How is the Cal State system looked at in the State, nationwide and around the world? (Long Beach: transplants, schools)

[radiolibre99]

I have the option of going to Cal Poly Pomona but there is an even closer program to me at Northridge. The Polys (Pomona and SLO) I already know have good academic reputations, but what about the rest of Cal State?

I just want to know how people view the Cal State system in the State. I would like to hear from all types of people; native Californians, transplants and internationals.

Does it have cache outside of California?

[disgruntled la native]

Long Beach and Northridge are pretty well respected too, especially some of their graduate programs. of course, UCs are always more prestigious, but these days its not the university that matters so much, but how well you do, what you major in, and how many connections you make.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

Long Beach and Northridge are pretty well respected too, especially some of their graduate programs. of course, UCs are always more prestigious, but these days its not the university that matters so much, but how well you do, what you major in, and how many connections you make.

Of course its all about your major. I went to a top ten school but majored in something impractical. Now il going back and doing what every smart kid in the state did; went to the cheaper state school and majored in something practical.

Is Cal State Northridge really one of the better renown ones? I just want to make sure before I invest in another degree.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Of course its all about your major. I went to a top ten school but majored in something impractical. Now il going back and doing what every smart kid in the state did; went to the cheaper state school and majored in something practical.

Is Cal State Northridge really one of the better renown ones? I just want to make sure before I invest in another degree.

Harrier is majoring in history at Cal Poly Pomona.

He was academically eligible for guaranteed admission to a UC school, but ultimately chose Cal Poly Pomona for a variety of reasons and could not be more pleased with his decision.

Cal Poly Pomona has three schools that are in the tops of their league - Agriculture, Engineering, and Hospitality Management.

The other areas of study may not be as highly regarded, but this is still Cal Poly Pomona, and you are going to get a quality education no matter what may be your major.

It is Harrier's understanding that CPP's graduate program in education(for teachers) is also first rate.

Go Broncos!

[genjy]

Cal Poly Pomona grad here. Got my bachelor's and master's there.

Also went to CSULB for a while for another to pursue another graduate degree. CSULB is a great school, but it doesn't feel as academically rigorous as Cal Poly Pomona.

I still have all my old CPP Bronco t-shirts.

[radiolibre99]

I've always saw the Cal Polys as different than the other Cal States. They have much more academic recognition.

I was wondering if a practical degree from Cal State Northridge would be a good investment.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

I've always saw the Cal Polys as different than the other Cal States. They have much more academic recognition.

I was wondering if a practical degree from Cal State Northridge would be a good investment.

It depends what the degree program you are seeking.

Harrier doesn't know much about CSUN, but if you feel that a "practical" degree will help you, live in the CSUN area, then Northridge won't be a problem.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by Harrier

Harrier is majoring in history at Cal Poly Pomona.

He was academically eligible for guaranteed admission to a UC school, but ultimately chose Cal Poly Pomona for a variety of reasons and could not be more pleased with his decision.

Cal Poly Pomona has three schools that are in the tops of their league - Agriculture, Engineering, and Hospitality Management.

The other areas of study may not be as highly regarded, but this is still Cal Poly Pomona, and you are going to get a quality education no matter what may be your major.

It is Harrier's understanding that CPP's graduate program in education(for teachers) is also first rate.

Go Broncos!

History isn't a useful degree at all, and that's an understatement.. I'm afraid to say I speak from experience, from a higher ranked school. Took a lot of work and starting over to find another career that makes a living.

In the end I don't think the school you go to matters so much as your major and your personal accomplishments/networking/activities. You can go to Harvard and major in history or english and be worse off than a CSUN engineering grad.

[Adelaidean]

I'd say there's very little brand recognition of Cal State schools abroad; in fact, generally only top-tier state schools would be well-regarded overseas from a general/business perspective (Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, etc). From an academic point of view, that's a bit different -certainly lower-ranked UCs, at least, are well-known to overseas professors (UCSB, UCD, etc). Cal Poly might be as well in certain fields; CSUN, I doubt it - though feel free to correct me about specific fields, I'm looking at it from a humanities/social sciences perspective.

Above posters have emphasised the importance of your major, which is certainly correct, but there is something significant to your school's reputation. I think the real value of the school prestige/quality is that the better your school's perceived quality, the lower the grades that prospective employers/grad schools will accept from an applicant from that institution. All things being equal, a 3.3 GPA from Cal Poly might beat out a 3.5 from CSUN in, say, chemistry (just by way of example). A 3.0 GPA from Berkeley gets a shot alongside a 3.9 GPA applicant from Sacramento State, etc, etc.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

I've always saw the Cal Polys as different than the other Cal States. They have much more academic recognition.

You're right about that.