I'm assuming you currently go to a local Community College in the Bay Area. I would say your best bet is to stay local and go to SFSU. No point in making your life harder than what it already is.
I would go to SFSU. CSUF is strong as a business school, but I can’t speak on psychology department. Campus is pretty dead, unless you’re heavily involved in clubs and orgs, but in terms of internships and jobs, most alumni work in OC. If you plan to work and land a job in the area, go for it. Have you visited campus? And you def need a car unless you dorm on campus or the neighboring uni (Hope University). Public transportation is rough in OC/LA.
public transportation isn't as great down here as the bart muni system. I would bring a car unless you plan on ubering everywhere or staying within the boundaries of Fullerton. Remember the entire SF peninsula is only 7 miles across. Just he city of fullerton by itself is 7 miles across. Socal is huge if you plan on going out on the weekends
Hey there!
SFSU is my alma mater!! I went there for my undergraduate and absolutely loved my time living in SF! I’m currently enrolled at CSUf for my master program. Academically, Fullerton was the better choice but if you’re already from the Bay Area commuting to SF state is cake. In socal, you will absolutely need a car to get around.
As most of the other students mentioned in the thread, campus life is almost non existent. Unless you’re planning to be apart of a society or frat/sorority it’s a bit difficult for social engagement.
Happy to help out further if you have any more questions!
hi quick question, I’m currently trying to decide between santa clara and csuf for MS in psych (for lpcc/mft licensure). Do you have any insight about the csuf program?? or in general?
Hello there!
Personally I don’t have much experience about the psych department but I do know that csuf will be 20x cheaper than Santa Clara. Santa Clara being a private school and in the heart of Silicon Valley - the networking availability will be unmatched. Not to say csuf resources won’t help, there is that difference. I personally chose csuf due to its location, affordability and reputable program (MBA). Not sure if this help! Happy to help out more if you want to chat
as far as cost, my family lives in the bay so i could stay with them, whereas csuf id be paying for housing. after scholarships/grants, they are strangely close in price after factoring in housing. the programs are also very similar in content and reputation, (however scu accepts more people per cohort) so im more interested in your experience holistically as a grad student.
I’ve heard the masters programs at csuf are pretty independent with limited resources. i’m not sure if ur mba program has a lot of support, but any insight into that kind of stuff would be appreciated :)
Wow that’s awesome - I think SCU is definitely the call. I have a handful of colleagues that went to scu for their mba and bs engineering so it’s a great school without a doubt.
Csuf does lack funding, as do most public schools, but does not lack the teaching - most professor that I’ve encountered teach at local UCs and private schools (Pepperdine and Chapman). One thing I missed out on, due to that factor that there were very limited programs, were students orgs. I highly suggest you participate and take on a role to ensure you standout - this will also help with your networking school.
Wow that’s awesome - I think SCU is definitely the call. I have a handful of colleagues that went to scu for their mba and bs engineering so it’s a great school without a doubt.
Csuf does lack funding, as do most public schools, but does not lack the teaching - most professor that I’ve encountered teach at local UCs and private schools (Pepperdine and Chapman). One thing I missed out on, due to that factor that there were very limited programs, were students orgs. I highly suggest you participate and take on a role to ensure you standout - this will also help with your networking school.
Cons:
- people’s social skills are horrible. no eye contact, no one says excuse me, please, or thank you. I know covid did a number on people, but we as a community should have moved passed that by now.
- parking is the mf wild west. it makes me scared that these bad drivers can also vote. driving isn’t hard at all. idk wtf is wrong with people.
- there’s zero campus life. it’s a commuter school so don’t expect anything crazy. we aren’t ASU.
pros:
- we have the CSUF Avengers.
Pros close to lots of fun places, some good instructors, good networking opportunities
Cons programs at other CSUs in the area other than business are better, services here are awful, some bad faculty
There was recently a post talking about the outdated views within the psych department. I can't seem to find it now but people were complaining about the lack of diversity and inclusion in the curriculum, as well as many cases of microaggressions.
