I’m deciding between Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Diego State. I’ve visited both, and I love SDSU. However, it seems like I would get a better education at Cal Poly. I’m not 100% sure what I want to major in and it seems like Cal Poly will push me to decide that sooner than later, which is good. I’m having a hard time deciding because SDSU’s campus was so much nicer, especially the dorms. And I like the city of San Diego more.
Any thoughts on both? All opinions are appreciated.
If you like hands on learning, I suggest that you attend Cal Poly. Their education is more hands on whereas other schools are more theoretical. I was accepted to SLO a few weeks ago for a statistics major and I am considering going there but haven’t decided yet.
CSU’s in general are “hands on” versus UC’s which are theoretical. SLO promotes their hands on philosphy but in actuality, both SLO and SDSU approaches to teaching will be similar. You will probably have smaller class sizes at SLO than SDSU for the lower division classes, but for upper division classes the class sizes should be comparable. I would compare the curriculum of each schools Statistics program to see if there are any major differences. You also need to go to a school where you feel you fit in and will enjoy for the 4 years. I linked My Map for SDSU. Use the drop down menu for 2014 and your major. It will give you a 4 year MAP of your major to help with your decision.
https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/pubred/!mymap.disp/
Here is SLO’s statistics program requirements: http://content-calpoly-edu.s3.amazonaws.com/statistics/1/documents/MajorInformation/13-15%20statistics%20curriculum.pdf
Both are really good schools. Follow your heart and head to SDSU - particularly because you don’t have a committed major.
In my opinion, if you’re planning to go to graduate school sometime in your future, go to San Diego State and have some fun (don’t mess around too much though). Cal Poly is a really great institution if you want a job right away after getting your Bachelor’s, though. If you’re undecided, again go where you want to go.
San Diego State and Cal Poly SLO, actually, are equal in academics. They both have similar graduation, acceptance, and retention rates, Common misconception is done because SLO has Engineering as their most popular major, hence why it’s such a great academic school (at least that’s what most people say), but San Diego State is the same thing but they get turned down by the media because it’s a “party school” (when you have to seek for the party, not vice versa) and that their most popular majors aren’t STEM based.
To sum it up, if I were you I would go to San Diego State. Honestly imagine yourself at both campuses, and go to the one where you think you will have a better time (and you’re spending money on the institution, remember that, so choose the best choice for you).
Actually, Cal Poly SLO’s entrance stats are higher than SDSU’s (and higher than some UC’s), and a lot of research is conducted at Cal Poly SLO.
The “fit” should be the primary factor driving the decision at this point. SDSU has a beautiful campus and a prime location, lots of majors and more flexibility than SLO. SLO carries more prestige, more research, and kids with higher stats.
SDSU: 28,000 students; average weighted GPA: 3.6; 25-75% Math range: 510-610; 25-75% CR: 490-590; 4% above 700 in math, 2% above 700 in CR; 27% top 10% of class; 34% graduate in 4 years.
Cal Poly SLO: 19,000 students; average weighted GPA: 3.9; 25-75%Math range: 580-680 ; 25-75% CR: 540-640;21% above 700 in math,10% above 700 in CR; 49% top 10% of class; 30% graduate in 4 years
Yes, SLO carries the higher Stats due to the campus having a high percentage of Engineering students which skews the data. SLO has some individual majors with greater than 60% acceptance rate and then they have majors like CS and ME with less than 10% acceptance. Each campus will pros and cons so pick the campus you like best and want to attend for 4 years. Opportunities will be available at both campuses, its up to you to take advantage.
If you look at the data for students admitted into SDSU’s college of engineering, the kids are coming in with 3.9-4.0. But engineering is the smallest college out of the 7.
If you’re interested in business, hospitality, cfd etc. SDSU is a phenomenal school.
Although, don’t plan on switching into nursing, that is hands down the hardest thing to switch into.