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should i go to COLLEGE in SAN FRANCISCO?

Hello all. I posted this topic over on the Lonely Planet's BB this past weekend. I'm a college student to-be and I have been giving serious thought to moving from here (NYC) to SF this August. If you could please give the below a read, and provide me with tips, insights, etc, I'd very much appreciate it... "Should I go to college in San Francisco?" This topic was created by Nicoletta [Sat 4 March, 11:12 Tasmanian Standard Time] Is it student-friendly? What's the scene like there? Any tips on finding housing? [There are 8 posts - the latest was added on Sun 5 March, 2:27] 1.Which college? Added by: curly sue [Timestamp: Sat 4 March, 11:26 Tasmanian Standard Time] Which college are you planning on attending? What are you planning to study? You might want to think about living on campus because housing can be expensive and difficult to find otherwise. 2.Two options Added by: Nicoletta [Timestamp: Sat 4 March, 11:36 Tasmanian Standard Time] The University of San Francisco or option two (which might be better..and more money friendly) city college of san francisco: Under the honors program I could fufill all my general ed requirements and then hopefully transfer into Berkeley. 3.where are you from? Added by: hannah [timestamp: Sat 4 March, 12:14 Tasmanian Standard Time] what do you want to study?? give us some more info.. 4.Sure... Added by: Nicoletta [Timestamp: Sat 4 March, 12:46 Tasmanian Standard Time] I live out east and I'm looking for a change. Most likely looking to study international relations or anthropology. 5.THis is the worst housing market in the country Added by: yikes [Timestamp: Sat 4 March, 14:08 Tasmanian Standard Time] Astronomically expensive, and hard to find. Spend a lot of time looking. 6.The above is correct Added by: Bob [Timestamp: Sat 4 March, 15:36 Tasmanian Standard Time] If you are from back east you would be surprized to pay $1000 a month for a studio. But if you are from SF you accept the fact. 7.study in SF Added by: Cal [Timestamp: Sat 4 March, 19:46 Tasmanian Standard Time] Look around the whole area and maybe you'll find an alternative that's cheaper and which is still in the general region and accessible to SF. There are colleges and universities in Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Sacramento (more than a couple of hours away, but also near rivers, mountains, etc. and cheaper than the Bay Area), and other areas. 8.Craigslist Added by: Nicoletta [Timestamp: Sun 5 March, 2:27 Tasmanian Standard Time] I've been spending sometime at the site and it appears that rooms can be rented for as low as $500 (utl included)...since I'm not looking for a place of my own...(actually would prefer rooming with others)...do you think I have a shot at rentals? Also, I would like to move-in August of this year...when should I begin looking?

SF has basically 4 colleges/universities to choose from: SanFrancisco University: A private Catholic school, be sure you get accepted before moving our San Francisco State: Part of the California State University division UCSF: Part of the University of California Division. Primarily a medical college, be sure you can get accepted before you come out City College: basic no-frills city college, takes all comers. There are also a number of Higher Education facilities in the East Bay Berkeley/Oakland/Hayward. Except for private schools like Mills College, these may be a less expensive option. Housing here is ridiculously expensive. Even for a just a room in a house. I suspect ads for rooms at $500 may be in very unsuitable areas. Lastly, Don't bank on being able to transfer into UC Berkeley. Competition for admission to that school is fierce. I'm not saying it won't happen, but I don't think it's highly likely. If I were you I would seriously investigate the other schools in the are before making any decisions. If you do decide to come, come in July so that you have enough time to find housing and a job if you need one.

One should choose a college based upon what it is you hope/plan to major in. You really haven't given any indication as to what you are using as criteria or why you're considering San Francisco. At this point your grade would be an incomplete.

Nicoletta: Great idea to ask for advise on a travel forum regarding where you should attend college! I'm sure the "scene" and the availability of off-campus housing are by far the most important considerations in selecting a college and career!

if you want to go to college this fall, shouldn't you already have applied and been accepted? and i do think it's odd to research colleges on a travel site. but hey whatever works. the reality is most of us, Me included, spend more time in college socializing and quickly become masters at doing the minimum needed to get the grades we find acceptable. so in light of that, maybe you should pick your college based on the social scene.

