elaznguy

Ok, with the May 1st deadline approaching soon. I'd like some help with potential college choices.

The main problem is that many people choose a college based mainly on strength in major of interest and internship possibilities involving that major. Ok, so I am interested in biology. No, no pre-med,molecular, etc. but actually something that would lead eventually to a career with either working with or research involving animals/nature(main interests would be fish, herps, and "bugs"). And yes, I know wildlife management/science may also lead somewhere I wouldn't mind going. I haven't met anyone in person actually doing this. Is it really that uncommon?

I visited the three schools in the beginning thread with family friends in the area. Cal Poly Pomona's aquatic biology etc. area seemed rather small. The campus did have a cool greenhouse and was nice looking in general. UC riverside campus bio area in contrast was several massive buildings. From what I saw a lot of it was dedicated to micro-biology/neuroscience.

CSU Long beach had buildings of intermediate size(one of which at present is about to be torn down and rebuilt). I did see however a lot of marine biology related things in the building. I have no idea of the rankings of these campuses. One important thing would be ease of getting internships as an undergrad.

I also was accepted to several other CSU's, Merced, and Santa Cruz.

Any thoughts appreciated!

liek0806

i would imagine santa cruz would have strong programs in anything aquatic/marine simply based on location. i'd go with santa cruz.

UCLA, Ph.D.

I would go with Santa Cruz. First you always go UC over CSU, more resources, opportunities and connections. Second, your major seems to fit better at UCSC.

elaznguy

The main reason UC Santa Cruz is not on the list is my folks heard from my sis that it is a "party school". I've heard stuff about it also being a "stoner/hippy" school. Anyone that goes there care to comment? The living situation would also be tough. I've heard it has a good marine bio program if I choose to go that particular route, as mentioned here.

One thing i noticed(unfortunately we missed the actual open houses)...is that the Cal-Poly/Beach campuses seemed full of life. They had little club activity signs posted up everywhere. At Cal-poly some engineers were doing surveying, and their was some kind of community event going on at beach. Riverside seemed a bit dead by comparison. Yes their were some posters. Some skater people on skateboards/skooters, and two guys playing catch in the front. It was a few hours after their open house and you'd think more than that would be visible.

DunninLA

UCSC all the way. Saying UCSC is a "party school" is like saying UC Berkeley is for hippies and social activists.

Old news.... 35 years old, in fact.

P.S. UC Santa Barbara has the party school rep also, and it too is overblown.

liek0806

Cal State Long Beach is as much of a party school as is UCSC.

u need to go to UCSC.

elaznguy

For some reason, folks are really against it.

Considering long beach and Riverside...would long beach be more appropriate?

elaznguy

bumpage.

Anyone actually have experience with Riverside or Beach?