<p>I just got accepted into Cal Poly Pomona as a Computer Science major.
I was planning on going there to get my B.S and M.S.
However, my parents would prefer that I get a PhD, and CPP doesn't really promote that route.
They would prefer I go to a community college and then transfer to maybe UCLA or USC and pursue a PhD there.
To be honest, I don't really care about research much, but getting at least a Master's Degree at a higher university might be a good idea for getting a job.
I just wanted some input on this situation.</p>
<p>a phd requires independent research in a particular subject that produces publishable outcomes. It is pretty difficult work in most fields. It’s a little early to think about, let alone make a college decision based upon it. But I can say that if you have no interest in research after several years of college, don’t plan on getting a phd anytime soon. Parents have all kinds of weird ideas, speaking as a professional parent. </p>
<p>It makes no sense to plan to get a PhD if you don’t have a strong interest in research. You can get a graduate degree at a different school than your undergraduate school, and I believe that most people do, so you don’t need to pick your undergraduate school based on whether it offers graduate degrees. </p>
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This is a train wreck about to happen. If you don’t care about research why on earth would you spend the next 10 years of your life pursuing a degree devoted to research, and once having earned that degree be marketable only for jobs aimed at researchers?</p>
<p>You’re perfectly employable with just a Bachelors.</p>
<p>People don’t get PhD’s because their parents prefer it! Your parents are being ridiculous. It is much too soon to make that decision. It takes sustained effort and determination and is not necessary in that field exception if a) you want to be a professor (a very difficult path) 2) you want to work in research.</p>
<p>Although Cal Poly focuses on professional readiness, it won’t close the door. I don’t think it would be wise to turn it down for CC if you are interested in that field. Appease your parents by letting them know that there is research available for undergraduates and that some grads do go on for Phd. You can decide later to get your masters there or elsewhere, by end of Jr year you will know better what your goals are.</p>
<p>Show them this page, they even have a link for prospective grad students handbook to help guide you:
<a href=“Prospective Students – Computer Science & Software Engineering”>https://www.csc.calpoly.edu/prospective/</a></p>
<p>Who told you that Cal Poly “doesn’t really promote that route”?</p>
<p>I realize Cal Poly currently does not have doctorate programs, but after graduating with a BS from Cal Poly, if you wish, you can apply to a doctorate program anywhere you want. Graduating with a BS/BA from a UC does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. You will need to apply to a grad school no matter what.</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona is a good school. In my humble opinion, it is just a good as any UC.</p>
<p>If you don’t care about research (how do you know, you’re not even in college yet?), forget about PhD. It will be just a waste of time and effort.</p>