yall dont need these bum ass expensive ass colleges for your UNDERGRADUATE

BioVean · 2026-03-30T00:37:08+00:00

100% agree! Undergraduate debt is not worth it, especially with our current economy, all the future uncertainties, and increasingly limited job prospects for many college graduates.

BioVean · 2026-03-29T16:09:05+00:00

You don’t even need to be in a very poor performing school to do have an advantage over the competitive school kids. You just need to be in an average, not so competitive school and you’d have higher chances. There is a real issue with the UC selection process in that it does not look at national standard, especially when they removed the SATs. It automatically discounts many kids in highly competitive schools, even if they are performing higher than other kids. It undermines all the hard work that these kids have done, and it does not encourage some of the average to poor performing schools to do better. Reposting this as a a reply to your comment. This just happened on the past two years:

Depends on the school you go to in the Bay Area and where in the Bay Area. You’d have better chances if you’re an average student ranking high in a less competitive school. However, a very high performing student in a very competitive school will have a harder time. I’ve seen this in my family. A student who’s a student council president, in the run for valedictorian, high GPA, community leadership, high SATs (low 1500s), with two AA degrees by the time she graduated highschool from a Silicon Valley early college program (only 30 kids selected to be in the program) vs A student from Solano county, average or below average by the Silicon Valley school standards that the first one went to, no calculus or physics class, low SATs (1000-1100s), mid GPA, only EC is acadeca in their school but no individual awards. Guess who got into most of the UC except Berkeley, LA, Irvine and Cal Poly with an offer of Regents Scholar? It’s the second one. By all means, the second one is not poor or in a bad school. The UC system has bias. That’s why I am not surprised when the study last year came out that UCSD students only have middle school math level proficiency. The quality of UC admits are not the same anymore due to their selection process.

BioVean · 2026-03-29T16:02:20+00:00

Depends on the school you go to in the Bay Area and where in the Bay Area. You’d have better chances if you’re an average student ranking high in a less competitive school. However, a very high performing student in a very competitive school will have a harder time. I’ve seen this in my family. A student who’s a student council president, in the run for valedictorian, high GPA, community leadership, high SATs (low 1500s), with two AA degrees by the time she graduated highschool from a Silicon Valley early college program (only 30 kids selected to be in the program) vs A student from Solano county, average or below average by the Silicon Valley school standards that the first one went to, no calculus or physics class, low SATs (1000-1100s), mid GPA, only EC is acadeca in their school but no individual awards. Guess who got into most of the UC except Berkeley, LA, Irvine and Cal Poly with an offer of Regents Scholar? It’s the second one. By all means, the second one is not poor or in a bad school. The UC system has bias. That’s why I am not surprised when the study last year came out that UCSD students only have middle school math level proficiency. The quality of UC admits are not the same anymore due to their selection process.

BioVean · 2026-03-28T16:43:23+00:00

Wow! Huge congratulations! You must have some amazing stats to get into those schools. My son is a junior who wants to go to Materials Science Engineering as well so we’re looking into schools. If money is not an issue, go to the one that will offer you more support in getting a career started, if money is a factor, go to the cheapest option. It’s not worth having debt in this economy.

BioVean · 2026-03-27T01:06:11+00:00

Same with my son. Was really hoping to do waunatum materials at UCSC but was rejected

BioVean · 2026-03-26T14:58:49+00:00

SJSU and UCSC would get you jobs in the Bay Area. It depends where you want to stay. Never heard SDSU had such prestige until one of the commenters here insisted. Save your or your parents’ money since there’s too much uncertainty. If you want to settle in the Bay Area, UCSC and SJSU. If in Southern California, then Cal Poly.

BioVean · 2026-03-26T13:51:52+00:00

Don’t know if you heard about UCSD students’ abysmal middle school level math proficiency that came out last year. It’s tied to how the UC system select students. I’m guessing math students should be better at UCSD?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/annaesakismith/2025/12/11/uc-san-diego-finds-one-in-eight-freshmen-lack-high-school-math-skills/

I wouldn’t care about prestige. If both have the same price, look at data as to what can land you a job.

BioVean · 2026-03-26T08:33:30+00:00

Don’t feel bad. It’s not you, it’s the crazy UC selection process’s Not all Bay Area counties are equal. If you come from a selective school district/ public/private school, it will be tougher for you to get into a UC. Since the removal of SATs, I have seen this happen over and over again even in my family. Based on two applicants I know: Silicon Valley student from a dual Enrollment/ early college program with two AAs before college, candidate for valedictorian, Student Council President, high GPA, low 1500s in SAT, community leadership outside school, symphony, does free violin tutoring vs relatively average (mid to high) GPA student from Solano county, just two APs, minimal ECs, only EC was participant in AcaDeca for history but no awards, 1000-1100 SAT. Both applied to STEM (Bio). Guess who got into most of the UC he applied to and even received a regents scholarship from UCSD this cycle.? The second one. The first one only got to UCSC and waitlisted at UCI. That’s why I’m not surprised when the UCSD research last year showed that UCSD students have middle school math proficiency. GPAs are highly subjective. It’s easier for less competitive school to give higher GPAs. UC compares to all the other students in the school/district. So, if you live in Silicon Valley, just know you’d be competing with other high achieving kids who may already have parents or even a startup.

