CSU Schools Ranked- How Important?

Should I pay a lot of attention to the rankings when choosing which CSU Schools to apply to? Or should I be focusing more on the programs that most interest me and how they're reputed at the respective schools?

The principle in play here is a balance between reputation and fit. On one hand, you may see rankings as a gauge to measure the overall quality or prestige of a school. That being said, rankings only tell part of the story and can often give a generalized view. If you're looking at rankings that focus on specific fields of study, then they can provide you with more relevant information about the strength of the program you're interested in.

On the other hand, your interest and the compatibility of a school's program with your future goals are equally, if not more, important considerations. You want to be in a program that excites and motivates you, a program where you will thrive and succeed.

Let's consider a hypothetical scenario. If you're interested in marine biology, for instance, the CSU Monterey Bay might be a great choice since it's located next to the ocean and has strong ties to the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, despite not being the highest-ranked campus in the CSU system. Essentially, the specific resources and opportunities available at each campus could end up being more impactful for you than a ranking.

Moreover, prospective employers in your planned industry typically don't use rankings as their only means of assessing the worthiness of a candidate. More likely, they're going to be looking at your specific skills, internships, work experiences, and how you can contribute to their company.

A useful strategy could be to look at schools that both have a good reputation in your desired field of study and are a good fit for you. This way, you won't have to forsake one for the other. In the end, it's your education, and you should make the decision based on what you believe will benefit you most.