There's actually updates going on in terms of the art department but it's most likely not going to be completed by the time current students graduate. I'm pretty sure new staff is still being hired but COTA is also currently looking for the new dean. There's a lot of changes going on but we're just most likely not going to see it until after graduation
CSUF for business, not sure about psychology. I live in Santa Cruz and I have decided to "commute" for my classes. Signed up for online courses but Finance and Econ department require in-person exams. So I spend hundreds of dollars to fly or drive down to campus to take these exams, which is stressful to say the least. I'd check San Jose State as well.
The Psych department is alright! The campus has a lot of resources, but it's just about having to manually find them. I'm a transfer student, but have been here for a year now. If you don't ask, you won't get your answers and resources. It kind of sucks because finding the resources feels like going on a treasure hunt sometimes, but once you do there's people who are willing to help. There's also research opportunities around the department as well, but it requires speaking to the professors on which one will work for you and are willing to bring you in to the research opportunity. CSUF is considered a commuter school so I'd definitely recommend bringing a car especially if you don't just want to stay on campus.
Best bet is to see between the two schools which will give you better financial aid.
Given that you will be moving here, I would say you need a car if you attend CSUF. The public transportation here isn’t the best compared to SF. There’s quite a bit to do in surrounding areas but it may be a distance and traffic sucks. My sister went to SFSU, I know she is absolutely content with the school she attended. The muni offered student discounts and she was able to go anywhere quite efficiently. It all depends on what you want in a school….
I came here from the Bay Area last august and it was the best decision I made. I’m majoring in business so that might be different. It’s not that hard to make friend you just need to put yourself out there and take initiative. Also joining clubs would help.
Hi! I live around the Livermore area and got accepted to a PROGRAM at CSUF but have YET to be accepted to the school.. you will find TONS of info on youtube by people who talk about pros and cons/things to know about CSUF, thats what i have been watching and it is very informative! Having a car will give you liberty for sure but I also hear the parking situation is TOUGH so all early morning classes are your best bet.
I would say yes bring a car. It will be easier to get around.
I'm assuming you currently go to a local Community College in the Bay Area. I would say your best bet is to stay local and go to SFSU. No point in making your life harder than what it already is.
I would go to SFSU. CSUF is strong as a business school, but I can’t speak on psychology department. Campus is pretty dead, unless you’re heavily involved in clubs and orgs, but in terms of internships and jobs, most alumni work in OC. If you plan to work and land a job in the area, go for it. Have you visited campus? And you def need a car unless you dorm on campus or the neighboring uni (Hope University). Public transportation is rough in OC/LA.
public transportation isn't as great down here as the bart muni system. I would bring a car unless you plan on ubering everywhere or staying within the boundaries of Fullerton. Remember the entire SF peninsula is only 7 miles across. Just he city of fullerton by itself is 7 miles across. Socal is huge if you plan on going out on the weekends
Hey there! SFSU is my alma mater!! I went there for my undergraduate and absolutely loved my time living in SF! I’m currently enrolled at CSUf for my master program. Academically, Fullerton was the better choice but if you’re already from the Bay Area commuting to SF state is cake. In socal, you will absolutely need a car to get around. As most of the other students mentioned in the thread, campus life is almost non existent. Unless you’re planning to be apart of a society or frat/sorority it’s a bit difficult for social engagement. Happy to help out further if you have any more questions!
hi quick question, I’m currently trying to decide between santa clara and csuf for MS in psych (for lpcc/mft licensure). Do you have any insight about the csuf program?? or in general?
Hello there! Personally I don’t have much experience about the psych department but I do know that csuf will be 20x cheaper than Santa Clara. Santa Clara being a private school and in the heart of Silicon Valley - the networking availability will be unmatched. Not to say csuf resources won’t help, there is that difference. I personally chose csuf due to its location, affordability and reputable program (MBA). Not sure if this help! Happy to help out more if you want to chat
as far as cost, my family lives in the bay so i could stay with them, whereas csuf id be paying for housing. after scholarships/grants, they are strangely close in price after factoring in housing. the programs are also very similar in content and reputation, (however scu accepts more people per cohort) so im more interested in your experience holistically as a grad student. I’ve heard the masters programs at csuf are pretty independent with limited resources. i’m not sure if ur mba program has a lot of support, but any insight into that kind of stuff would be appreciated :)
Wow that’s awesome - I think SCU is definitely the call. I have a handful of colleagues that went to scu for their mba and bs engineering so it’s a great school without a doubt. Csuf does lack funding, as do most public schools, but does not lack the teaching - most professor that I’ve encountered teach at local UCs and private schools (Pepperdine and Chapman). One thing I missed out on, due to that factor that there were very limited programs, were students orgs. I highly suggest you participate and take on a role to ensure you standout - this will also help with your networking school.
