Cal State vs. UC systems?

[Admin]

What do you think is the difference between the two systems?

[Springles]

UC are more expensive.
More difficult to get accepted into their school compared to Cal State.
More renowned around the nation.
Certain UCs (LA, Berkeley, San Diego) are on the top ten lists of best public universities nation wide.
Their sports player gets more recruited to the national level compared to Cal State.

A very long list.

[ak]

Cal States: Better for regular careers (teaching, business, etc.) Except cal poly... engineering and hotel management

UC: Typically suited for those seeking high-end careers (lawyers, doctors, engineers, etc). More expensive, but we all know about their reputation.

That's just MY opinion and it's not based on facts.

[Tarak Chunsa]

It sure would be nice if I was attending UCLA right now.
Heck, can I transfer to UC out from Cal Poly?

[Springles]

Originally Posted by Tarak Chunsa

It sure would be nice if I was attending UCLA right now.
Heck, can I transfer to UC out from Cal Poly?

I did hear about student transfering to a nearby UC. Maintain a good g.p.a. and enough credit and send an e-mail to the admission office.
Or take a visit to the career center.

[Trader]

UC has a higher payed instructors, meaning they are more devoted to their work and their students.
UC are famous nationwide and very competitive to get admitted (not all).
UC graduates have a higher percentage of getting into their career compared to the Cal State graduates.
UC sports team are in the national division while Cal States are in the state (lower) division.
You can write a long list of the difference between a Cal Poly student and a UCLA student. And I do mean a long list. I don't know about UCR though.

[Puffguts]

Oops I posted this on the wrong forum *copies and pasts*

Hello everyone. Very often my discussions with friends and relatives arrive at the issue of my college life, and then almost inevitably lead to the CSU vs UC argument. I noticed many of my relatives idolize the UC schools, while viewing CSU as nothing but "souped up Mt.Sac(s)".

Here is my view on the pros and cons of CSU vs UC universities:

CSU:
Pros - Very undergraduate-friendly, good education for the cost of tuition. Instructors are easier to reach than of UC's. Smaller class-size compare to UC means more in-class participation for the students. Getting to know the instructors and having them know you very often motivates learning.

Cons - Limited budget. CS department installed wireless accesspoint in most of the CS classrooms in building 8, but lacking in additional funding prevented them from activating those hardware. For now they are classroom furnitures. Graduate students cannot sufficiently complete highend researches with lowend budget. Being a State institution, instructors that proven themselves to be unfit cannot be fired easily even if they get all "E"s for the student evaluations (state employees benefit). Registrar / Cashier / General Admin units work with government like bureaucracy (transcripts can be obtained faster if you talk to a more responsive admin).

UC:
Pros - Large budget to enable students to conduct undergraduate projects to reflect better on their resume (CS students building their own server, and run self-made applets to monitor them, etc with university funding, bio majors can go to government research centers and get hands-on study with travels paid by the university, etc). More regulated faculty and staff.

Cons - Instructors won't remember students' names in classes. Questions for the instructors can only be answered by the TAs, while the instructors focus on more researche. Undergrad departments are focused less compare to Graduate level studies. Forcing everyone to live on campus for the first year means more money for the university. Systematic issues such as racial tension (Whites trash Asians for "not attending the games" and not "participating in the campus community", UC Berkley students signed a petition to limit Asian enrollment on the basis of not "contributing to campus communities". UC LA had a hotdog event to make fun of affirmative action... every African American and Hispanic students passing by were offered free hotdogs accompany by the chant: "free-ride hotdog for the disadvantaged".

[Admin]

Originally Posted by Puffguts

Cons - Instructors won't remember students' names in classes. Questions for the instructors can only be answered by the TAs, while the instructors focus on more researche. Undergrad departments are focused less compare to Graduate level studies. Forcing everyone to live on campus for the first year means more money for the university. Systematic issues such as racial tension (Whites trash Asians for "not attending the games" and not "participating in the campus community", UC Berkley students signed a petition to limit Asian enrollment on the basis of not "contributing to campus communities". UC LA had a hotdog event to make fun of affirmative action... every African American and Hispanic students passing by were offered free hotdogs accompany by the chant: "free-ride hotdog for the disadvantaged".

That was an interesting post. I did hear about the UC Berkeley petition and how the petition had an affect on the admission system for UCs. The outcome of the petition targeted the asians overall. The asian ethnicity group gets one or two points deducted on their admission scorecard while other ethnic group did not get affected. Meaning, more competition was introduced for the asian h.s. seniors just so they can get admitted into the limited slots for UC.
It is incredible how the student body (whether it be small or large) in Berkeley and UCLA can obtain so much control over the UC board of education. Who can blame them...they know exactly what they are doing.

