Northern California school choices
October 26, 2010 10:35 PM Subscribe
Question re San Francisco State and Cal State East Bay. Particularly interested in feedback from current and recent students and staff.
My niece is finishing her AA at a community college in New Hampshire, general education and business, also cheap. She'd like to move to Northern California to finish her BA. I'm helping her figure out where to apply.
Historically the economical choice would be one of the Cal States. But I have heard that due to the economic crisis and budget cuts, students can't get their classes and it takes years more than one would think to finish a degree.
I'm trying to figure out if she should give Cal State a chance, or if she would be better off at Mills or a school like that.
My niece is finishing her AA at a community college in New Hampshire, general education and business, also cheap. She'd like to move to Northern California to finish her BA. I'm helping her figure out where to apply.
Historically the economical choice would be one of the Cal States. But I have heard that due to the economic crisis and budget cuts, students can't get their classes and it takes years more than one would think to finish a degree.
I'm trying to figure out if she should give Cal State a chance, or if she would be better off at Mills or a school like that.
Seconding that it's hard to get into classes at the UC schools. I'm teaching a class with a lot of seniors in it and had a lot of students waitlisted for my class at the beginning of the semester. I ended up letting some in, but had to turn some away in order to keep the class to a semi-reasonable size. I'm not sure that the same would happen in the CSU system, not having experience there -- but really, there's not exactly money for education anywhere in California right now.
posted by madcaptenor at 11:08 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by madcaptenor at 11:08 PM on October 26, 2010
Best answer: I'm not at either school but have had close friends at SF State, Cal State East Bay, San Jose State and Sac State. All my friends at these schools have had serious trouble getting classes for the last couple years. One friend had a couple classes she needed for her masters (meaning she chose the school in part because they offered those classes) canceled. Another was getting his pre-recs for med school and had to postpone his application by a year because he couldn't get what he needed. It's terrible.
Having said that, everyone I know that has gone to one of the stage colleges here has given good reviews of the teaching and actual classes. It's true that if your niece can establish residency here, these schools are a good deal financially. I personally would prefer the economically diverse, multiracial, less bullshit environment of one of the state schools, if I had a choice.
Another thing to consider is that a private school or a UC might offer more of a sense of community than a state college, which have more of a commuter vibe. I had a friend who lived on campus at SF State and did get some of that dorm life connection, but even she spent a lot of time off campus. Most people I know who went to a State did not spend their spare time there. So it might be isolating for someone who doesn't have off-campus connections.
posted by serazin at 12:16 AM on October 27, 2010
Having said that, everyone I know that has gone to one of the stage colleges here has given good reviews of the teaching and actual classes. It's true that if your niece can establish residency here, these schools are a good deal financially. I personally would prefer the economically diverse, multiracial, less bullshit environment of one of the state schools, if I had a choice.
Another thing to consider is that a private school or a UC might offer more of a sense of community than a state college, which have more of a commuter vibe. I had a friend who lived on campus at SF State and did get some of that dorm life connection, but even she spent a lot of time off campus. Most people I know who went to a State did not spend their spare time there. So it might be isolating for someone who doesn't have off-campus connections.
posted by serazin at 12:16 AM on October 27, 2010
I went to SF State - although it has been about 10 years. So I can't comment on the particulars of current class size, ease of getting into classes, etc. But I can give you a little info on general student life. Both SF State and Cal State East Bay are very much commuter schools. Average student age is higher than typical colleges as you have a lot of working students. I worked all through college and just went to class and did not participate in a lot of campus frivolity - as there is very little. No Greek system to speak of, which was fine with me, but if she is looking for that go elsewhere. Had some good teachers and some bad - like at any school. But to be honest, I learned more going to Sacramento City College (the U by the Zoo) and had more fun. Good luck.
posted by joyride at 6:57 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by joyride at 6:57 AM on October 27, 2010
If you can use your address for her application, and if she has a California Driver's License, then you can probably slide through with in-state tuition. I have a coworker (here in Oregon) who did that for his son, and he easily got in-state tuition in CA. The fact that his transcripts were out of state did not seem to raise any questions.
posted by Danf at 8:19 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by Danf at 8:19 AM on October 27, 2010
With the budget situation being what it is, all institutions will be examining in-state tuition requests more closely. State law and university policy determine residency requirements for the CSU system. If your niece is an independent adult, then things are easier.
In case you are considering UC, they're making it nearly impossible to establish residency. Here is a quote from the Registrar, about their financial independence requirement:
In case you are considering UC, they're making it nearly impossible to establish residency. Here is a quote from the Registrar, about their financial independence requirement:
If you will not reach age 24 by December 31 of the year in which classification as a resident is requested, and are not dependent upon a California resident parent (biological or legally adoptive only) for tuition purposes, you will be required to satisfy the University’s self-sufficiency requirement.posted by expialidocious at 9:10 AM on October 27, 2010
It should be noted that this requirement makes it extremely difficult for most undergraduates who do not have a parent domiciled in California to qualify for classification as a resident at a University of California campus.
If you can use your address for her application, and if she has a California Driver's License, then you can probably slide through with in-state tuition.
Absolutely not so. Each school system has a policy for determining "residency" for tuition purposes and they evaluate anyone wanting to pay in-state tuition. Read up before you try to pull this off.
CSU policy (.pdf)
posted by gyusan at 9:38 AM on October 27, 2010
Absolutely not so. Each school system has a policy for determining "residency" for tuition purposes and they evaluate anyone wanting to pay in-state tuition. Read up before you try to pull this off.
CSU policy (.pdf)
posted by gyusan at 9:38 AM on October 27, 2010
Response by poster: We're not considering UC -- she wants to live in the Bay Area and she wouldn't get in to Berkeley. We're not considering residency deception. Not sure if she could be a resident after a year for Cal State. Sounds like it's a huge pain re getting classes in any event.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 10:02 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 10:02 AM on October 27, 2010
Best answer: Mills is pretty competitive too but she could look into it. There's also Saint Mary's - I had a friend teaching there and I get the sense it's fairly solid education-wise but more accessible economics-wise. Holy Names is similar I think.
posted by serazin at 10:32 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by serazin at 10:32 AM on October 27, 2010
Best answer: Mills is an excellent school (Mills women represent!) and she could do very well there. It's gotten pretty expensive, although as I remember a pretty big proportion of the student body get some kind of financial aid.
posted by Lexica at 12:08 PM on October 27, 2010
posted by Lexica at 12:08 PM on October 27, 2010
Response by poster: Good to know all re Mills. Thanks, all!
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 8:45 PM on October 27, 2010
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 8:45 PM on October 27, 2010
Best answer: serazin: I'm not sure I'd call Saint Mary's "more accessible economics-wise". Tuition there this year is $35,280; compare $36,428 for Mills.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:22 PM on October 27, 2010
posted by madcaptenor at 9:22 PM on October 27, 2010
Fair enough! It's not my area of expertise, I was just searching my brain for other schools around that might be good options.
posted by serazin at 9:17 AM on October 28, 2010
posted by serazin at 9:17 AM on October 28, 2010
Best answer: I wouldn't have even thought to check except that my current officemate used to teach at Saint Mary's.
That being said, it could be the case that one school has better financial aid than the other. Comparing sticker prices is a bit misleading.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:03 AM on October 28, 2010
That being said, it could be the case that one school has better financial aid than the other. Comparing sticker prices is a bit misleading.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:03 AM on October 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm at a UC, not a Cal State, but yes - classes are hard to get into and transfers are in the worst position (at least at my UC.) Classes are big.
posted by k8t at 10:55 PM on October 26, 2010