AHHH. USD vs. Cal Poly SLO?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am planning on studying Business, for now.</p>

<p>I know this is a decision I have to solve on my own. But with so much input from those around me, I am more confused than ever. Most people say SLO. Others say USD. </p>

<p>Those who tell me SLO: friends go there and say it is the best school ever, nice little college town, nice people, a real college experience, by the beach, more guys than girls, big campus, good programs, difficult to even be admitted there, better than most UC schools, close to Santa Barbara, nice drive up</p>

<p>Those who tell me USD: close to home, people who go there love it, i could live on the beach after a couple years, big dorm size, it would be fun, better looking people than at SLO, more girls than guys (64 to 42), class size is small so I would not be a lost face in the crowd, SD is beautiful with so much to do, gorgeous campus, homey</p>

<p>If I went to USD, I would be close to home. I am a middle child and feel it is my duty to be there for my younger sibling and family.<br>
If I went to SLO I would be very far away, and my family consistently tells me that that is not what they want for me.<br>
One family member encourages SLO, though, because I need to be "selfish" for the first time and choose the school that is best fit for me.<br>
I have gone away on a study abroad to another country alone before and had to come home because I was homesick, which I would not want to happen out of my college experience.
If I chose Cal Poly and became homesick or didn't like it, my family would say ha-ha told you so...
They are both equal on my list.
Bottom line, I am confused.<br>
I have yet to visit SLO, but my family is extremely adamant about me going to SD because they believe SLO is a) too far b) in the middle of nowhere c) not right for me.<br>
I REALLY don't know what to do... I honestly like both schools, but the fact that my family is pushing away SLO SOOO much really bugs me and all in all makes me question going to USD - because I want it to be "my school, my decision" and since my family is discouraging SLO, I wonder why others suggest it so much more frequently!
Please state any words of wisdom, advise/help, and recommendations! I need it! SOON!</p>

2

<p>This statistic also scares me:
CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY-SAN LUIS OBISPO<br>
Applications: 21,794 Accepted: 3,465 Acceptance Rate: 15.9%
VS.
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO 7,623 5,023 65.9%</p>

3

<p>USD is overpriced and overrated. SLO is a great school at a great price.</p>

4

<p>I was gonna say the same thing. You must be wealthy or have grandmommy paying for you (I kid I kid!). But really, you didn’t even mention cost so I’m assuming you’re atleast upper-mid. Otherwise, sorry, but you’ll get very little aid from USD unless you’re a minority.</p>

<p>“lost face in the crowd” I’m puzzled by this quote. Your friends you make will not “lose” you if you stay in contact and your profs will know you when you make yourself known. Unless USD has some prestigious programs in your field I feel like it could be a ripoff. Getting into SLO would be a bigger accomplishment. Getting over your homesickness and being on your own more will benefit you more.</p>

5

<p>Cal Poly’s admit rate is much higher than 15%. They accept many more than enroll.</p>

<p>Honestly, I’d probably give the nod to USD because of the state budget crisis severely affecting the CSU’s, but from your post I get the impression you would benefit by being a bit further away from home. </p>

<p>SLO is one of my favorite college towns though. Great weather, nearby beaches and a small town feel though everything you need is there. You are a quick flight to SD, and with all the money saved, you could go home often.</p>

6

<p>Haha, well, money is a factor of course. I just chose not to mention it because I already mentioned soo many other things. :stuck_out_tongue: But it is more of a “choose the best school for you and we’ll worry about the expenses later” sort of deal. I keep hearing Cal Poly is so great, but I do have the responsibility of being there for my sibling and I feel like I would be choosing college over family if I went with Cal Poly. USD is fantastic, but I want to make sure I choose the one that I would like the most… and at this point, I am still royally confused. Thanks for your thoughts.</p>

7

<p>I thought that as well about the percentages. I was just shocked, that’s all. I am quite competitive - another factor.</p>

<p>SD is still an hours way from home, so it wouldn’t be too close or too far. Just the perfect distance to start off a first year away from home. But Cal Poly, any way - car, airplane, train, is very far (4 to 6 hours). Which is not something I would like…</p>

<p>bxkxrxxx: the “lost face in the crowd” comment refers to class sizes. I believe Cal Poly has greater class sizes and more students that attend. At USD, there would be a smaller size that enables students to walk for 10 minutes and run into people they know oftentimes.</p>

8

<p>Cal Poly does not have large class sizes. In fact students and faculty interact well.</p>

9

<p>Go visit SLO before you make any decisions. Both are good schools and you will probably be happy at either one.</p>

<p>That said, my freshman S is currently at Cal Poly and has applied to transfer to USD. Socially, he likes Cal Poly fine, but he is not happy with the courses in his major. He doesn’t really know what he wants to study, and Cal Poly is not an ideal school for that. USD will allow him to take a larger variety of courses before declaring a major.</p>

10

<p>Excuse me for being so blunt, but was your elder brother there for you, or even now?
I understand the situation about being there for those who look up to you but a part of being there for them is letting them grow out on their own instead of following your specific path. If you live your life guided by your family you’ll never grow to your full potential because you’ll be more concerned about your family than you. Your younger sibling has a)your older sibling b)your dad c)your mom and d)you. There is more than enough guidance available for your sibling. A phone call every day from you isn’t any better than you saying the same thing(that you would over the phone) in person. Go to the school in which there won’t be “what ifs” for you. IF your parents are willing to pay more for you to go to usd then let them take on that debt for them being selfish and not letting you leave 3 more hours away.</p>

11

<p>I don’t mind your questionings at all. You brought up very good points. My older sibling is very close to my age, and she was always there for me. She went to a school that is far from home but a quick plane ride home. That being said, I am about 11 years old than my younger sibling. I do not want him to grow up without the influence of his older siblings. I think my family is not trying to be selfish, but in essence choosing a college they prefer for me based on the area (there is more to do in SD and that it is close to home so easier). </p>

<p>I think SDmomof3 really helped relieve my worries the most. Thank you. You all have helped so much, but SDmom really reiterated what has been buzzing in my head all along - I need to visit the campus and really see what all the hype is about and if it is a school for me.</p>

12

<p>Glad to be of some help. Only you know which school feels right for you! Perhaps even an overnight in one of the dorms would be helpful? Talk to friends who go to both schools and get their opinions on the pros and cons of their school.<br>
By the way, I am not sure exactly what area you are from, but the trip from San Diego to SLO is not that far. My son has come home for the weekend multiple times taking the train – there is a bus that stops right by the freshman dorms, takes you to the train station, and then by train to San Diego. The entire trip, if you get a direct train, takes about 8 hours (depending on your destination of course). However, you can do homework, sleep, read or whatever during those 8 hours. Much less stressful than driving!</p>