<p>Hello, I am a senior in high school looking to major in electrical engineering. I was about to make a final decision (to attend SLO based on its learn by doing philosophy) when UCSD offered me a little over $9000 in need based grant and $2800 in work study. SLO only offered loans.</p>
<p>I like everything about cal poly. It is nice how you can study engineering the first year there and throw in GEs as you go. With UCSD I have this feeling that I will not be able to take relevant classes until my sophomore or junior year. I also got accepted to their “Sixth college” which is notorious for their bad housing and cafeteria. I realize that UCSD is a top line research university but I am doing undergrad work so how much would I really benefit from this? </p>
<p>Based on this information what would you guys do? (should I really turn down that much money, especially with a school that is ranked high in its EE program?)</p>
<p>It comes down to a cost benefit analysis. I suspect that the $9,000 just makes the two schools fairly equal in cost. You need to do the math. My kid chose Cal Poly over UCSD and has not regretted the choice. But, UCSD is an excellent school and it appears that you know where the differences in the programs lie. Best of luck!!</p>
<p>At the end of the day, if the $9,000 only equalizes the costs or comes out just a tad ahead, you might consider staying the course with Cal Poly. If the offer is too good to refuse, you will not lose at UCSD.</p>
<p>This is a very personal decision. I agree with OsakaDad about crunching the numbers and determining whether or not that 9k grant and 2.8k work study actually make UCSD cheaper than Cal Poly. I also agree that I think that money evens out the cost of both schools.</p>
<p>Even if it didn’t, I would personally go for the more expensive school if it possesses all the qualities I’m looking for, such as high ranking, recruiting opportunities, student body cohesiveness, etc. Without going into details, I could’ve went to SFSU and made about $800-$1000 a month due to certain programs. This is AFTER paying for my tuition and other school expenses. I gave up that money for Cal Poly because I liked the school a lot better and it had everything I was looking for.</p>
What?? that is a really odd statement. Are you implying that a more expensive product is necessarily better than a less expensive product? This would require pricing to reflect quality/utility, which is often not the case.</p>
<p>Take two watches:<br>
Watch A is a swiss jewel movement analog watch, let’s just say a shiny, stainless steel Rolex. Waterproof to 3 meters. The price is $2,800. It is powered by movement.</p>
<p>Watch B is a stainless case, polycarbonate surround, black digital watch. Let’s say a Casio G-Shock waterproof to 100 meters, with displays for stop watch, laps times, and a few other functions. The price is $125. It is solar powered.</p>
<p>Which is the better watch? The more expensive on, right?</p>
<p>Not so fast.</p>
<p>Which is better for time accuracy? Watch B
Which is better as a stop watch? Watch B
Which is better for diving to 75 feet? Watch B
Which is better at reducing reflection? Watch B
Which display is easier/quicker to read? depends.
Which is better for providing a night light? Watch B
Which will still have the accurate time after sitting in a drawer for a week? Watch B
Which looks better? Depends on who’s looking at it.</p>
<p>Do you see how your statement is absurd?</p>
<p>Now, take Cal Poly vs. UCSD.</p>
<p>Which is better for theory?
Which is better for hands on application?
What is the average class size?
Is the teacher a Professor or a TA?
Which has a social scene more fitting to a particular person?
Which is more convenient to visiting home?
Which has better sports teams/school spirit?
Which has a better alumni network?
Which is preferred by recruiters?
Which does a person like for no particular reason other than it “feels right”?</p>
<p>If OP answers those questions, and others particular only to OP, none of which have to do with price, then OP will have the answer to which school is better for OP.</p>
<p>Look at my statement. I would go for the more expensive school “if it possesses all the qualities I’m looking for.” So in your watch example, watch A (Cal Poly) has better accuracy, is better as a stop watch, etc. You yourself said whichever watch looks better depends on who’s looking at it, and I included that this is my personal opinion. My statement isn’t ludicrous.</p>
<p>While I agree that all of your questions to determine which school to go to are relevant, the OP specifically asked if he should turn down that much money, so you can’t dismiss price as a factor. You mention that the OP needs to answer those questions you posted, and “others particular only to the OP…” This includes price.</p>
<p>Since in practical terms it is not possible for a school to “possess all the qualities I’m looking for”, it becomes a question of tradeoffs. </p>
<p>I appear to have misinterpreted your statement to mean: “if both schools seem fine to you, go to the more expensive one”.</p>
<p>As to price, since there is an approx. $7k sticker price difference between SLO and UCSD, the $9k help from UCSD makes the price difference so small is to not be an important factor in OP’s decision making.</p>
<p>good choice. You must have visited UCSD. It has a strange, disconnected Office Park feel to it, and the students seem to be adversely affected by that architecturally sterile environment.</p>