I’m thinking of applying to Chico State because I heard it’s the best public College in California to study Anthropology. But, many people have told me not to got there because it’s a “party school” and that it’s a bad school overall. Is this true? Am I better off going to UC Merced or Riverside?
My son goes to Chico and loves it. He is getting a solid education in a ‘college town’ for a very reasonable cost. He studies biz. It is one of the more selective CSUs (3.25 and 1100/1600 SAT). The school has been there for 125 years and is really beautiful and well integrated with the surrounding community. The Biz, Engineering, Education, CS and Ag related programs carry a very good reputation among CA employers. They’ve been in the top 10 on US News’ regional public universities in the Western US list since the list’s inception in 1998 - they show up on other lists too. http://www.chicoer.com/general-news/20150909/chico-state-again-lauded-in-annual-college-rankings Or course that, and $2 will get you a coffee at Starbucks. I don’t know much about their Antrhro program.
UCR is a ‘better’ school but, it is more expensive and you need better stats to be admitted (3.7 GPA and 1800 SAT). My son didn’t have the stats to get in nor the interest to apply. Fewer students live on/near campus.
UCM is still developing its reputation, they are a little tougher to get into than Chico, more expensive and, more importantly, right now, Merced isn’t a very nice place to spend 4 years. Every year that goes by makes Merced a stronger school - with new facilities and a growing pool of alumni making their mark. No question they provide a good education. Though he certainly qualified for admission, he had no interest in applying.
I don’t know your stats, interests or budget so, I can’t really advise you further.
Apply to a bunch of schools, see where you get in - visit those campuses, talk to students and see where you fit in.
Good luck.