Hi,
I am planning to transfer in the Spring semester to Long Beach. But some people I know have already been accepted to UCLA. I am wondering if UCLA is better than LB? I am aware that UCLA is more famous, higher ranked and has better reputation. I chose LB because it seems closer, though I am not very interested in any in particular. 
My counselor said that I donât have to write any essay for LB, and I have been completing requirements for Cal State. My major is Japanese, and I hope to become a translator or an interpreter. Does UC have better language program, or anything over LB? :-?
It just seems to me that UCLA is more popular and adored among the students.
Lol. Are you seriously asking if a UC is better than a CSU? Lol again.
There are some great CSUs. My top choices, and in no particular order are: LB, Pomona, SLO, and SD.
However, if you intend to apply to the UCs, youâre behind the eight-ball if you havenât competed IGETC: CSU requirements may not coincide with UC requirements. In addition, unless the UCs have changed their policy, they do not accept Spring transfers. This means 1-more academic year before you enroll at a UC.
In regards to the strength of language programs, research the respective language departments youâre interested in to see what resources are offered, and which is the best fit for you.
And, if youâre not keen on writing admission essays, CSULB may be your best route.
Hey, just asking question here.
But does that mean UCLA is superior than Long Beach? So I am not as good if I donât get into UC, huhâŠ?
A UC will always be superior than a CSU. You asking if UCLA is superior to CSULB is just common sense. UCLA is superior to every public school in California, with the exception of UCB.
There is more to look at than prestige as well. UCLA seems to be big on having students live on campus while LB is more of a commuter school. Most live off campus. UCLA has significant graduate programs - PhD programs - while Long Beach has mostly masterâs programs and I think one Doctorate in Ed. Long Beach attracts a lot of locals because they have an automatic acceptance program for local high school students. UCLA attracts people from all over the world.
My son is using LB as a safety - he has automatic admission thanks to the Long Beach Promise. UCLA is significantly higher on his list. Long Beach is well known locally but UCLA will open more doors.
Based on the fact that you have to ask, you should go to Long Beach.
Seriously, long beach may be a great fit for you but UCLA is one of the top universities IN THE WORLD.
Having a degree from UCLA will take you way further than LB. I know Iâll get blowback from the âprestige is not an issueâ camp, but those are the people who also believe the American Dream is alive and well. Prestige has always been, and always will be, the sub-underlying separator between the classes, between power and non-power. Sure LB can serve you well if you plan to go to grad school, but stopping at a bachelors, if given the choice, choose UCLA.
It is more difficult to get a job as a professor at UCLA than it is at CSULB. It is more difficult to gain acceptance at UCLA than it is at CSULB. Therefore, UCLA has a higher average caliber across the board (students and professors), and thus can move at a faster pace and cover more material. UCLA has depth in their Japanese major (I am not sure about CSULB). Can you sign up for the 15-unit intensive language program at UCLA over the summer and see if you like it?
Your school does not validate you as a person, or even your skills or ability. On average, you may find a higher caliber at UCLA, but there are incredibly capable individual students at any school. You will find superior students (in any dimension you wish to measure) at CSULB who may not have been admitted to UC. CSULB will not be a cake-walk. Choose the school that is the best fit to your personality and goals.
^^^i agree with above poster until the last line. If seriously given the option of UCLA or LB, unless it is financially prohibitive, go with UCLA. I live in the land of CEOs, venture capitalists, lawyers, financial advisors, and every other type of executive. I also mingle with people who donât fit the executive mold. I can tell you âunequivocallyâ UCLA will help move you financially to a higher place. When it comes to education, Iâm not the warm fuzzy go with the flow type.
Having connected with former high school friends on FB from way back when, there is also a clear demarcation between those whose families had a fair amount of money (top schools, high-paying careers) and those who didnât go to the top schools (medium-to-low paying jobs). The line is so stark, itâs kind of frightening. Truly. Itâs mind-boggling in its clear message. There are no exceptions with anyone on my FB page.
Now someone might say, money isnât everything, but it sure helps!
Thatâs not to say LB canât work for someone, but when it comes to an equal choice, there is no decision in my mind. Donât pick the feel good school.
If you are still at CCC itâs simply a matter of GPA. Itâs all in your power and motivation to get to a UC. If you are at a CCC near the end of studies, but could have a better GPA, go another year to the CCC and bring up the GPA. Any Dâs repeat them. It does take determination to get good grades. So in the sense of âI have a lousy GPA and have limited choices,â then thatâs about how you chose to embrace the CCC years. I canât pat you on the back if you goofed around. This is what I tell my kids. So Iâm telling you this, too.
Life is not fair.
"I live in the land of CEOs, venture capitalists, lawyers, financial advisors, and every other type of executive. I also mingle with people who donât fit the executive mold. I can tell you âunequivocallyâ UCLA will help move you financially to a higher place. "
This highly depends on major though. This is definitely true for liberal arts and business majors.
That is true, @caliguylb, Iâm mainly talking executive.
UCLA is superior to Long Beach in every respect unless you value a short commute more that a quality education with highly qualified students.
I was told by all of my Communication teachers that I should go to CSUN or Long Beach. The cal states are actually great for many things⊠but I still wanted the experience from the UC.
UCLA has one of the top communications depts, although tough to get in to. UCSB has a good one too.
UCâs are not always superior to the Cal States. With that being said - UCLA is superior to Long Beach. If you have teh opportunity to attend UCLA, CAL, UCI, UCSB, UCSD and UCSF I would do so above Long Beach. Long Beach is a good school though.
So UCLA is the better choice to goâŠ
But they only accept Fall admission, and I want to transfer in the Spring. Itâs not about GPA or anything complicated. Interest, well, I am fine going to either one. But I think when someone says they are going to UCLA, you have more respect for that person than someone going to Long Beach. You guys confirmed that.
Nothing is written even for the UCs. My former secretary went to, gasp, UCLA for Political Science. She got pregnant by an engineer from Santa Clara university and the joke was they got married because she was pregnant. She was pretty good looking. I think it depends a lot on your major. I too have lived in Silicon Valley, the land of executives and CEOs. Donât let anyone here telling you anything otherwise. It depends on what you define as American dream. Yes I still do believe in American dream for my kids because I and many of my family and friends have achieved them.
The other item is how they both operate from different teaching paradigmsâŠ
UC: Undergraduate programs are designed to prepare students for graduate and professional work. Curriculum emphasizes theory and professional preparation. The UC has a theoretical approach to its programs of study and the typical student is pursuing a degree beyond a bachelorâs degree. The theoretical approach taken at the UC system is claimed to suits those students who want to learn critical research skills necessary to be successful in research-oriented study in graduate school.
CSU: Undergraduate programs are designed to provide a combination of theory and application necessary for graduate work or employment in oneâs chosen field of study. The CSU prepares about 60 percent of the teachers in the state, 40 percent of the engineering graduates, and more graduates in business, communications, health, education and public administration than all other California universities and colleges combined
I agree with above poster that the UCs are research-oriented but not sure I agree that most are going to graduate school. I would say the vast majority arenât, although Iâm just saying this based on my limited knowledge and everyone I know. Now whether or not a person a few years on decides to get an MBA is another thing.
Not all kids want to do research. My kid is a Regents at a UC and after her first quarter of guarantee research she decide against it for now.