And for the hot-dog event, the caucasians aren't afraid to express their feelings and opinions toward other ethnicity groups. It is not like the admission boards will expel each students that took part of the action (or did they?).
Great evaluation Victor!

[Admin]

http://www.universityofcali fornia.edu/aboutuc/mission.html (source)
University of California's Mission

The University's fundamental missions are teaching, research and public service.

Mission Statement

We teach - educating students at all levels, from undergraduate to the most advanced graduate level. Undergraduate programs are available to all eligible California high-school graduates and community college transfer students who wish to attend the University of California.

Instructional programs at the undergraduate level transmit knowledge and skills to students. At the graduate level, students experience with their instructors the processes of developing and testing new hypotheses and fresh interpretations of knowledge. Education for professional careers, grounded in understanding of relevant sciences, literature and research methods, provides individuals with the tools to continue intellectual development over a lifetime and to contribute to the needs of a changing society.

Through our academic programs, UC helps create an educated workforce that keeps the California economy competitive. And, through University Extension, with a half-million enrollments annually, UC provides continuing education for Californians to improve their job skills and enhance the quality of their lives.

We do research - by some of the world's best researchers and brightest students in hundreds of disciplines at its campuses, national laboratories, medical centers and other research facilities around the state. UC provides a unique environment in which leading scholars and promising students strive together to expand fundamental knowledge of human nature, society, and the natural world. Its basic research programs yield a multitude of benefits for California: billions of tax dollars, economic growth through the creation of new products, technologies, jobs, companies and even new industries, agricultural productivity, advances in health care, improvements in the quality of life. UC's research has been vital in the establishment of the Internet and the semiconductor, software and biotechnology industries in California, making substantial economic and social contributions.

We provide public service, which dates back to UC's origins as a land grant institution in the 1860s. Today, through its public service programs and industry partnerships, UC disseminates research results and translates scientific discoveries into practical knowledge and technological innovations that benefit California and the nation.

UC's agricultural extension programs serve hundreds of thousands of Californians in every county in the state.

Open to all Californians, UC's libraries, museums, performing arts spaces, gardens and science centers are valuable public resources and community gathering places.

The University's active involvement in public-school partnerships and professional development institutes help strengthen the expertise of teachers and the academic achievement of students in communities throughout California.


******************** ******************** *********


http://www.calstate.edu/PA/info/mission.shtml (source)
The Mission of the California State University


I. The mission of the California State University is:


To advance and extend knowledge, learning, and culture, especially throughout California.
To provide opportunities for individuals to develop intellectually, personally, and professionally.
To prepare significant numbers of educated, responsible people to contribute to California's schools, economy, culture, and future.
To encourage and provide access to an excellent education to all who are prepared for and wish to participate in collegiate study.
To offer undergraduate and graduate instruction leading to bachelor's and higher degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, the applied fields, and the professions, including the doctoral degree when authorized.
To prepare students for an international, multi-cultural society.
To provide public services that enrich the university and its communities.

II. To accomplish its mission over time and under changing conditions, the California State University:


Emphasizes quality in instruction.
Provides an environment in which scholarship, research, creative, artistic, and professional activity are valued and supported.
Stresses the importance of the liberal arts and sciences as the indispensable foundation of the baccalaureate degree.
Requires of its bachelor's degree graduates breadth of understanding, depth of knowledge, and the acquisition of such skills as will allow them to be responsible citizens in a democracy.
Requires of its advanced degree and credential recipients a depth of knowledge, completeness of understanding, and appreciation of excellence that enables them to contribute continuously to the advancement of their fields and professions.
Seeks out individuals with collegiate promise who face cultural, geographical, physical, educational, financial, or personal barriers to assist them in advancing to the highest educational levels they can reach.
Works in partnership with other California educational institutions to maximize educational opportunities for students.
Serves communities as educational, public service, cultural, and artistic centers in ways appropriate to individual campus locations and emphases.
Encourages campuses to embrace the culture and heritage of their surrounding regions as sources of individuality and strength.
Recognizes and values the distinctive history, culture, and mission of each campus.
Promotes an understanding and appreciation of the peoples, natural environment, cultures, economies, and diversity of the world.
Encourages free scholarly inquiry and protects the University as a forum for the discussion and critical examination of ideas, findings, and conclusions.
Offers degree programs in academic and applied areas that are responsive to the needs of the citizens of this state and provides for regular review of the nature and extent of these programs.
Offers or proposes to offer instruction at the doctoral level jointly with the University of California and with private institutions of postsecondary education, or independently in the field of education where the need is clearly demonstrated.

[Will]

Is it true that PhD programs exist only in the UC system?

[swagner]

That's true. Some CSU's (including Cal Poly- SLO) offer Ph.D programs in association with a UC campus.

[Admin]

Speaking of UC, what are some of the reasons you chose Cal Poly instead of UC?
I was unable to apply and meet the UC admission requirements because of my trigonometry teacher.

