Having spent adequate time at both educational institutions, I think it’s about time to compare the merits and disadvantages of each. This is based on my experiences primarily and does not largely reflect the views of everyone I have come into contact with over the years.
1. Student Population
CSUF has 32,328 undergraduates and 5,349 postgraduates.
UCSD has 22,676 undergraduates and 6,376 postgraduates.
It’s hard to definitively say whether having a bigger or smaller campus population is better or not. On the bright side, there is less competition for classes. At the same time having a bigger population allows for a greater potential to meet lifelong friends or even “the one”. Therefore, I give each school a point in this arena.
CSUF: +1
UCSD: +1
2. Parking
Let’s be honest. Parking is terrible on both campuses, and not to mention massively overpriced. To compensate both schools provide “free” bus service to students, which is in fact mostly subsidized by student fees. -1 to both schools
CSUF: 0
UCSD: 0
3. Social Life
I’ve had a reasonable amount of time to assess the social interactions between students and one another. I have come to the conclusion that CSUF is largely a commuter school, with more students going to class and going home, not participating in various organizations and activities available to them. At the same time, UCSD often gets the misconceived notion that it is “socially dead”, when in reality, social interactions are largely derived from how hard you actually try to have them. UCSD has more money flowing inside of it, dispersed by the Associated Students back to the organizations, and more students participating in various clubs. The list of active clubs at UCSD trumps the list at CSUF, and subsequently UCSD wins its first category.
UCSD: +1
CSUF: 0
4. Walking
One of the benefits of CSUF is that is is a pretty centralized school in term of its compactness. You can get from class to class in virtually 2 minutes. UCSD was built on a hill, and its courses span 6 different campuses, and subsequently makes getting from Point A to Point B particularly difficult. Examine the picture below, where getting from Warren Lecture Hall to York Hall within 10 minutes is practically impossible (and not to mention up a hill).
Less walking makes me happy. GO Titans.
UCSD: 1
CSUF: +1
5. The Library
Being a grade-chaser at both schools allowed me to spend ample time in both libraries. CSUF’s Pollak library is nice, has plenty of computers, as well as study rooms to keep me occupied. At the same time, UCSD’s Geisel has all of these things, while at the exact same time looks like a spaceship. Geisel’s design ultimately wins with its 8 floors, and its imitation in the movie Inception. Go Tritons.
UCSD: +2
CSUF: 1
6. The Food
Both schools have their fair share of fast food rich in trans fat for the average commuter student. At the same time, despite having 6 dining halls, UCSD’s food does not measure up to CSUF’s gastronome. Maybe it’s the fact that I lived in Warren college, but I have to admit that their food was unappetizing and avoidable in my 3 years living on campus.
UCSD: 2
CSUF: +2
7. The Six-College System
The Six-College system (Harry Potter style) of dividing UCSD into various campuses happened in response to the student protests of the 1960s’. In the time the school was built administrators did not want a central area for students to meet, protest, and disseminate ideas (they somehow still did, with the burning man in front of York Hall, but that’s besides the point). The problem with this system is that is largely separates students, making them more proud of their distinctive college (Warren, Muir, ERC, Revelle, Marshall, Sixth) than their actual school. At least CSUF is loosely prideful and self-aware.
UCSD: 2
CSUF: +3
8. Quarter System vs. Semester System
This question has been tackled before in a previous blog article, but the flexibility of the semester system largely outweighs the pace of the quarter system, making CSUF a much “easier” school so to speak.
UCSD: 2
CSUF: +4
9. The Gym
RIMAC at UCSD is a world-renowned gym that is also used for conventions, concerts, trade shows, and other purposes (Even Bill Clinton and Conan O’Brian came here and filled the prospective 5,000 person stadium easily). Lebron James also has his summer camp here every year. The CSUF Student Recreational Center largely remains that, a “student center”, one that requires students to inconveniently re-register for gym admission every semester.
UCSD: +3
CSUF: 4
10. SunGod Festival
The major thing that brings UCSD together is its annual sungod festival. Even though arguably the lineup has been getting worse every year, the amount of attendees and major campus pride it brings largely outweighs that of CSUF’s Annual Spring Concert.
