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I have three choices now. SFSU(Sanfrancisco State Uni), SUNY(Fredonia), and Santabarbara city college(Community college). Since I am japanese(international student) I think to go 4 year university as freshman must be so hard. Also, I have no idea which is better for me to go CA or NY.My interest is Design, cinema, Music-voice and so on(I want to be a person who creative something)

By Kia1 (Kia1) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 09:19 am: Edit

Forget about Santa Barbara, it's a CC.

It seems that Fredonia has more to offer in the field of design/visual arts. Both schools have a Voice program. SFSU has a Cinema major, and Fredonia has a Film Studies minor.

Here's a short list of programs in both schools that relate to your interests:

SFSU-- Art, Cinema, Interior Design, Voice.

Fredonia-- Art, Graphic Design, Film Studies (minor), Illustration, Media Arts, Voice, Photography, Visual Arts.

It seems that Fredonia offers a lot more in the area of visual arts and design. Other things to consider are the students' population, activities, and athletics.

Good luck!

By Ericca (Ericca) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 12:18 pm: Edit

Ok, So you mean to go Community college is bad? I thought that It might be good for me to get use to American Cluture first 2 years.

Anyway, SFSU and Fredonia is so different. SFSU is in large city and there are so many japanese. Also, Tuition and living cost is really expensive. On the other hand, Fredonia is freezing. There must be nothing a few japanese.

By Kia1 (Kia1) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 01:01 pm: Edit

Community College won't get you a Bachelor's degree, it will get you an Associate degree, which is lower. You need a Bachelor's degree for most good jobs.

How far is Fredonia from NYC? I've been told that you can get to the city in about an hour from everywhere in NY. I'm sure that there are plenty of Japanese people in NYC.

As for getting used to American culture, most schools offer international students special programs to help them get used to the new environment.

By Uncchlocalmayor (Uncchlocalmayor) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 01:09 pm: Edit

you can always transfer after a year or two years.

By Easydoesitmom (Easydoesitmom) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 01:11 pm: Edit

Dear Kia1- Please look at the New York State map - Fredonia is the way across the State from NYC ! Fredonia is actually very midwestern in it's atmosphere and population than a NYC environment ! Ericca - Perhaps you are thinking of SUNY PURHASE which is an hour on a train that goes into NYC - plus, it has a marvelous art program .

By Easydoesitmom (Easydoesitmom) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 01:12 pm: Edit

Note : A Community college does not have residential facilities .

By Easydoesitmom (Easydoesitmom) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 01:16 pm: Edit

oops ! Mispelled SUNY PURCHASE ...........

By Kia1 (Kia1) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 01:26 pm: Edit

Easydoesitmom, sorry about this one... I've been told over and over again (by my NY relatives) that you can get to the city in an hour from anywhere in the state... should have known better...

By Easydoesitmom (Easydoesitmom) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 01:36 pm: Edit

That's okay .America has bigger , wider states . I understand how your relatives would have the misconception ; perhaps they were thinking of a plane - therefore , the short traveling time ?

Are you considering a two-years school because you feel that you want to study for two years for your degree ?

By Mom60 (Mom60) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 02:13 pm: Edit

You can transfer from a two year school to a four year university. I have not been to New York but I live in Santa Barbara and have visited people in San Francisco and have had friends who attended San Francisco State. They are two totally different enviroments with the exception that they both are foggy in the summer.
Alot depends on the type of enviroment you thrive in. At Santa Barbara city college many students come here from other areas so it is not just a local community college. So I don't think you would feel isolated as a international student.
Santa Barbara is not the most ethnically diverse community but I think you would be comfortable here. The community college also has a program with UCSB where if you take certain classes and maintain a certain GPA you are guaranteed tranfer admission. I know registration for fall has already begun and classes are filling up.

By Ericca (Ericca) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 08:19 pm: Edit

Thank you so much every one. I shold say this first sorry. I definitely want to get Bachelor's degree at school. Even if I go to Communit ycollege, I'd like to transfer UC schools.

Yes, Fredonia is far from NYC. It takes more than 6 hours by car. There is nothig and freezing.Also, Fredonia is one of smallest college in SUNY. There are only 5,000 students.
Thay have a few International students. However, 90% students live on campus. I would like to transfer other college after 2 years. Most people reccomended me to go near the city but AT FIRST I'd like to get use to American life style.

Santabarbara looks beautiful and most of the people told me that Santabarbara is so nice place. Although they don't have Dorm, they have good program for housing. Class size are much less than other college, ofcouse. I am sure that community college is more easier way at first than 4 year uni.

I might give up SFSU. Since I get in Music major I don't think this is good idea. Don't you think it must be hard to change major from Music to Liberal arts?(Program is completely different) Also, Sanfrnacisco is very expensive for international studnets. It cost 27,000$ or more than that although it is public. To live in San Francisco is expensive too.

This is high time to decide college, so I have to decide today but still I can't decide! I have to decide tonight.

By Troy (Troy) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 09:01 pm: Edit

There is nothing wrong with going to a community college, and santa barbara CC is a fine school. You could go to Santa Barbara CC for two years and then transfer to UC Santa Barbara. UCSB offers creative studies in music and film studies.

By Mom60 (Mom60) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 09:10 pm: Edit

Santa Barbara is a easy place to get a feel for the United States. It is a safe place to live,
everything is easily accesible basically 15 to 20 minute drive to anywhere you need to go. SBCC has a good reputation as far as transfers to UC's.
The campus is in a beautiful location overlooking the ocean. The weather is also always mild.
You are only two hours from Los Angeles. so if you wanted more of a city you aren't that far away.
There is also a great English as a second language program offered through the Adult Education program. This would also be a great place to meet people.
Good luck to you in your decision.