i've already been accepted to university of san francisco and san francisco state. i've thoroughly investigated all schools in regards to my academic needs and i've spoken to the city college of sf and berkeley regarding transfer admissions. [incidentally berkelely accepted 2400 transfer students last year, 2000 of them came from CA state junior/community colleges alone. since my sat scores are stellar and since i'm fairly certain i will be able to maintain the 3.0 transger gpa needed (for non preprofessional programs) i suspect that although nothing is guaranteed, i have a fairly decent shot.] now, if you had read my initial post you would have quickly realized that admissions was not a topic i wanted to be addressed. the reason i posted this on a travel message board is for the very same reason others post here for info regarding housing markets in various areas of the country. since many of you are bay area, or more specifically sf natives, i thought you could accurately provide me answers to the aforementioned questions. (evidentially i was wrong to think in such a manner.) god knows i'm sorry to have inconvenienced you in anyway. please accept my sincere apologies for being such an utter nuisance. fare thee well, nicoletta

Nicoletta: I didn't respond earlier because I was sure that San Fran residents would. However, it doesn't seem so. My family lives in So Cal, and our youngest daughter received her B.A. from USF in 1998. She had a wonderful experience there and is changed forever! There is nothing like a Jesuit education for developing critical thinking skills and the ability to express yourself clearly in any situation. She lived on-campus the entire time - it was much less expensive and we couldn't afford the alternative. But, as a Senior she lived on Lone Mountain in a large beautiful room with a great view of the bridge and bay. At least while she was there, the university guaranteed housing to the students, and it's a sweet deal. The city is fantastic for and to students. At least visit if you have time, as I believe that you probably have until April to make your final decision. Also, perhaps if you e-mail me, I could get my daughter to answer some of your questions. She is a regular visitor to the area, as many of her college friends still live in the bay area.

"Should I go to College in San Francisco?" ......seems like a college planning/admissions topic to me! Perhaps your forthcoming college education will assist in developing clarity in written expression.

With one very fine exception (Mary), it is clear none of the responses have come from anyone with a child who has gone through this. If you can get into university housing, go for it for your first year. You need to focus on your course work and not have to worry about rent, furniture, transportation,(although that's not really a prob in SF) food, roommates who suddenly have no $$, etc. Yes, even with stellar SATs and a high GPA. You WILL be challenged. San Francisco is a fabulous city, and I think going to college there would be an extraordinary experience.

nicoletta: I personally believe that you should go for it. San Francisco is a great city and will be a fantastic experience for you. Yes, housing is expensive here though probably not as bad as NYC. Don't let folks scare you off with their horror stories. With a little patience and luck you will find adequate housing and get settled in nicely. My daughter moved out here from Florida 1 1/2 years ago. She works in downtown San Francisco and was able to find housing that was suitable and didn't break the bank. The experience of living in San Francisco surpasses any of these other little problems. You will do just fine. Good luck!!

Mary, Diane, and Salley: Thank you very much for taking the time to post. I appreciate your assistance greatly. ~N

Nicoletta, S.F. is a wonderful city for students (with the exception of scarce and expensive housing) - public trans, diverse population, youth-oriented entertainment. As a grad of SF State, I would caution you that it is a commuter campus - not noted for its social life. It's also in the foggy/damper part of town. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I'm a graduate of the UC system (UCLA) and it isn't that easy to get in to Berkeley, even as a transfer student and even if you have high grades and are a state resident. I believe their acceptance rate for transfer students from California state-funded colleges such as CCs or the State college system(who have some priority, I think, in transfers) is probably only 25-33 pct in the social sciences. In short, the odds are greater than you will not be admitted than that you will, so you should think carefully about whether you would be satisfied with your choice if you don't get into Berkeley. Academically, if you have high SATs etc you shouldn't be going to second/third rate schools like USF or SF state (neither of which is exactly on the top list for academic reputation and quality); if you haven't applied or been admitted to a better university (most of the California universities in the UC system are of better quality than those), then they may be okay if you just want an adequate education and want to experience San Francisco. Both Berkeley and Stanford, for example, are top-notch in international relations, I think. If you've been admitted to better quality schools than USF and SF State, I would probably go there as your college education is really a major investment that will matter for a long time, it can really seriously affect your career prospects, I've seen it happen a lot. I think San Francisco is a great city and a lot of fun (one of my most favorite cities in the world), but probably only feasible economically if you get student housing. If getting a good degree from a good school is really important to you, I would probably think carefully about going to second rate schools with the hopes of being admitted to Berkeley; maybe you will be, but it is more likely you won't, based on statistics (and social science disciplines such as the ones you desire are the most difficult to get admitted into as they have the most applicants, I think). If you just want an average education and don't have better alternatives, I'd definitely move to San Francisco as a student as you probably won't be able to afford it afterwards (rents are about like NYC). If you're the gambling kind and want to count on those 1/4 to 1/3 odds of getting into Berkeley, then I'd go, also.

Juliet: Thanks for that...VERY very helpful. Best, Nicoletta