<p>I am going to be an undergraduate studying Aerospace Engineering next year. I’ve been admitted to both, and through financial aid, they’re about equal in price for me. Which one would be the better school if i plan on at least going to graduate school for my masters? I am looking for the most competitive program of the two.</p>
<p>Cal Poly offers a MS in Aerospace Engineering…</p>
<p>[Post-Baccalaureate</a> Degree Programs - Cal Poly](<a href=“http://ceng.calpoly.edu/academic/masters/programs/]Post-Baccalaureate”>http://ceng.calpoly.edu/academic/masters/programs/)</p>
<p>I would select Cal Poly… nothing like hands-on learning.</p>
<p>You are not admitted to UW engineering upon admission to the university- you must apply to the major.
[UW</a> Engineering - Engineering Department Admission Statistics | <a href=“http://www.engr.washington.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.engr.washington.edu](<a href=“http://www.engr.washington.edu/curr_students/admissions/admitstats.html]UW”>http://www.engr.washington.edu/curr_students/admissions/admitstats.html)</a>
Just something to consider. You should know that science courses are curved to a mean of 2.6-2.8. So, admission into the major is not guaranteed.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about Cal Poly (we are considering it for my son for CS), so I can’t speak (yet) about the quality/opportunities afforded by that school. But I believe you apply and are directly admitted into the major there.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t know where you are from. But it has been raining nonstop in seattle for weeks and the forecast calls for more of the same. It can get pretty depressing.</p>
<p>You are one of the lucky few to get into the AERO program at Cal Poly. This school is considered the top school for AERO in the country by employers and industry magazines.</p>
<p>Here is proof, “Aviation Week & Space Technology, the largest multimedia information and services provider to the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries, recently named Cal Poly first in the nation for industry workforce recruiting.”</p>
<p>[Cal</a> Poly First In Nation for Aerospace and Defense Worker Recruitment](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2010/August/Recruit.html]Cal”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2010/August/Recruit.html)</p>
<p>Also, if you have any doubts regarding the capabilities of Cal Poly AERO students here is more proof,“Cal Poly Engineering swept first-, second- and third-place awards in the undergraduate and graduate student design competition sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).”</p>
<p>[Cal</a> Poly Engineering Sweeps AIAA Student Aircraft Design Competition](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2011/September/aircraft.html]Cal”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2011/September/aircraft.html)</p>
<p>Cal Poly will get you in anywhere you want for a master’s degree including – Cal Poly! One of the best master’s programs in the country for AERO. Everyone and anyone worth mentioning recruits from the school.</p>
<p>The school even has alumni astronauts – more proof:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/magazine/Spring-10/Acsent.html[/url]”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/magazine/Spring-10/Acsent.html</a></p>
<p>You’d be crazy not to take this opportunity. I love Seattle – but AERO is all Cal Poly. Yes, Seattle has Boeing and other companies. But they recruit from, guess who? Cal Poly!</p>
<p>@mommeleh I am a resident of washington in the seattle area, and i’ve spent quite a bit of time on the UW campus already, so I know exactly what you are talking about 
Lucky for me, I don’t mind it too much.</p>
<p>This is amazing, OsakaDad! Thanks for sharing this!</p>
<p>My pleasure!</p>
<p>I just posted these links over on the Facebook Cal Poly Community Parents group page.</p>
<p>When you attend Cal Poly, you are able to start off in your major, in small classes, right from the first quarter. When we looked at UW years a couple of years ago, I remember the first two years being mostly general ed requirements in very, very large lecture halls (800 students). The “hands on” education you receive at Poly is unparallelled. </p>
<p>Not to mention the weather component …</p>
<p>hcstankey, I envy you (not minding the weather). This past year has been the first time in over 25 years in seattle where I thought I just can’t take this weather anymore. Of course, the sun came out today and it feels glorious.</p>