UC or Cal State?

[mammal]

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My situation is probably not a new one but I would ultimately love some constructive feedback as I am too close to the situation and my family/friends are not as objective as I would have hoped they'd be.

Short thumbnail: I am a junior at UCR (first quarter there) and while I selected it b/c of its Haider program (with UCLA), I am starting to think maybe that I want something else.

Overall my experience w/ UCR has been a poor one. To me, the school has a coldness to it. It seems tough to connect w/ others and ultimately with the professors. I understand some of this has to do w/ the number of us there (math class lecture over 300 ppl).

One obstacle in particular that I have run into there is that I am behind (according to my advisor and the pre-med timeline) in my math sequence. Because of this, I can't even touch the life science core for another quarter.

So that combined w/ the fact that I am not happy there has led me to consider CSUSB. I have no pre-reqs keeping me from starting the Chem sequence and could easily start in the Winter quarter. In addition, they have a joint program w/ Western (Pamona) for their DO program.

I have a better overall impression of CSUSB after visiting the campus and speaking to a few students there. Of course they are biased as their attitudes reflect their choice to attend there. But they seemed pretty happy and overall friendlier. The campus did not feel cold like UCR either.

I feel pressed to make a choice soon!

Anyone care to comment?

Thanks in advance!

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1/15/08
Decided on CSUSB for their Biology with pre-med track...

 

[Excelsius]

Sent you a PM.

 

[lainey234]

Many years ago I went to UCI and I was miserable. It had the same coldness you describe, 400+ in each lecture, commuter school, few social opportunities unless you wanted to join clubs with names like " Chinese American Engineering Club" or " Hispanic Americans who like to read works of non-fiction club". No offense intended to any of these groups, it was just insanely hard to connect with anyone. I wish I had gone to a different school. Even UCR back then was smaller and probably a better choice for me.

In the end, I suggest you go where you can succeed. I think the hype between UC and Cal State is pretty much exclusive to CA. I would take a 3.5+ from any Calstate and be happy rather than risk being unhappy and not doing well at UC. Good luck!