UCSD: +4
CSUF: 4
11. Professors/Students
I’m going to be honest. I’ve had my share of bad professors at both institutions (either because they’re lazy, terrible, or focused primarily on doing research). At the same time I’ve encountered dumb people at both institutions. To largely say students are smarter at UCSD because it’s a UC is not acceptable because students might be compelled to go to CSUF for either a specific program or because of financial constraints. I will say the workload at CSUF was much easier for me, perhaps more because of the semester system than anything else. Neither side wins.
UCSD: 4
CSUF: 4
12. School Mascots
UCSD’s mascot is King Triton, the king of the sea. CSUF’s mascot is Tuffy the Titan, an elephant, and arguably a symbol of the Republican party. Though Tuffy is indeed cute, I’m pretty sure King Triton can destroy it in a second. Easy point.
UCSD: +5
CSUF: 4
13. D1
CSUF has D1 sports. Neither school has a football team. Though I’d make the argument that sports are essentially useless, they do bring a source of revenue and pride to the school. CSUF wins.
UCSD: 5
CSUF: +5
14. Surrounding Neighborhoods
CSUF is in the heart of Fullerton, a very college-friendly environment. UCSD is in La Jolla, which essentially is full of mostly rich people. Needless to say, it doesn’t give a “college-town” environment.
UCSD: 5
CSUF: +6
15. Outside Food
Both schools have great food places outside of it, CSUF noticeable for the Habit and Pieology and UCSD for its massive amount of restaurants and local eateries. Heck, it fed me for 4 years. At the same time, UCSD has one thing CSUF doesn’t: Phil’s BBQ. That in, the end, makes it a huge winner.
UCSD: +6
CSUF: 6
16. Friends
Ask me a year ago and I would have most definitely UCSD. However, given the amount of relationships I’ve accumulated this year at CSUF, I can largely say these friendships can grow into something more post-college if I attempt my best at nurturing them. Because I value every single person I’ve met both this year at CSUF and at UCSD, there’s no way I can reasonably say one set of friends is better than other. I will say I do miss interacting with UCSD friends, especially the ones I’ve lost contact with over the course of the year. 4 points for each.
UCSD: +10
CSUF: +10
17. Majors
Though I felt my Communications degree at UCSD amounted to not really being used, I did feel plenty of happiness having a double major at UCSD. At the same time, being accepted into the Credential Program at CSUF brings me one step closer to my “life-goal” of being a teacher. Self-actualization, here I come.
UCSD: 10
CSUF: +11
18. Art
The Stewart Art collection at UCSD is one of the greatest collections I have seen. I’ve seen some art at CSUF, but it’s mostly lacking in my personal opinion (especially the statue that’s broken hehe).
UCSD: +11
CSUF: 11
19. Dorming vs. Commuting
The dorming experience is amazing, and largely overshadows all the commuting I’ve done this year. More info here.
UCSD: +12
CSUF: 11
20. Quality of Dorms
At the same time, having been in both dorms, I’ll be honest to say some of the apartments at UCSD were run-down (mostly due to age). The elevators were also slow, and the design not that aesthetically pleasing. Having newer dorms gives CSUF a major advantage.
UCSD: 12
CSUF: +12
21. Cliques
Ain’t nobody messing with my clique. clique. clique. I’ve had my share of cliques at both institutions. It took me a while to finally come to the realization that it’s best to refrain from them, and instead focus on making as many high-quality friends as possible.
UCSD: 12
CSUF: 12
22. Downtown Environment
PACIFIC BEACH. San Diego downtown. All the bars. Downtown San Diego > Downtown Fullerton mostly because of size, amount of bars, and experience.
UCSD: +13
CSUF: 12
23. Weather
San Diego weather largely remains 10 degrees less “hot” than CSUF weather. Because I remain largely NOT a fan of the sun, I don’t mind going for that.
UCSD: +14
CSUF: 12
24. The Beach
UCSD is located very closely to a beach (though arguably not as close as UCSB). Though many people would see this as a positive, I see it as a negative, mostly due to my negative experiences in said environment (getting lost, breaking ipod, etc.). CSUF thus wins by being “farther away” from a beach.
UCSD: 14
CSUF: +13
25. The Memories
And yet, at the same time, if I had to make a decision, I’d choose UCSD. As my alma matter, it’ll ALWAYS have a special place in my book. Though CSUF is largely shaping up to be exceeding my expectations, this is largely due to the friends I’ve met in Circle K more-so than any of the factors listed above.
In the end I <24 my alma matter, I <24 san diego, and I will always remember UCSD.
Your turn to vote!
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This is so cute (:
Miss you, John!!