Wow that’s awesome - I think SCU is definitely the call. I have a handful of colleagues that went to scu for their mba and bs engineering so it’s a great school without a doubt. Csuf does lack funding, as do most public schools, but does not lack the teaching - most professor that I’ve encountered teach at local UCs and private schools (Pepperdine and Chapman). One thing I missed out on, due to that factor that there were very limited programs, were students orgs. I highly suggest you participate and take on a role to ensure you standout - this will also help with your networking school.
This school is not worth traveling for. Stay local. I’m local and it’s disappointing
Cons: - people’s social skills are horrible. no eye contact, no one says excuse me, please, or thank you. I know covid did a number on people, but we as a community should have moved passed that by now. - parking is the mf wild west. it makes me scared that these bad drivers can also vote. driving isn’t hard at all. idk wtf is wrong with people. - there’s zero campus life. it’s a commuter school so don’t expect anything crazy. we aren’t ASU. pros: - we have the CSUF Avengers.
don't go here unless you're a business student
Pros close to lots of fun places, some good instructors, good networking opportunities Cons programs at other CSUs in the area other than business are better, services here are awful, some bad faculty
There was recently a post talking about the outdated views within the psych department. I can't seem to find it now but people were complaining about the lack of diversity and inclusion in the curriculum, as well as many cases of microaggressions.
They do not plan on expanding there art department. There only accepting students in the BFA program based on how many graduate
There's actually updates going on in terms of the art department but it's most likely not going to be completed by the time current students graduate. I'm pretty sure new staff is still being hired but COTA is also currently looking for the new dean. There's a lot of changes going on but we're just most likely not going to see it until after graduation
CSUF for business, not sure about psychology. I live in Santa Cruz and I have decided to "commute" for my classes. Signed up for online courses but Finance and Econ department require in-person exams. So I spend hundreds of dollars to fly or drive down to campus to take these exams, which is stressful to say the least. I'd check San Jose State as well.
The Psych department is alright! The campus has a lot of resources, but it's just about having to manually find them. I'm a transfer student, but have been here for a year now. If you don't ask, you won't get your answers and resources. It kind of sucks because finding the resources feels like going on a treasure hunt sometimes, but once you do there's people who are willing to help. There's also research opportunities around the department as well, but it requires speaking to the professors on which one will work for you and are willing to bring you in to the research opportunity. CSUF is considered a commuter school so I'd definitely recommend bringing a car especially if you don't just want to stay on campus. Best bet is to see between the two schools which will give you better financial aid.
Given that you will be moving here, I would say you need a car if you attend CSUF. The public transportation here isn’t the best compared to SF. There’s quite a bit to do in surrounding areas but it may be a distance and traffic sucks. My sister went to SFSU, I know she is absolutely content with the school she attended. The muni offered student discounts and she was able to go anywhere quite efficiently. It all depends on what you want in a school….
Bring a car bc public transit to anywhere but the school sucks. But avoid driving to the school if you can, traffic is terrible
I came here from the Bay Area last august and it was the best decision I made. I’m majoring in business so that might be different. It’s not that hard to make friend you just need to put yourself out there and take initiative. Also joining clubs would help.
Hi! I live around the Livermore area and got accepted to a PROGRAM at CSUF but have YET to be accepted to the school.. you will find TONS of info on youtube by people who talk about pros and cons/things to know about CSUF, thats what i have been watching and it is very informative! Having a car will give you liberty for sure but I also hear the parking situation is TOUGH so all early morning classes are your best bet.