Again, a question for experts - we have to make a choice between CalPoly vs UCSD for Electrical Engineering major. My kid got into both schools. We have heard a lot of good things about both schools. We are planning to visit both schools before sending SIR.
I wanted to know what would be your choice if you faced this dilemma.
Thank you.
one thing about SLO is that the odds of graduating in 4 years are not very good, so if $$ is an issue, you should assume the 5-year plan.
UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering is very highly regarded. Visiting both schools is the best path; if you can make it to Cal Poly’s Open House 2015 or UCSD’s Triton Day 2015 you should definitely do so. Getting a feel for the schools will help your son/daughter decide which one is right.
Both schools are great choices. Congrats to your kid! We live right by UCSD. Don’t know where you are from, but La Jolla and SLO are very different which may also factor into the choice your kid makes.
I got into both for engineering a few years ago and went to both open houses. I hated UCSD and loved SLO but you might feel differently.
You may want to ask why the CPSLO grad rate is low. Coop jobs are not a problem. Students voluntarily taking light loads is not a problem for your student taking full loads. The often blamed not getting into classes is a problem, but it is often overstated.
I will not graduate in 4 years from Cal Poly but it is not their problem. It is that last summer I got an internship and I am still working there part time. So I can not carry as heavy a load. However it is fabulous as I already have a full time job there after graduation if I want one. I think you will find that happens with many engineering students at SLO hence the low graduation rate.
Getting into classes as Poly has not been an issue for me. As long as you are flexible on timing and teachers. Some people will not take certain teachers or take early or late classes which.
@engineerisme - Thanks for the information. Do you know how many students are like you (%)?
@parentnil95 - Also, don’t forget the students who are in the 4+1 blended BS/MS program (SLO offers BS/MS in 16 majors). When all requirements are met for both the undergraduate and graduate program (in the 5th year), both degrees will be awarded at the same time.
A couple of my son’s roommates are in the 4+1 blended program and would have received their BS in June 2015, but will instead receive their BS/MS in June 2016.
@MLM : That’s very good input. I would like to explore more when we visit the campus. Thank you very much.
The style of the 2 engineering programs is very different and the campus settings are very different also. My H and I both graduated from CP years ago. We both loved the hands on approach to engineering and thrived in the SLO setting . There is a large community of CPSLO engineering employers who hire primarily from this campus, so graduates land jobs quickly and easily. Our youngest son was admitted to both campuses in 2013 (not in engineering) and chose UCSD hands down- SLO was too small for him and he loves La Jolla. Maybe your son will be able to make a clearer choice after visiting the 2 vastly different programs.- it is such a personal decision.
the difference isn’t the education; both are fine colleges with respected engineering programs. However at Cal Poly everyone lives on/near campus and its a small town. UCSD is largely a commuter school in a larger urban area with many students after frosh year in the dorms choosing to live on the beach in Mission Beach or Pacific Beach, as well as a number living in the greater San Diego area.