Hey guys, college student here in need of advice (Long Beach: credit, home)

[iJazzy]

After reading all of the CSULA posts, I feel really uneasy. My counselor at my CC gave me three options: CSULA, CSULB, and CSUDH.
I am majoring in Accounting, and I live in North Hills so the closest one is CSULA (I think.)
The problem is that I am scared to attend because of what I've heard about the area surrounding the college.
Also, Long Beach is very far...
Would it be worth it to switch the classes I have to take for University requirements and find a way to attend USC, or do you think I will be alright?
Are there any public alternatives to these schools, say a school that focuses solely on Accounting?
I can't afford these damn private schools.

[Island_OnThe_Land]

Why not CSUN....it's right next to you and they have a VERY GOOD regional rep. for business/accounting???

I think of the three you have targeted....CSULB has the BEST academic reputation. I wouldn't let the "area" surrounding CSULA deter you. USC isn't exactly in the nicest part of town either.

[iJazzy]

Apparently my counselor didn't give it to me as a choice. I am thinking about talking to them again to see if I have a chance.
I forgot, USC is near Crenshaw... ugh.
Besides, my boyfriend and I are thinking about moving to Culver City since he works there.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by iJazzy

After reading all of the CSULA posts, I feel really uneasy. My counselor at my CC gave me three options: CSULA, CSULB, and CSUDH.
I am majoring in Accounting, and I live in North Hills so the closest one is CSULA (I think.)
The problem is that I am scared to attend because of what I've heard about the area surrounding the college.
Also, Long Beach is very far...
Would it be worth it to switch the classes I have to take for University requirements and find a way to attend USC, or do you think I will be alright?
Are there any public alternatives to these schools, say a school that focuses solely on Accounting?
I can't afford these damn private schools.

USC is a private school.

Anyways, CSUN or CSULB are your best options. California Community College credits should transfer to any CSU, not just the ones you mentioned(at least the ones on the CSU track in CC, same goes for the UC track CC classes)

[Island_OnThe_Land]

Originally Posted by iJazzy

Apparently my counselor didn't give it to me as a choice. I am thinking about talking to them again to see if I have a chance.
I forgot, USC is near Crenshaw... ugh.
Besides, my boyfriend and I are thinking about moving to Culver City since he works there.

If you move to Culver City than Long Beach would work fine.....not a bad option at all. Plus, the summers in Culver City are very nice (beats the valley). CSULB has a lot interesting events going on too....concerts, etc.

[iJazzy]

USC is a private school.

Anyways, CSUN or CSULB are your best options. California Community College credits should transfer to any CSU, not just the ones you mentioned(at least the ones on the CSU track in CC, same goes for the UC track CC classes)

I know USC is a private school, but because it's a business school, I'm debating on whether or not it will be worth it for me to forfeit my dependents' benefits (I go to school for free as long as it's public) and go there for Accounting. I've been there many times and feel comfortable (my uncle also went there)
I will talk with my counselor about other options, she really didn't give me a list of courses to take for other colleges, only the three I mentioned.

[the one]

the area around CSULA is not bad. particularly north and east of it in alhambra. or south and east towards ELAC. seriously, the hype and rep it gets for being dangerous ius overblown. ive known plenty of people who have worked, played and attended classes at CSULA without incident. people who lived in the neighboring areas and apts as well.

since you are choosing between LB state AND cal stat LA, i would opt for LB. its a nicer campus and a more laid back vibe. the area is also "safer". one good site to check out is the LA times homicide map. input an address and it tells you how many people have been murdered within a particualr radius of that address.

good luck.

[iJazzy]

Originally Posted by the one

the area around CSULA is not bad. particularly north and east of it in alhambra. or south and east towards ELAC. seriously, the hype and rep it gets for being dangerous ius overblown. ive known plenty of people who have worked, played and attended classes at CSULA without incident. people who lived in the neighboring areas and apts as well.

since you are choosing between LB state AND cal stat LA, i would opt for LB. its a nicer campus and a more laid back vibe. the area is also "safer". one good site to check out is the LA times homicide map. input an address and it tells you how many people have been murdered within a particualr radius of that address.

good luck.

Oh well the homicide map makes me feel so much better! :P
Lol, thank you for the help.
I'm thinking either LB or CSUN now... just have to find the means to move to Culver, or maybe even LB.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by iJazzy

I know USC is a private school, but because it's a business school, I'm debating on whether or not it will be worth it for me to forfeit my dependents' benefits (I go to school for free as long as it's public) and go there for Accounting. I've been there many times and feel comfortable (my uncle also went there)
I will talk with my counselor about other options, she really didn't give me a list of courses to take for other colleges, only the three I mentioned.

The requirements are the same. The CSU system and Community College system are all managed by statewide education agencies that make it easy to go from one to the other without issue. The only difference is that some seem to have preferred admissions over others to certain schools(Like Santa Monica CC to UCLA for instance). That may be what you are encountering.

Since you're considering USC, Chapman is also a well respected business school in the area, but would require a relocation since it's in the heart of Orange County(but the cost of living is cheaper in OC than LAC)

But since you're getting a free education, I'd take advantage of that before any other option.

[iJazzy]

The whole issue compy is my boyfriend's job. He works in Culver City... relocating would be a big issue.
I guess my best bet is to wait for my boyfriend to get home and talk with him about moving to Culver soon (we've been talking about it for a while) and commuting from Culver to North Hills and back, or from Culver to Long Beach and back.
Which do you think would be more efficient?