Long Beach State University, San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, LA State University?

Question

Sorry for the long title but i'm interested in applying to all the colleges i listed above.

Long Beach State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose State University
LA State University

Which is better education wise? I'll be going into Computer Science as my major. Also how are the surrounding areas of each colleges? Which is better?

I also wanted to know what were my chances at each colleges.

GPA: 2.469

SAT Scores
Critical Reading:380
Math:440
Writing:390
Total:1210

After School activities: French Club, Anime club.

Nationality:France
Other ethnic backgrounds: very small percent of arabic backgrounds i believe.

Classes:
English: 4 years
English 1, 2, 3, 4.
History: 2 years
US History 1, 2.
Foreign Language: 4 years
French 1 CP, 2 CP, 3 CP, 4 CP.
Math: 4 years
Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus CP.
Science: 3 years
Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
Social Studies: 2 years
Social Study, Psychology CP.
Electives: 5
Art 1, Visual Basic, C++, Psychology CP, Computer Software App.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, your GPA will make it extremely difficult to get into any of them. San Jose State and San Francisco State report that only 4% of their admitted students have GPAs under 2.5, CSULB reports 1%, and Cal State L.A. reports that none of their students have GPAs under 3.0. The exceptions probably have really high SAT scores, but yours fall below the "middle 50%" on all of them. You may need to start out at a community college and transfer after two years, which isn't the worst thing ever to happen to anyone.

As far as surrounding area goes, I can really only speak to the ones in Southern California, but CSULB is in a nice part of Long Beach (my parents live a few blocks from campus, I grew up there, and it was very safe and upscale); Cal State L.A. is not in the greatest of areas, but it doesn't seem to be particularly unsafe, and there are a lot of areas nearby which have become rather trendy lately, so it is possible to live nicely and not be too far from campus.

Answer 2

Firstly, all these schools are in the 2nd tier California State University system, and to really have a competitive chance of getting into any of them as an incoming freshman you really need at least a 3.0 (no matter how good your SAT/ACT scores are).

Also, just to save you any possible embarrassment ... schools in the California State University system have different monikers. For instance ... San Luis Obispo is a 'Cal Poly,' while San Diego is referred to as a 'State,' and 'San Bernardino' puts a 'CSU' in front of its name. While they are all part of the same system, and, technically, all California State Universities they have different ways of being referred to. Los Angeles is a CSU ... you would say "I go to CSU Los Angeles." However if you went to Fullerton you would say "I go to Cal State Fullerton ..." Doesn't make a lot of sense when you sit and think about it, but thats just the way it is ...

Answer 3

For SJSU, your GPA needs to be higher for your intended major. SJSU rarely admits 2.0 range applicants. I got provisionally admitted into B.S Justice studies with a 3.39 GPA from a Junior College. SJSU is turning into a Perdue type university regarding selectiveness. You need to have a competitive GPA to even have a chance, and 2.4 will not cut it in computer science.

Answer 4

Living wise they all such. Worst areas of the town for all of them, worst town for all of them.

Long Beach has a pretty good reputation. So does San Francisco State and it might be the best location wise, unless you drive a stick (lots of hills in San Francisco).