<p>What is the best Cal State in Northern California for someone that want to major in biology (pre-optometry)? I already applied to</p>
<p>CSU Chico
CSU East Bay
Sonoma State University
CSU Monterey Bay<br>
Humboldt State University:
San Francisco State University<br>
CSU Sacramento
San Jose State University</p>
<p>I don’t know specifically about pre-optometry, but in terms of overall academic strength I would rate San Jose and Sacramento the tops of this list.</p>
<p>For a vegetarian (making assumptions from your name), the school that would fit the best socially/culturally might be Humboldt.</p>
<p>Is CSU Chico a better school than Humboldt State University?</p>
<p>CSU Chico and Humboldt are the worst of all the CSUs. CSU East Bay is on the top of the list with Cal Poly SLO.</p>
<p>According to US News top public universities (Master’s, West region):
<p>So it looks like Chico is the best in Norcal.</p>
<p>Chico and SJSU are probably the best overall, but I don’t know about their biology programs specifically.</p>
<p>chico and cal-poly slo are at the level of the mid-UC schools. But when you say “best” you encompass a lot of things. I’d suggest visiting the campuses and seeing if you feel comfortable at them. Look not just at the campus but at the surrounding community. Even if you are entering college with a pre-professional interest that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your college years. Living in SF is going to be quite different than living in San Jose, for example, and some of the campuses are residential (meaning most students live on-campus or a short distance away) while in the urban areas you’ll have many more commuters as well as older students going to class part-time. If it was me I’d opt for a residential campus, or at least one in an area I really want to live. Others may find the residential ones too remote. So figure out what’s right for you. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Which UCs are mid-level?</p>
<p>keri87:</p>
<p>UCI, UCSB, UCD</p>
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<p>although i have to admit that i’ve never heard that csu chico is grouped with the mid-UC’s. the only cal state that i’ve commonly heard that is supposed to be on par with the mid-UC’s is cal poly (san luis obispo). </p>
<p>not sure how the other cal states compare with UCSC and UCR… and UCM.</p>
<p>Chico and Cal Poly SLO are really at the same level as UCI, UCD, UCSB? I know they are better than UCR and UCM.</p>
<p>Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is excellent. But if you can’t get in there then Humboldt is definitely better than Cal state Chico, especially for biology/sciences. Some facts:</p>
<p>Has the smallest average class sizes in the CSU system.
Has the third highest SAT scores in the CSU system (after cal poly san luis obispo and SDSU)
Has an excellent biology program and good advising program.
Excellent undergrad research opportunities.
Much nicer location than Chico (in my opinion) - would you rather be by the ocean surrounded by redwoods or in Chico?</p>
<p>Of course, Humboldt does have a unique culture — be sure to visit to see if it right for you.</p>
<p>I would apply to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo but I don’t think they take spring applications from first time freshmen. So I think I have narrowed it down between CSU Chico and Humboldt State. Does anyone else know anything else about Chico and Humboldt? Is Chico more than just a party school? I read somewhere that CSU Chico has the highest graduation rates of all the CSUs.</p>
<p>CP SLO is good if u wanna be in the middle of nowhere</p>
<p>Do any UCs take applications in the spring for freshmen?</p>
<p>Chico is also in the middle of no where.</p>
<p>I’ve been under the impression that Chico is a lot better than humboldt, but Carolyn has put up some pretty impressive info. I’d go with a reccomendation from her. She knows about twice as much as i do about this stuff and I’m a CSU student!</p>
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<p>i believe some (berkeley in particular) offer spring admissions, but i think you still apply during the fall for that.</p>
<p>Arcata (where Humboldt State Univeristy is located in) has a long history of attracting young homeless people. The homeless population, as well as the bar patrons, are frequent violators of the drinking prohibition in the downtown area. According to the Arcata Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Unit, greater than 70% of the minors cited or arrested for possession of alcohol or public intoxication, self-report obtaining their alcohol from a member of the homeless population.</p>
<p>If Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is the top CSU? Where are CSULB, CSU Chico, SFSU, SDSU, CSU Montery Bay, CSU Sonoma, and Humboldt State? I don’t want to have to spend $55 dollars on the application if the school is not worth going to. I want to major in History.</p>