, 90% of the ppl REALLY want to get As so that makes it tough and really competitive to do well.

im not sure about SDSU but one of my prof teaches at SDSU, UCSD and Cal Tech. She says SDSU is def. easier b/c of the level of the students. they're not as competitive nor generally as smart as the UCSD students. this is according to that professor, not me.

 

[setdi]

I have several friends employed in the San Diego area. What I've been told is that when looking at applications for employment, SDSU students aren't even considered for hire. I'm not saying I agree with this and I'm not saying this happens everywhere but it definitely happens at some companies. Go to a UC.

 

[koercive]

From personal observations (didn't attend UCSD), UCSD has one of the hardest biology programs out of the UCs. I see my classmates who went there, and they are pretty intense smart.

UCSD was my first choice coming out of high school, but if I had gone there, I honestly don't think I would be in pharmacy school right now (competition would have killed me). For me, I chose an easy major that I enjoyed and did well on my pre-reqs. Was I slightly disadvantaged starting pharmacy school? Probably, but at least I got in. Many bio major students don't make the cut.. just some advice from my experience.

 

[confettiflyer]

Even the OP probably graduated from college and is halfway through pharm school now...

...people in the same spot should go to UCSD. My friend who goes to SDSU got a text message warning him of a herpes outbreak on campus. True story. Enough said.