<p>Ok, so I got in to both, and now I have no idea what to choose! :/ I am from North California, so I feel I'd like to stay in Cali, but on the other hand Wash U has such a beautiful campus and is such a highly-ranked, well-rounded school. I am pretty sure I want to major in architecture, 98% sure, and Cal Poly's program is very well-ranked, but Wash U's program is unranked because it is a 4 + 2 program and their graduate program, which is ranked, is high up there. So, I would get a good education in both... but I feel the social atmosophere would be very different at each one, and the opportunities I get might be very different as well. If anyone knows anything about either school (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Washington University in St. Louis), has been to college and knows if any of my concerns (meeting smart, well-rounded people, beautiful campus, close to home) are valid, or have any opinion whatsoever please let me know. Kthanks! :)</p>
<p>I was very impressed with the program, academics, faculty and students at Wash U’s arch presentation for admitted students. The program has tremendous support from the university (which doesn’t happen everywhere). They are recruiting very impressive faculty and the students will be strong. Sorry I can’t add any info about Cal Poly SLO, but reputation is very good.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Did you ED at SLO? If you ED, you know it is a binding ED, that means you have to go there. SLO is good just that they don’t have a lot of studio space. You have to share with the 2nd year student. According to my daughter, the teaching style is very different there as compared to like Syracuse. She went to the SLO summer archi program. I think both schools are good. Wash U is a bit more flexible just in case you don’t want to be a licensed architect. But SLO is probably cheaper for you. Either way, you can’t lose. BTW, we are from Nor Cal too, my daughter really misses the sunshine here, just something else to consider.</p>
<p>WAIT. I thought both Cal Poly and Wash U.'s early decisions are both binding! How can you apply to both? You should definitely double check things out.</p>
<p>Anyway, in the summer, I was in Wash U.'s architecture program. Its very design based, and their program is very well organized and taught. Because its a 4+2 program like you said, its much more flexible and you can take classes outside of architecture. The campus is really, really beautiful and clean, so are the dorms. </p>
<p>Ive been to Cal Poly, but Ive only heard about their Arch. program. But from what I know, their program is pretty intense and it is one of the top in the nation. Every year, they hold these fairs for interns and jobs, and there is one especially for arch, and usually Cal Poly arch. students are pretty sought after by companies.</p>
<p>I am sure that Wash. U’s teaching facilities are better than Cal Poly’s, and California schools are in short of money, that might influence the classes and whatnot.
Wash. U. and Cal Poly are REALLY different, both in campus/environment and especially the program. But I think on the long run, Cal Poly is a school that is worth attending.</p>
<p>einnob, you are right on. If you definitely want to be an architect, CalPoly is a better choice. But facility is not good and you may not even be able to stay on campus.</p>
<p>Cal Poly does have plenty of housing now after building an enormous housing complex. My daughter is in her first year of arch there and loves it. It is very “hands on” and very rigorous. The classes are small and the teaching is superb. We are very happy that she chose that school. And yes, the tuition is a deal, even for out of state students.</p>
<p>Ok, I am pretty sure Miss ArchDani is going to SLO!! LOL Maybe her best friend will transfer … haha</p>
<p>I’m a first year student at SLO right now, and I can tell you that the facilities are not bad (I mean everything you need is there, it just might not be the most appealing to the eye), and there is no fear of housing problems. The program is quite rigorous even in the first year (big change from high school) but the projects are pretty entertaining. I’d highly recommend it, I’m having a great time here.</p>
<p>EDIT: Oh, and you don’t share studio rooms with second years. There are other classes in your room, but they don’t leave anything there. They just go in there cuz their own studio becomes such a cluttered mess. Studio environment even for first years is quite nice.</p>