<p>Basically here are my two options: Cal Poly (Bioengineering) or UCSC/UCB Dual Degree Program (Psych @ UCSC and Bioengineering @ Cal). Cal Poly and Berkeley are both ranked high so I guess it's pretty much a win-win situation. But which would you opt to go for?</p>
<p>Cal Poly is still a state school. Their teaching is based on hands on work, where as Berkeley is theoretical. Also, you cannot really compare the ranking because of the fact that Cal Poly is non-doctorate.</p>
<p>Yeah I know, UCs are theoretical while Cal Poly is "learn by doing." Also, Cal Poly is ranked with the schools that have Bachelors/Masters as the highest degree while Cal is ranked with schools that have Doctorate as the highest degree. But disregarding that, what do you think? </p>
<p>(And although Cal Poly is still a state school, they're arguably one of the best engineering schools out there. And for Berkeley, it's Berkeley. That's all there is to be said. haha)</p>
<p>Well also, my major is electrical engineering so Berkeley is sort of a leader in that field. I think when you are comparing the two it might be better to consider the major even.</p>
<p>Cal Poly has great engineering, but it's usually compared with those that don't grant PhDs. If it were compared to the "big-whigs" (MIT, Berkeley, Stanford, etc.), it wouldn't even match up.</p>
<p>The philosophies of the two are supposedly "different," but Berkeley's education is very much theoretical and applied. It wants you to know not just the facts, but why the facts are what they are. So you'll learn all the background + skills necessary for the real world. In addition, at a research university, you have more opportunity to get in on important projects. Doing something like that really teaches you the subject. That, to me, is "learning by doing."</p>
<p>Berkeley's engineering grads on average make a higher salary at graduation, and Berkeley's engineering is generally the best of the best. I would choose Berkeley (especially since Berkeley's bioE program is ranked in the top 10 -- though some posters will warn you against bioE).</p>
<p>The 3/2 program at UC Santa Cruz is pretty sweet though not everyone ends up completing the program and some take longer than 5 years to complete. Personally I would not go to either for bioengineering since both are not well-known for the field. For Cal Poly the bioengineering program is relatively new so right now it just seems like an outgrowth of the general engineering major. For UC Berkeley I've heard that Bioengineering is one of the weaker programs at their amazing engineering school.</p>
<p>Conclusion: Choosing between the two I would go with the 3/2 program.</p>
<p>
[quote]
For UC Berkeley I've heard that Bioengineering is one of the weaker programs at their amazing engineering school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Those who express frustration with bioE seem to be more angry with the industry and the general status quo of bioE than at Berkeley's bioE itself. Comparatively, Berkeley's bioE is about as good as the rest of its engineering programs -- it's generally ranked in the top 10 for bioE.</p>
<p>Hmm, you go to interview for a top job in NYC. Next to you is a guy with similar credentials. Your resume reads "Cal Poly-SLO". His reads "University of California, Berkeley." </p>
<p>Who do you think is going to get the job?</p>
<p>"Hmm, you go to interview for a top job in NYC. Next to you is a guy with similar credentials. Your resume reads "Cal Poly-SLO". His reads "University of California, Berkeley." </p>
<p>Who do you think is going to get the job?"</p>
<p>The person with the better interview.</p>
<p>^^Hence "similar credentials"...</p>
<p>Why will some posters warn me against bioE?</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Why will some posters warn me against bioE?
[/QUOTE]
"Because of the growing interest in this field, the number of degrees granted in biomedical engineering has increased greatly. Biomedical engineers, particularly those with only a bachelor’s degree, may face competition for jobs. Unlike many other engineering specialties, a graduate degree is recommended or required for many entry-level jobs."~U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics</p>
<p>Again, the frustration seems to be more with the 'industry' than with Berkeley's bioE program itself. Search the Berkeley forum and the engineering forum; it's been posted about before.</p>
<p>Thanks for bringing to light the problems of bioE. Here's one thing I want to clarify, I've always thought that bioE and BME were synonymous but upon researching there are some differences, if I'm not mistaken. So actually, it's Cal Poly:BME or UCSC:Psychology+UCB:bioE. I guess that makes Cal Poly more appealing now considering employment problems facing those who major in bioE?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I've always thought that bioE and BME were synonymous but upon researching there are some differences, if I'm not mistaken.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>There are differences. BME is even more specific than bioE, if I'm not mistaken.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I guess that makes Cal Poly more appealing now considering employment problems facing those who major in bioE?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>To be honest, I think bioE majors would fare better than BME majors, though that's speculation.</p>
<p>I may just switch to ME. All this bioE and BME is complicated. Hopefully it isn't hard to switch majors at either school.</p>
<p>have you considered UCSD? It's in the top three</p>