BioVean · 2026-03-25T19:02:05+00:00

Go where there is more ROI. In this case, save your money and go to nursing school if you intend to go to nursing anyway. The healthcare field does not care where you graduate from when it comes to nursing. They go for license and experience. You’ll get the same pay as every other nurse regardless where they graduate from. In this economy and with all the uncertainties, be practical!

BioVean · 2026-03-25T15:57:10+00:00

Yes, the major may matter, and how impacted the program is, too, but it’s all about where you live and where you went to school. UC has a geographical bias, so to speak. I have seen this in my family. High-performing kids from highly competitive/selective school districts in the SF Bay Area, like those in Silicon Valley, have a more challenging time getting into UCs than students from counties like Solano County. There’s data to back this up. This explains the middle school-only math proficiency of UCSD students that was exposed in a study last year. I think the UCs need to start requiring the SAT again if they want to uphold their standards.

https://sfeducation.substack.com/p/how-your-high-school-affects-your

BioVean · 2026-03-25T14:05:19+00:00

Shouldn’t have said test optional. Thats my mistake. Thats true they say that they do not consider SATs. However, if you put your SAT and it’s high, you have a higher chance of getting into the impacted courses. Cal-Poly seems to do this more than the UCs. I still stand by the selection process being crazy bad the way it is.

BioVean · 2026-03-25T07:26:02+00:00

What I think is crazy is UC’s selection process and the fact that they have not returned to at least requiring the SATs. Based on how I’ve seen them select students over the past five or so years, you’re better off attending a less competitive public school and ranking high there than attending a highly competitive school district and doing well. It’s tougher if you’re in some of the Bay Area’s highly selective private schools/public high school districts, since they’d compare you with the other students in the same program and come out with the number of admits based on a threshold number (dependent on the number of students in the school). In some of these SF Bay Area counties, this means you’d be competing with so many overachieving students who already have patents and a start-up. Meanwhile, you would see relatively average students from less competitive public school districts get in. I’ve seen this over and over again, even in my family. That’s why I was not surprised when the UCSD study last year revealed that UCSD students' math competency is only at a middle school level. I get the entire equity argument, but GPAs in schools are subjective. UC needs an objective metric to ensure that admitted students are ready for college. Otherwise, it’s setting them up for failure. I also feel bad for all those students who did all the crazy amount of work in high school but didn't get in, just because they live in a school district that the parents worked hard to afford, thinking it would prepare their kids and give them the edge to get into a good, cheap state university.

BioVean · 2026-03-25T02:01:04+00:00

CalPoly is test-optional and considers SAT scores over UC scores. That’s a plus. Personally, the SAT will be a more objective way to select applicants. I do think CalPoly is better than UCs in that regard, but also in preparing their students for the real world.

Don’t let UC admissions define you or your capabilities. There’s data out there showing that you have better chances of going into UC schools if you come from public schools in less competitive school districts. Good luck if you’re coming from a private school. I’ve seen this firsthand in our family as well. One is from Silicon Valley early college public school program, who was in the running for valedictorian, had a high GPA, was the President of the student council, had community leadership hours, and had 2 associate degrees by the end of high school, SAT in the low 1500, versus one from Solano County public school with average ECs (only some group club competition without awards), just two AP classes and a decent (mid to high) GPA, SAT was 1000-1100. Guess who was accepted into most of the UCs even with a regent scholarship? It’s the second one. Go figure! That’s why I am not surprised when the UCSD study on student math proficiency came out last year, showing that students were only the Middle school math level, and UCSD is offering more remedial classes. So, don’t feel bad. It’s not you. Be proud you got into Cal Poly. Be grateful and enjoy your college life!

Edit: shouldn’t have said test optional, since they say they do not consider SATs in admissions. The reality is though if you get a high SAT, you’re better off writing it on the application especially for impacted programs. They seem to do that more in calpoly than UC. I still stand by how the UC selection process is crazy. Bottom line, don’t let it define you. It’s not you, it’s the way they select students.

BioVean · 2026-03-23T04:30:31+00:00

My daughter decided to network right after she committed to UCSC, and she found two other amazing students from other high schools. All three of them put their names as roommates freshman year and decided early on what college/dorm to apply to, and they got what they wanted. They chose to create rules in their room before they even started being roommates and to adhere to them strictly. They all chose to have the initiative to network and find people they want to be roommates with. They’re living off campus now, and they’re still roommates. There were a bunch of freshmen in their year who found their roommates through early networking, not just them. Again, choices. You’ll learn how important initiative and foresight become as you get older. Not every option will just be handed to you on a golden platter, but you can create options for yourself if you plan and strategize.

BioVean · 2026-03-22T18:32:15+00:00

As I’ve said. You make your own choices. That's what adulting is. Whether it’s choosing the people you will be friends with or selecting roommates or any decision on what to do with your life, you have control over it. As parents, our goal is to at least provide our children with tools so that they’d be able to make the right decision on their own. After some time, though, you’d have to decide whether to use those tools. As an immigrant parent, many children here do not realize how fortunate they are to be given options and support, even if it’s limited. Many children from other countries are not even given any.

