Cal Poly SLO vs. UCSD

<p>I was accepted to both schools. I’m looking for some opinions on each school. My major is biomedical engineering. Thanks!</p>

<p>UCSD has a world renowned bioengineering program. However, Cal Poly will give you a lot more hands on experience. It’s a tough choice, but I say if you want to work after undergrad then go to Cal poly. If you want to go to grad school or professional school, you would be crazy not to pick UCSD.</p>

<p>i actually turned in sir’s at both universities when i was deciding (2009). i think what pinata said is right. cal poly is known for graduating students who are ready to work! also, at cal poly the classes are smaller.</p>

<p>Actually, I’d offer a different perspective. If you know you’re going to grad school, go to Cal Poly and get the hands-on experience. If RESEARCH is your interest, you need to go to a research institution for graduate school, but not undergrad. When you go to grad school you can pick a UC where they have MS plus PhD programs. You’ll get exposed to the theoretical at that time and will have a foundation in the applied. A lot of the working engineers that I know do have advanced degrees, but most stop at a masters, and many have them in business or systems engineering. Of course, in the research world it is different - PhD is generally the terminal degree there. BTW, you can get Master’s at Cal Poly (4+1 program).</p>

<p>UCSD. No question. I’m a Cal Poly parent who thinks very highly of Cal Poly. UCSD is one of the best biology & biomedical engineering schools in the world. The biology at UCSD is much stronger than at Cal Poly. You’d have to have a really compelling reason to turn down the opportunity to study bioengineering at UCSD for just about anywhere else, with the exception of Johns Hopkins and MIT.</p>

<p>Your going to get a good education at both, but your going to have more fun in SLO. Combine the fun factor with the cheaper tuition, and its no choice really.</p>

<p>Agree with the last comment. UCSD is a great program my friend goes there and I’m at SLO, but the city UCSD is in is veryyyyyy quiet and boring and not much going on. SLO will give you hands on experience with more of a college experience as well. UCSD is also very tough but it all depends on what you are looking for</p>