My son just got accepted yesterday off of the UCLA wait list. He is already super excited and committed to attend Cal Poly, but now with this new offer, he’s having to weigh his options. Does anyone have any experience with the Physics department at either school, or have any input? Thanks!
I don’t have any knowledge of the physics departments at either, only engineering. I can say thus though. The experience will be very different at each school. UCLA is giant with a robust research and doctoral programs. With that comes the benefits of being closer to high caliber research, but also the drawback of huge classes and a lot of instruction by graduate students.
Not sure what career path would he want to follow. Physics is a wonderful science, I am an engineer and I was always in absolute awe with advanced physics. However, all people with advanced Physics degrees I know ended up leaving the field because it is hugely competitive and opportunities for advanced research very, very few. If he is dead set on the research path UCLA is a better school, as it has more opportunities for research and since he would have to get an advanced degree it has more prestige. If he wants to be a Physics teacher, perhaps it does not matter that much. If he determines later on to switch to engineering, it likely will be easier to do that at CalPoly than at UCLA. Good luck regardless!
My knowledge of the Physics Dept. is old, but I did know someone who graduated Cal Poly in the 1990’s and went directly to grad school at Cal Tech; apparently, the research he did for his senior project was impressive! I was an architecture major and only took a few physics classes there, but the environment was friendly in a small-town way (for instance, I would occasionally see and talk to one of my physics teachers on the bus or around town). UCLA seems to be a much different environment, but I can’t speak from first-hand knowledge about it.
Congrats, they are both outstanding schools. I’d suggest he choose the school he thinks is the best fit for him. UCLA is much larger and has a more competitive feel to it. Some people thrive in environments, other don’t.
If he can’t choose, a coin toss will yield a good result.
Good luck
Decided on Cal Poly. Both great schools, Cal Poly a better fit for my son! Very happy and very proud!
In my book, fit trumps all. Just in case you need a little reassurance booster though, physics students from Poly who decide to go to grad school get into pretty good programs. Over the last 8 years the most common grad route is to stay at CP, but those who have switched have ended up at good schools including GA Tech, CO School of Mines, Wash U, UCLA (better as a grad school), Cornell and MIT. Those who stay at Poly usually take one of three routes, stay with physics for masters, get teaching credentials or do a masters in engineering. The latter is really interesting because this could be a bit of a challenge with an institutional switch. I’m sure though Poly makes it pretty straight forward. Congrats!