<p>Since SLO is so competitive for engineering, and Pomona is respectably ranked, shouldn't Pomona be considered a worthy back-up to SLO?</p>
<p>Yes, it is. The most striking difference between the two Cal Polys has more to do with campus atmosphere than with the quality of the engineering programs. </p>
<p>SLO is a mostly residential campus in a funky college town, with a lively college scene and easy access to the beach or the mountains. Pomona, in contrast, is a mostly commuter campus in an unexciting suburb of LA. Most applicants tend to prefer SLO, so SLO is more selective and prestigious. But Cal Poly Pomona degrees are well regarded too.</p>
<p>Thanks, Corbett. For at least a year, I've been trying to figure out why so many kids will only consider SLO and never even visit Pomona.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Thanks, Corbett. For at least a year, I've been trying to figure out why so many kids will only consider SLO and never even visit Pomona.
[/quote]
They don't compete. The people applying to SLO generally apply to other UCs. Those being UCSB, UCD, UCI, & UCSC. Although a significant portion of the student body chose SLO over UCB, UCLA or UCSD.</p>
<p>Yes, I've noticed that. I know a lot of kids who didn't get into engineering at SLO and so they went to Santa Cruz, which doesn't seem like a great choice to me, especially for the kids who want Mech Eng. They plan to do "3-2" with Berkeley, and I wonder how realistic this is...</p>
<p>what are the best ucals for ME that allow some degree of hands on learning?
so far Ive heard SLO and UCD. What other ucals are good for this sort of thing?</p>
<p>SLO is the best, it is not a UC though.</p>
<p>haha I know that, but what others schools give it a run for its money? Do any of the ucals compare in ME? does pomona compare?</p>
<p>I've heard UCSB is more hands-on than some of the other UC programs.</p>
<p>wut i dont get is how high end UC schools, such as UCB, UCLA, and UCSD are all beating both Cal Poly schools in engineering and other techinical majors. Cal Poly SLO and Pomona are schools designed for the technical student, while UCB, UCLA, and UCSD are generally widespread, yet all 3 are ranked well beyond both Cal Poly SLO and Pomona. IMO, your much better off going to any decent UC over any CSU, even Cal Poly schools, for an engineering/other tech degree.</p>
<p>compare B.S. CS curriculum between UCR & Cal poly SLO, can you tell me why Cal Poly SLO is better than UCR? (UCR has the lowest raking in the UC system)</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO: <a href="http://www.calpoly.edu/%7Eacadprog/2005depts/cengr/csc_dept/csc.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.calpoly.edu/~acadprog/2005depts/cengr/csc_dept/csc.html</a> requires only 2 math courses in calculus</p>
<p>UCR: <a href="http://www1.cs.ucr.edu/index.php/main/education/undergraduate/csmajor/%5B/url%5D">http://www1.cs.ucr.edu/index.php/main/education/undergraduate/csmajor/</a> requires 4 math courses in calculus</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO students also have to take a
Mathematics/statistics electives. Select from
CSC 142; MATH 143, 206, 241, 244, 248, 306, 335, 336, 437, 470; STAT 32</p>
<p>OK, Cal Poly SLO requires 3 calculus courses if the students take MATH 143, or 241 for that section.</p>
<p>
[quote]
compare B.S. CS curriculum between UCR & Cal poly SLO, can you tell me why Cal Poly SLO is better than UCR? (UCR has the lowest raking in the UC system)</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO: <a href="http://www.calpoly.edu/%7Eacadprog/200..._dept/csc.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.calpoly.edu/~acadprog/200..._dept/csc.html</a> requires only 2 math courses in calculus</p>
<p>UCR: <a href="http://www1.cs.ucr.edu/index.php/mai...duate/csmajor/%5B/url%5D">http://www1.cs.ucr.edu/index.php/mai...duate/csmajor/</a> requires 4 math courses in calculus
[/quote]
I don't know about about UCR, but CPSU has one of the best job fairs in CA. Virtually every major engineery company on the West Coast showed up. I doubt that UCR would have the same sort of experience.</p>
<p>
[quote]
wut i dont get is how high end UC schools, such as UCB, UCLA, and UCSD are all beating both Cal Poly schools in engineering and other techinical majors. Cal Poly SLO and Pomona are schools designed for the technical student, while UCB, UCLA, and UCSD are generally widespread, yet all 3 are ranked well beyond both Cal Poly SLO and Pomona. IMO, your much better off going to any decent UC over any CSU, even Cal Poly schools, for an engineering/other tech degree.
[/quote]
Cal Poly isn't design for the 'technical' student in engineering anymore than UCSB or UCD or UCI. I think the program is better but that does not imply that the program is designed for a certain sort of student in mind. An engineering program should be designed for future engineers.</p>
<p>That means we have a lot of labs, many technical clubs, and a very good reputation with engineering employers. At our latest job fair we had: Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop, Microsoft, Cisco, Sandisk, Chevron, Bechtel, KBR, Ingersoll Rand, Eaton, Apple, Agilent, Parker, Aerojet. These are just the companies I can remember from the top of my head (there were over 150 at the job fair).</p>
<p>You think any UC is better than even Cal Poly - SLO? What exactly makes you think that?</p>
<p>If you look at SAT scores by campus -- which are not necessarily the most meaningful indicator, but which are readily available -- then Cal Poly SLO is more or less in line with mid-range UC campuses, e.g. Davis, Santa Barbara, or Irvine. In my experience, engineering employers in California regard degrees from such schools as more or less equivalent. </p>
<p>Out of state, or internationally, the "University of California" name is much more widely recognized than the "Cal Poly" name. Even the less selective UC campuses might have an edge over Cal Poly in this regard.</p>
<p>If you planned to go on to grad school, particularly for a PhD, then a UC might be a better choice than a Cal Poly, because there would be more opportunities to learn about or get involved with theoretical research. If you planned to get a job right after college, then Cal Poly might be a better choice, because of the emphasis on current engineering practices. As noted above, engineering employers recruit heavily at Cal Poly for entry-level positions.</p>
<p>Here are some interesting statistics. If anyone can find statistics like these for other UCs it'd be great if we could post it up.</p>
<p>Those are great statistics, Mr. Payne. When I worked at HP, I noticed we did hire from Cal Poly SLO for various IT positions and those youngsters did very well in their careers as well. </p>
<p>While it is true SLO is great for jobs, I have heard even engineering majors from other CSUs like CSU Sacramento and CSU Chico end up with pretty good job prospects. any thoughts on this?</p>
<p>another question I have is - how good is Cal Poly SLO if a student plans to do MBA from a top Business school later and move into I-banking/Mgmt consulting positions?</p>