<p>This week was decision week at our house for son headed to CA from the Midwest for materials engineering and for twin daughter staying closer to home (Miami University).</p>
<p>To the OP’s point, our son has chosen Cal Poly (MATE) over UCB, UCLA and UCSD.
Also turned down GaTech, Purdue Honors (our instate flagship) and Northeastern Honors.
He was able to visit SLO twice, as a HS junior and then again this month. We weren’t able to make it to Open House which I understand was amazing.
Quite frankly, we were surprised when he got into Cal. I know he struggled a bit with the “prestige” factor of UCB vs CP. He completely likes the vibe at CP and feels much more at home there. SLO is a great college town. Berkeley would have been a culture shock to some extent and we have been turned off by the many descriptions of the ultra-competitive academic environment there. Whether that’s fair or not, I don’t know, but the opinion is pervasive on CC… I’ve seen the term “cutthroat” used often to describe UCB.</p>
<p>Although we are a long way from CA, son has wanted to go to school there since middle school. He even managed to attend COSMOS at UCD last summer.
For future applicants, his stats are CP GPA: 3.95 SAT I: 1440/2120 ACT: 32
SAT II: Math 2: 800 Physics:790 Biology:790
He also finished the engineering math sequence in HS including Lin Algebra & DiffEq.</p>
<p>We feel very blessed that our son has found the perfect place for him. Also, a big thank you to all the contributors in these threads who share their experiences and their opinions about Cal Poly and others. We found it extremely useful, especially being from OOS. @OsakaDad… Cal Poly should have a position for you in their Development Office if ever you should need one.
Good luck to all struggling with that final decision over the next ten days. See you in SLO.</p>
<p>@gunnerdad… Congrats to you and your family’s decision. @osakadad… I want to also thank osakadad for his input. I actually met your son at open house at his club booth. What a nice young man! I mentioned to him how your insight had helped our family’s decision to send our D to Cal Poly. Stats are not as stellar are some of these other posters here on CC but we feel our D will be a good fit at Cal Poly too. The school as a whole (hands on, accessible profs, top notch labs, opportunities for internships), the community (the small town feel, local activities, the support of the area), … It fit the bill for our D.</p>
<p>There are two sets of number.UCDavis has the highest Cross- Admits with SLO. What conclusion can one draw from that? Average salary comparison is not very meaningful considering how big each UC is. It would be interesting to see only engineering major.</p>
<p>@ocmomof3 – Wow, thanks for the compliment about my kid. Yeah, he is a keeper. Always helpful when he can be. I am very happy that you are excited about Cal Poly for your daughter.</p>
<p>Hello OsakaDad - I just joined College Confidential to read up on the chatter on some schools we are considering for an upper division transfer from ME into AE. We are thrilled with what we have seen (visited SLO 2x’s already), heard and read about SLO. </p>
<p>What is your son’s major? What year is he? Seems that you (and he) are very happy with SLO. </p>
<p>Being honest, what would you say are your son’s biggest challenges going to SLO and what, if anything, would you change if you could? Would so much appreciate hearing the pro’s and con’s so a final decision can be made. SIR’s for UC transfers are not due until 6/1, so still have a few weeks. Thanks much!</p>
<p>Very grateful to see so many interesting and in-depth discussions here, they are very helpful to a junior’s parent like me. As you know, engineering and architecture are excellent programs for Cal-SLO, and how about the biological science? My son is interested in premed program, though any major can be “premed”, we are not preparing(qualified) for engineering or architecture in tests, curriculum and extracurricular activities. If my son is lucky to be able to attend SLO biological major in the future, will he have good chance to apply medical school? GPA: 3.9; SAT 1890. Thanks for sharing opinions or advice.</p>