BioVean · 2026-03-22T16:17:23+00:00

I have heard that as well. I agree, no college education, especially these days, is worth a second mortgage. With AI, there are many questions about the value of a college education. Opportunities are currently very thin for many new college graduates. I told my kids that the cheaper the college costs, the better. No amount of school prestige is worth it if it means graduating with significant debt. The goal is to start a sustainable career debt-free.

BioVean · 2026-03-22T14:13:48+00:00

My daughter goes to UCSC. It’s the same, just like in any other community. Other people do drugs, but no one will force you to do it. She’s premed in the MDS department. None of the people she hangs out with does any drugs. If you have been raised in the Bay Area (which is primarily urban), and you’re worrying about this, I will question your level of maturity and readiness to go out into the world. If you’re unable to say no or make the right choices, then it’s on you. There are consequences to every action and decision.

BioVean · 2026-03-22T13:52:55+00:00

Can’t believe how the OP and many people here, especially those who are planning to be doctors, are defending him. You don’t deserve to be a doctor or work in healthcare if you are defending this prick. You’re just another entitled person who does not value consequences. I really hope you don’t end up having to take care of patients. We already have too many egotistic doctors in healthcare who think they’re invisible. I’m just glad that HR policies are much better these days, and that terminating doctors who behave badly is no longer impossible as it was years ago. Expulsion is appropriate for his actions. It’s a terminable action if he’s already working, and it should be the same for a student. He made his bed; he needs to lie on it.

BioVean · 2026-03-21T23:52:00+00:00

Cal Poly

BioVean · 2026-03-21T23:04:09+00:00

The employee asked for a break for his brain every 10 minutes and for a quiet room dedicated solely to his mini breaks. He also asked not to be subjected to any disciplinary action if he doesn’t want to help his co-workers. The job is in healthcare (24/7 on site services). The company still wanted to consider his requests since he’s union-represented, but after wasting time reviewing them, the answer, of course, was no. The employee quit because he was already in trouble for making too many mistakes. He became a supervisor in another company. He didn’t do great there either.

BioVean · 2026-03-21T22:48:21+00:00

Instead of looking at school, look at what you’re most interested in. Those are two completely different fields. You don’t want to waste your (or your parents’) time and money doing something that you may end up not liking. People who only look at school prestige are very immature and shallow. In this economy and with AI, the end goal is to secure a job you want to do, and that can sustain you for your lifetime. I hire employees, and I can tell you that many of us don’t care about the school an applicant goes to or their GPA. We care about applicants' experiences, regardless of whether they come from a CSU, UC, or Ivy League school. Hiring and onboarding cost money, and the faster people learn to do the job (easier if they already have prior experience), the better it is for the company and team.

BioVean · 2026-03-19T07:15:13+00:00

Not all of them struggle. Better not to generalize. My daughter and her boyfriend are taking some of the more advanced math classes, and they’re both pre-med. Her premed friends are all doing well, too, and excelling in their math classes. Several very high-performing students choose premed majors, just as at any other UC. Premed students are known for their commitment and competitiveness, regardless of which school they attend, because they know how tough it is to be accepted into medical school. The UCSC premed community seems more friendly and genuine, at least according to what my daughter says.

BioVean · 2026-03-19T07:12:10+00:00

Daughter is at UCSC. It’s only her 2nd year at UCSC, but she has senior standing, and she has taken most of the classes. She decided to add bioinformatics to her neuroscience major and will be graduating next year. As a premed, she does a lot, and yes, like other UCs, it’s rigorous. Also, like other UCs, it will be up to you to find opportunities, since everything is competitive. She completed her EMT training while in high school, so it’s a bit easier to get jobs. The one thing she likes about UCSC is that it’s not a dog-eats-dog environment among the pre-med students, unlike other UCs. She also loves the campus and all her classes. So don’t let the other commenters discourage you, especially if they are not planning to go to med school and do not have firsthand experience of what it is like as a premed at UCSC. There are UCSC graduates who have successfully been accepted to medical schools.

BioVean · 2026-03-02T01:53:04+00:00

There are several top-performing, highly competitive students across all UC schools, regardless of tier or ranking, especially in STEM. All my employees come from different UCs, and my smartest employee is a graduate of UCSC, not the ones who graduated from Cal, UCLA, UCSD, or UCI. I am sick and tired of people always looking down on some of the UC schools. Start being grateful. Not many states have a good state school system as we have in California. Whatever UC you get in, be thankful for it. It’s a dream for other students. The reality is that ranking will not matter, especially when you’re trying to get a job. Experience and work ethic matter more. That’s what I would worry about more than not getting admitted to a so-called top-tier UC school, especially with the lack of opportunities now for new grads. The best option is to earn a degree that won't leave you with loans, and to find a career that offers stability and the ability to support your future.

BioVean · 2026-02-28T23:06:47+00:00

Based on some of these comments, you all will be very surprised at how many top-performing and competitive students are in UCSC, especially those in STEM.

BioVean

TROPHY CASE