I heard CPP has a more practical approach to engineering than the UCs and that it would help with finding a job (is this true?), but that the UCs are more highly regarded. Also, though I haven’t had the chance to visit any of the campuses yet, I’m not very pleased with the CPP campus compared to the UCs based on online pictures. Any thoughts on any of the campuses (taking location into account as well)? As for the debate between UCI and UC Davis, I heard that UCI is rising in ranks really fast, but that UC Davis is better at engineering.
I’m really torn between the three, so any help would be appreciated.
P.S. I’m an instate student and tuition is not an issue
Definitely go for UCI or Davis over CPP. Stronger engineering, stronger reputations… don’t get me wrong, the CSUs are good… but they are suffering greatly due to significant budget cuts and impaction.
Thanks for replying, harvardandberkeley. UCI/Davis have stronger reputations for sure, but what makes UCI/Davis stronger in engineering? I’ve been in contact with a CPP ChemE student and here are some of the points he makes:
• “CPP’s program and CPP courses in general have one of the best student/faculty ratio. Office hours are more tailored to the student’s needs whereas UC’s typically have TAs instructing the material.”
• “many of the engineers in the industry are CPP alumni”
• “[he] chose CPP because 1) small class sizes/faculty-student ratio 2) strong engineering program and 3) emphasis on practical knowledge and experience rather than research”
I don’t know anyone from UCI/Davis, so I haven’t been able to make as good a case for these schools based on my own research alone. Do you have any thoughts or knowledge that would help place UCI/Davis above CPP?
*besides CPP having budget cuts