[swagner]

I actually did apply to UC! I was admitted to UC Berkeley and UCSD (they were my backup schools). However Cal Poly is a much bigger name than any UC (at least it is in Texas where I come from). My brother also applied to Cal Poly and to UCLA; he got denied to Cal Poly so he went to UCLA as a second choice.

It is actually odd to me, reading these other posts here. I had no idea UC's were respected so much in California; where I come from Cal Poly is one of the most respected named schools around. Shoot, back home one day I was waiting a table and I got to talking with the customer- told him that I just got admitted to Cal Poly- he was extremely impressed and gave me his card and told him to call him if I *ever* wanted a position with his company. Really y'all, you should give your CSU system some more credit! :-)

[swagner]

oops, "...and told him to call him" = "told me to call him" :-)

[Springles]

Impressive swagner. I would've attended Berkeley in a heartbeat. Can't beat their reputation and ranking in many majors nationwide. But that is just me.
Cal Poly gets their respect in certain majors so that is good to hold unto. reputation equals higher salary after graduation.

[Admin]

Originally Posted by swagner

I actually did apply to UC! I was admitted to UC Berkeley and UCSD (they were my backup schools). However Cal Poly is a much bigger name than any UC (at least it is in Texas where I come from). My brother also applied to Cal Poly and to UCLA; he got denied to Cal Poly so he went to UCLA as a second choice.

It is actually odd to me, reading these other posts here. I had no idea UC's were respected so much in California; where I come from Cal Poly is one of the most respected named schools around. Shoot, back home one day I was waiting a table and I got to talking with the customer- told him that I just got admitted to Cal Poly- he was extremely impressed and gave me his card and told him to call him if I *ever* wanted a position with his company. Really y'all, you should give your CSU system some more credit! :-)

Impressive indeed. Not all UC are respected (*cough UCR *cough) although all have strength and weakness.
I'm sure you had your reasons to choose Cal Poly from your option. But why is Cal Poly so respected in Texas (city you came from)? Or is it the major you are majoring in, famous in Texas?

[cracker]

Hey, I'm a CPSLO student, a friend of mine wanted me to ask this:

Hey everybody;
I'm currently a Cal State Fullerton student, but I want to transfer to UCI. By next semester, I'll have over 60 transferable units, a 3.53 GPA, in the Honors program, on the Dean's list, and am a former Presidential Scholar. I got a 1380 on the SAT's, a 32 on the ACT, and was accepted to UCI and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I went to CSUF for a scholarship, but I've since lost it and want to go to UCI. What are my chances?

[Admin]

Originally Posted by cracker

Hey, I'm a CPSLO student, a friend of mine wanted me to ask this:

Hey everybody;
I'm currently a Cal State Fullerton student, but I want to transfer to UCI. By next semester, I'll have over 60 transferable units, a 3.53 GPA, in the Honors program, on the Dean's list, and am a former Presidential Scholar. I got a 1380 on the SAT's, a 32 on the ACT, and was accepted to UCI and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I went to CSUF for a scholarship, but I've since lost it and want to go to UCI. What are my chances?

A high chance. Seriously, your friend's position in terms of GPA and being on the Honors, Dean's List and Presidential Scholar makes her/him a good candidate. Did he/she already apply? And seek a college advisor/counselor and e-mail the Admissions department at UCI. Good luck to your friend.

[Admin]

University of California's board of regents on Thursday voted to postpone a decision on a proposal that would have increased the minimum grade-point average required to get into the system's schools.
"I'm pushing for more rigor, a more challenging curriculum," state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said. "I want students to be eligible [for UC]. This discourages students. More students are eligible for college. We should be celebrating, not try to dissuade people from attendance."

Under the plan, the system would raise the minimum GPA from 2.8 to 3.1.
That would reduce eligibility rates for white students from 16.1% to 14.2%, according to UC data. Eligibility would drop from 6.3% to 4.7% for black students and from 6.5% to 5.5% for Latino students.
Regents, though, said they were trying to protect the quality of a UC education. Students who aren't eligible for UC still have a variety of other options, officials said, including the California State University system and state community colleges.

"I do not think it's unreasonable for an institution of our size to increase its standards," said Regent Sherry Lansing. "We also don't live in a dream world where we can fund all students" who are eligible for admission.
[Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/pi...,2232062.story and http://www.trivalleyherald.com/Stori...73423,00.html]

Does increasing the minimum grade-point average required to get into the UC system's schools involve "affirmative action?" Something the political science professor wanted us to research on about.

[that-one-guy]

eRRM Cal Poly SLO and Pomona both have better engineering programs than the majority of the UCS. The best UC engineering is UCB and second best is UCSD. Althought i think CSU SLO and Pomona match up evenly with SD. UCLA is crap, most people go for the name. Believe I know people that go there and hate it.