Choosing a school for computer science - UCLA, UCSD, Cal Poly, UCSB

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
1

I have been accepted into all of these programs (UCSB w/ regents), and am only waiting on a decision from UCB. But considering how difficult admission there is, I decided I should just start thinking about it sooner rather than later. Aside from UCLA, I haven’t visited any of these schools yet. For my goals, I am mostly just focused on getting a good job out of graduation, so help with career stuff and lots of internship opportunities are very important to me.

UCLA - good program, most grads get good jobs out of graduation, no problem with grad school either, good research opportunities, and seems like a nice place to live, the people here seem very outgoing, good environment to learn and live in, but has normal problems w/ big research university (big classes, little individual attention), visited

UCSB - regents which might help a lot with getting classes, as well as a pretty decent $6k / year, good program (though maybe not quite as good as the other schools on the list), the area is beautiful, of course it is a pretty fun school too

Cal Poly - students are really trained for jobs, have little problems obtaining great positions and internships, a bit smaller learning environment compared to the UC’s (smaller class sizes), more focus on undergrad education, the area really appeals to me (even though I have not visited yet), the biggest problems are the difficulties associated w/ changing majors, as well less generally more difficult acceptance into grad school

UCSD - great program (on par w/ UCLA’s), so same ease with finding jobs and grad school, beautiful and a nice place to live, but pretty scared of the idea that it isn’t such a social school, supposedly it is a commuter school for many people

I am not really considering finances (it is basically the same for each school), so given that, what should I consider about each of these schools when choosing one? Also, what should I be looking for on my visits?

2

Random collection of thoughts…If you get into UCLA go to the engineering open house, it will blow you away, it is amazing. If you get into UCB EECS, congrats, that is an amazing program and certainly the most well regarded in Silicon Valley (or anywhere). But you will work harder there than anywhere. UCSD isn’t as social because it’s overly competitive which makes it less social, but pretty. UCSB may not be at the exact levels of the others, but you get out of an education what you put into it, but they do know how to party at UCSB. Is that an environment you want? (Nothing wrong with that if you do, just saying it is the “lightest” of those on your list.) Cal Poly area is pretty but super quiet, it is this dark spot along 101. But area is gorgeous if you are into beach or hiking. If not, it will get mundane after awhile. People are nice and happy there. Everyone learns by doing, sorta tired of that marketing pitch. Do they think people come out ofUCLA or UCB not knowing how to do something, that is ridiculous. I would look at intellectual levels at the schools, you will see difference. Where do your peers go? Go to the schools they are all within a close range that you should take the time to do so. You will know on the inside when you get to the right one.

3

Look at who recruits at each school. They will list the companies or be able to point you in that direction.

Also, look at the curriculum maps for each program.

For CS, the top three schools in no particular order are CP, UCB and UCLA. UCSB and UCSD didn’t make Wired magazines list of schools that feed the top tech companies. The others did, UCB fielding the largest number, followed by UCLA and then CP. I can’t say for certain, but I believe that’s the order of program size too, so you’d expect the larger ones to place more graduates into jobs.

All, including UCSB and UCSD would be fine, UCB being the most prestigous. They are going to be different though, the most strikingly different, UCB and Poly. Intro to CS at Berkeley is taught in Wheeler Hall. It holds 750. Over 300 MORE students have to watch the lecture via camera in other classes. The total enrollment for that class is almost 1100!

It will not be like that at Poly and your labs will be taught by professors.

In the end, visit if you can, pay attention to non-academic opportunities that suit you also, and then go with your gut. You don’t really have a bad choice in any of them.

Good luck!

BTW, Poly was likely the toughest admit, likely even more selective than UCB. For CS, they were predicting 10% admission rate. Congrats!

4

@eyemgh‌ Can you link that article where it lists the top schools and job placement? I’d be interested to look at it. Also, where did you see the predicted 10% admissions for CS?

5

@looneytoons‌ http://www.wired.com/2014/05/alumni-network-2/ This is the wired magazine one, definitely pretty interesting but doesn’t exactly tell the whole story.

6

@biofio‌, that’s really the point, noting tells the whole story. They are all strong programs.

@looneytoons‌, go to the CP institutional research page. The post those predictions every year. Use 37% for engineering yield.

7

I am a first year computer science major at Cal Poly and I absolutely love it. I started this school year knowing next to nothing and am insanely surprised and proud about how far I’ve come. I also have landed myself a full time, paid internship for this summer, and I am not the only first year to do so.

To sum it up:

Pro’s:
Smaller class sizes (HUGE PLUS)
Teachers know me personally
Students willing to help each other out
“Learn by doing” though you’ve heard that a million times, but really it’s wonderful
Tons of clubs
High job retention rate

Con’s:
The registration system

I chose Cal Poly over UCSD and UCSB. Was not admitted to the other two. Eventually just came down to the idea that I want a job in 4 years and do a graduate program later down the road and I felt that Cal Poly would best prepare me for that.

8

@sarah2116 Are kids mature there? Not to be mean or disrespectful, but it comes off sorta high school. Are there more serious students or more goof offs? Weird questions I know, but that is a general concern around our area. It’s the elephant in the room about CP. That the kids are young for their age so they go to a smaller confined environment, or that’s where their parents want them, just seem to lack a sophistication, but maybe that is why it is charming?

9

Wow…just wow. :expressionless:

10

Cal Poly- Without a doubt

11

@blueskies2day I am not sure where you and others are getting that vibe, but the school is far from it. Of course there are serious students and “goof off” students at all schools, but the majority of the students are very smart. With admissions being as competitive and programs being impacted it helps to bring in more serious students.

The argument about young kids being in a small confined environment is very poor. All incoming college kids are the same age, at any college, in any state. Many colleges are quite isolated and that doesn’t imply or correlate with maturity.

The great part about having a relatively large campus is that you can interact with people of your choosing. With 20,000 students, there are students across the entire spectrum. If anything, one reason I personally like CP is because it feels nothing like high school.

12

Sorry for the double Post: I forgot to also note part of the reason for going to college that it provides an environment conducive to to learning and improving as a person. Your peer group should support you no matter what college you attend. CP is no exception to this!