What do Pumas look for in a University?

Puma mascot graphic (Silvio Potosme/Arsh Tiwari/The Puma Prensa)

By Chase Soylu Chee and Silvio Potosme, staff writers 

The college application process has always been stressful between essays, recommendation letters, and deadlines. Distracted by the amount of work, seniors often skip the crucial step of researching schools they apply to, missing out on details that define the perfect college life. 

Choosing a school is complicated, with a whopping 3,180 colleges in the United States alone and over seven times more institutions overseas, according to Statista. 

Many varying factors help determine if a college is the right fit for you. Summed up by InsideHigherEd, their survey concluded that many students pick colleges for majors, specialty programs, academic reputation, proximity to home, quality of academics, tuition price, financial aid, and scholarship availability. 

Maria Carrillo High School has documents provided by mathematics teacher Cindy Lui that contain valuable advice and insights on college from alumni. The universities listed in this article are the top #4 academic institutions that MCHS graduates attended and listed below are the reasons why those schools were top picks. 

California Polytechnic State University leads with the philosophy of “‘Learn by Doing,” which encourages students to engage in hands-on, real-world experiences.” Tuition reaches up to $25,000 or more a year. The price of tuition involves factors such as living space, food plans, choice of majors, programs, or other activities you do on campus or in neighboring areas. Popular majors students study are engineering, business, agricultural or animal studies, social sciences, and architecture. Not only known for academic excellence, Cal Poly is home to 21 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I teams. With various campus environments, students enjoy hands-on projects at the beaches and mountains. Cal Poly SLO and Ponoma emerged as the top destination for MCHS graduates. MCHS alumni pursued various academic interests, with many focusing on engineering and science while minoring in Spanish, Philosophy, and other liberal arts. The college also stood out for its exceptional diversity of majors and minors.

Located near the California-Mexico border and in one of the biggest cities, San Diego State University offers a variety of research and international programs for students. 

As CampusPride claims, San Diego State University is one of the most LGBTQIA+ inclusive colleges in the nation. SDSU states that tuition rates average about $30,000. Neighboring San Diego, tuition may fluctuate depending on living area, meal plans, majors, programs, or activities in the bustling city. The most popular majors are Business Administration and Management, Multidisciplinary Studies, Computer Science, Communication, and Psychology. SDSU stands out for attracting many students who pursue science and business majors. Having San Diego in the backyard of the campus, students enjoy the variety of activities in city life and their Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. MCHS alumni studied engineering, sciences, business, and social sciences. Due to its location, SDSU was a top destination for some. 

Having been rated the number one school for Agriculture and Veterinary Science, the University of California, Davis was a highly sought-after school for science and research majors. 

Davis stands out from the crowd as the “Bicycle Capital of America,” proudly stated by UCD. It is also known for its vibrant college-town life, run mainly by students. The town hosts festivals such as Picnic Day, which showcases areas of campus life and is known as “one of the largest student-run events in the nation,” according to UCD. Unlike the other schools, MCHS alumni who went to Davis pursued mostly science and engineering majors. ​​According to UCD, Davis is a strong research institution funded under a billion dollars in 2023. Having a powerful array of research and science programs and a vibrant campus life, many alumni chose the University of California, Davis.

Onwards to the crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, you can find the University of California, Santa Barbara. The university offers promising research opportunities, and many students attend the School of environmental science, biology, and engineering. UCSB also has renowned career services that benefit students in looking for jobs or internships. Common degrees for UCSB alumni include psychological sciences, biochemistry, bioengineering, and biotechnology. Marine scientists from UCSB played a key role in developing oceans in Google Earth, which allows users to dive beneath the seas.

It can be frustrating for any student to figure out what they can do to improve their chances of getting into college but these documents with advice from alumni also offer great assistance for any studetns. Once again, the documents provided by Lui detail the surveys of MCHS alumni and their advice and tips for getting into college. 

Most MCHS alumni choose colleges in California, but an alumnus suggested  “[considering] East Coast colleges when applying.” Students often overlook the benefits of attending college in another state or country. Looking at colleges out of state can open up countless cultural and learning opportunities. 

 There are also resources around the MCHS campus that can help students prepare for their college careers. Alumni stated that the College and Career Center “was, and still is an invaluable and valuable resource.” The CCC assists in finding colleges and applying to Santa Rosa Junior College dual-enrollment classes through workshops and presentations. 

Many MCHS alumni anonymously advised on a survey that “thorough research into the degree you want to pursue.” Many students stated that they changed degrees as they started college, so research is highly recommended when considering applications.

Any MCHS student interested in the full alumni documents can request access from Lui.

Having information and advice from the Maria Carillo Alumni before you go to college gives you a basic understanding of what to look for in a college and how to determine if one is a good choice for you. Whichever academic institution you choose for whatever reasons you might have, whether it is the stunning campus, the academic prowess, specialized programs, or the student activities and sports, you will feel the fresh breeze of freedom in a new world.