This is very subjective, but if you’re looking for a well-rounded and diverse experience, then avoid technical schools that specialize in specific majors unless that’s your field. On the other hand, well-known state-funded schools offer a more diverse and rounded experience. Do your research, but be sure to take any negative reviews or personal rants with a grain of salt. You will find sob stories and personal rants about certain schools, but try to keep things in perspective.
Worst College in California
1. University of California: Santa Cruz
Education here is good for undergrads, though comparable and in some sense less than at CSUs. All UCs are like this. It’s a graduate school, and that can translate into very good options for undergrads to gain lab or research experience, which is valuable for many students. In the grand scheme of things, students are receiving a valuable education here, relative to the rest of the world.
As far as administration is concerned, there aren’t enough staff members. They are doing the jobs of two or more people, and there’s a high turnover rate for lower-level positions. This is mainly because pay scales are apparently not universally defined across divisions or even departments. It’s a problem, that undergrads often talk about getting inaccurate or poorly timed advising.
There are legitimate problems with UCSC, mostly related to the fact that the infrastructure can currently only support about half to two-thirds of the current student population, and that infrastructure is built into a difficult geography. There’s not enough living space, and there are far from enough food options available. The bus routes are routinely delayed, and the buses are crammed because the capacity isn’t there. It just hasn’t been built up to support the number of students present, and this is the most contentious issue in the city.
2. University of California Merced
UC Merced is the worst college due to many people have a problem with its acceptance rate and perceived ‘prestige’. While it’s true that UC Merced is located in a more isolated area, it’s not as remote as some might think – it’s only about a two-hour drive from Berkeley and Silicon Valley. A new state-of-the-art medical hospital is currently under construction, which will further enhance the campus’s resources and opportunities.
Just as UC Riverside has become increasingly competitive in recent years, UC Merced is also poised to become a more competitive and attractive option for students in the future. Many people dislike it because it’s over 90% acceptance rate. People correlate acceptance rate with education when that is not true for UC Merced.
3. San Francisco State University
Whether you will like SF depends on what you like to do and value, so enjoy learning about accepting the outcomes of making grown-up decisions. Your whole life is ahead of you, and with a good attitude, you can have the time of your life.
It’s not a university like those depicted in movies, but it excels in education quality and accessibility.
If you focus on academics, you’ll get out of it what you put in. Join clubs or sports to make great friends from diverse backgrounds. Most students are commuters, and many have working lives outside the typical 18-23 age bracket. Some students are still figuring things out, but that’s okay.
4. University of California LA (UCLA)
Let’s be real, many community college profs are often better and more caring. But UCLA has a beautiful campus, delicious food, and is at a prime LA location. And let’s not forget that UCLA on your resume gets you ahead in the job hunt. It will land you an interview and the job with minimal experience, all thanks to the name UCLA.
5. University of California Davis
UC Davis has decent housing and excellent transportation options. While the quality of instruction is reasonable, the sheer scale of the university can be overwhelming, with large lower-division classes and potential feelings of isolation. Despite this, people are generally friendly, although making meaningful connections can be challenging.
Counselors can be difficult to access, and setting up student health insurance can be confusing. However, once functional, the healthcare is above average.
Campus life is relatively chill, with occasional busyness, but trouble is usually avoidable. And, as a bonus, parking is surprisingly easy, although expensive.
6. University of Southern California (USC)
USC’s reputation as the University of Second Choice or the University of Spoiled Children didn’t come from nowhere. In California, it has always played second fiddle to UCLA/Berkeley and attracted students with more money than sense (like the Kardashians, one of whom even attended). This begs the question: who would choose USC over a cheaper option that provides a comparable education?
People see USC’s successes as rooted in privilege and money rather than merit—there’s some truth to this. However, it’s not a lot different from other colleges.
The “Conquest, Fight On” attitude and the “we’re better than you” mentality it represents are also a problem.
Fortunately, the experiences have improved over the years. The jokes may fade with time but USC’s involvement in the Varsity Blues scandal and its history of bribery and scandals for decades speak volumes.
7. University of California Irvine
Here, people goof off and spend crazy money, yet still graduate thanks to their parents’ support. The high cost of living, rent, groceries, utilities, self-care, clothes, and academic devices, adds to the stress. The social and dating pool is not impressive, and you only have a limited selection that isn’t even appealing.
Students are often left to fend for themselves. You’d need constant effort to find help that may not always be available. And to top it all off, there are no buses on weekends. This is inconvenient since on-campus clubs, research, and work still happen then. If you live in PV or further, be prepared for a 30-minute walk to campus and another 30 minutes back.
8. Stanford
At Stanford, there’s a strong culture that anything and everything is possible, which is unique compared to other top colleges. This culture motivates me to try harder, as I’m surrounded by awesome people and have access to all the resources I need. Whether it’s launching a satellite, starting a startup, publishing research, or interning in Congress, the sky’s the limit. However, I can see why this culture also causes stress. If you look at it pessimistically, the idea that “anything is possible and all the resources are here for you” can become “the main reason why I am not successful is me.” There is some pressure at Stanford, but that’s similar to other top colleges.
The worst university in California or anywhere else is the one that rejects your application and denies you admission – hands down. When rating universities from a personal perspective, that’s all that matters. A good university, on the other hand, is one that admits you, and a great university is one from which you graduate without issues. There’s nothing else to consider.
