<p>im kinda in a tough decision, i got accepted at ucsb, but at cal poly slo i kinda got screwed since i turned in my app so late, (11pm on day it was due) they told me that they had run out of spots by the time that they had received my app, they told me if i decide to go there, they can admit me for the summer 2005 quarter and i can just start from there, otherwise they cant guarantee me a spot. </p>
<p>what do you guys think my better bet is for an engineering program?</p>
<p>I don't know much about the engineering programs, but I know someone who had to start in the summer in order to keep her spot, and she actually liked it a lot. It's a pretty good way to get used to the school without such an overwhelming amount of students. If you'd rather go to Cal Poly, it's worth it. </p>
<p>But I'm a little partial to UCSB, because that's where I'm going.</p>
<p>im not really sure of the pros or cons of ucsb, i drove up to cal poly like 3 weeks ago and i stopped by ucsb to glance at it, it looked like a cool place and therew as a surf competition going on but i loved the town of slo, anyone have anything to comment about on ucsb? </p>
<p>p.s. cal poly told me that i need to make my decision on the summer start by april 1st =</p>
<p>For engineering, SLO is probably a better pick because it is heavily recruited from in the engineering field.</p>
<p>Kinda depends. I am currently a UCSB Electrical Engineering major. I know many who applied to both and chose their paths for certain reasons. I specifically would choose UCSB over SLO since there are a lot of research opportunities here. I'm hoping that will kick me into grad school. Just something to consider.</p>
<p>Also, I just wanted to note that cal poly slo is a more practical approach. Other universities (especially research heavy ones) are more theoretical. Again, it depends on your future goals.</p>
<p>phpguru</p>
<p>My counselor told me slo is great if you want to settle for a bachelors because they're very hands on and quickly prepare you for a job. UCs are better if you plan on getting a masters or phd. I'm pretty much in your sutuation too but i think im taking the UC path.</p>
<p>Both are fine schools and have respected engineering programs. Students have no trouble getting jobs out of either school. </p>
<p>The counselor who said UCs are better if you plan on getting a PhD knows little about the engineering field shows by the comment they are uninformed about engineering. What they said may be true for a liberal-arts major, but engineers take the same courses no matter where they go because engineering programs are ABET-acredited and have the same standardized curriculum at all colleges.</p>
<p>To the OP, you need to visit and decide which is better for you. Both are strong schools, but SLO is more nestled in a small town a bit aways from the beach which UCSB is on the beach but in a more isolated student ghetto (Isla Vista). You may prefer one to the other. </p>
<p>I would also factor strongly into the decision where I'd want to go if I changed my major from engineering since the majority of students do just that. As a trade paper reports, "With a few notable exceptions, U.S. engineering schools typically have attrition rates hovering between one-half and two-thirds". See <a href="http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=45200041%5B/url%5D">http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=45200041</a></p>
<p>bump, need more info, have to decide by apr 1st!</p>
<p>up again need some more feedback</p>