My son has narrowed down his choices to UVA and Cal Poly. He is thinking he would like to major in aerospace engineering. We live in Seattle, Wa. Cal Poly is cheaper, closer and has better weather, but he really likes the college feel, school spirit and reputation of UVA and also thinks UVA might be a better choice if he ended up deciding he didn’t want to go the engineering route. He is struggling with the decision. Any input from those familiar with both schools? Or from people in the aerospace field?
He did not get Direct to College of Engineering admission at Washington?
Cal Poly all the way if he really wants to go into the Aerospace field. Whether it’s the former CEO at Raytheon, or many alumni at Boeing, Cal Poly curriculum trains students to enter the workforce immediately. But he is correct in that if he isn’t sure about engineering, UVA is likely the better choice
Can you handle the increased cost plus extra travel expenses?
He did get accepted into engineering at UW, but doesn’t want to go there (too close to home). Also, he is not guaranteed to get into aerospace, and we have heard of many kids who don’t get I; and end up majoring in a more general field…which honestly might not be a bad thing.
Cost is certainly a factor, although we do have money set aside that would cover UVA and we could handle the transportation expenses.
As my husband pointed out, our son has never questioned his choice of engineering. I suppose that is more me, knowing that many kids think they want to go the engineering route and then change their minds.
^ Well, their minds get changed for them if their GPA gets battered.
Anyway, CalPoly if he is definitely sure about his major (I hear that it’s near impossible to transfer to a different major there). UVa for everything else.
CPSLO’s change of major within engineering criteria are listed at https://eadvise.calpoly.edu/majors/changing-majors-within-ceng/ .
UVA starts engineering frosh as undeclared engineering. Check whether any of the desired majors requires more than a 2.0 GPA and/or C grades in the prerequisite courses (contact departments directly if the web site does not say).
Washington Direct to College of Engineering admission is new this year, so history of the old free-for-all apply-to-engineering competitive admission is not really relevant. It is not knowable which majors may still be competitive, but those that are probably will be less so for Direct to College students who have priority, compared to the old way.