Civil Engineering Major

<p>My son was accepted for Civil Engineering and I was curious if anyone that is in the major/pre-major for Civil Eng. or has knowledge of this program could give me any information to help us decide which college he should attend. Or if anyone knows any stats to compare these two schools for Civil. Of course, we've looked at many rankings but it's so hard to go off those lists. So far he has been accepted to CSULB and SDSU and we're still waiting to hear from a few more colleges. Is it hard to get classes at CSULB? How many years to graduate for Civil? My son received the invite to the College of Engineering's Open House so I'm sure a lot of questions will be answered then, but I'd like to get some input now, as we're researching all the options as he receives his acceptances. </p>

<p>We were in a similar situation last year with my son, who was accepted at CSULB in Mechanical Engineering. We did attend the College of Engineering’s Open House, and found it useful.</p>

<p>There are probably various rankings around, such as U.S. News & World Report’s, but my off-the-top impression is this. For engineering overall, San Luis Obispo is at the top of the CSU system, followed by Pomona. Then there are CSULB, SDSU and a couple of others in what you might call the “high-middle.” Then more in the middle-middle, and the lower end. My recollection is that some might rank SDSU a bit above CSULB, but they are close enough to each other that other factors might carry the day. I’d think you’d want to visit both. </p>

<p>I don’t know if your son also applied to UC campuses, but the usual thinking is that they are more theoretical while the CSU’s tend to be hands-on. So if your son wants to go into teaching, the UC’s would be good, whereas if he wants to go out and do civil engineering, a CSU is arguably better.</p>

<p>Our son did accept at CSULB, and is finishing his freshman year. So far he hasn’t had any trouble getting any classes. They seem to add more sessions as the first round gets filled up. As for how long it takes to graduate, you can do a web search on “csulb civil engineering roadmap” to see the different versions for 4- or 5-year plans. These days CSULB is encouraging students to get through in four years if possible, but my son felt that it would require too heavy of a load. He therefore is pacing himself for five years, and is doing well.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

<p>ElderSlug - Thanks for your reply. My son applied to UCI and UCSB which we haven’t heard from yet, but hopefully we will within the next couple of weeks. I never thought about how you mentioned teaching at UC’s vs. going out and doing engineering is geared to a CSU. I know the theoretical vs. hands-on approach but didn’t think about it in the long run. Actually doing civil engineering is his preference so a CSU seems to be the best avenue for him as far as that goes. He also applied to CPP and we are anxiously awaiting for a response them. We’ve visited CPP and CSULB and did the tours and such and we’re going to SDSU this weekend for their open house so we will have more insight there after our visit. </p>

<p>I’m glad to hear that your son is going to CSULB and not having any trouble getting classes. I’ve searched the roadmap to college and read up on that but I do know of some students from CSULB that had to spend more time there because they couldn’t get their classes. That’s why I asked that question, but its good to know your son hasn’t ran into that problem. It sounds like your son has his goals laid out and I’m glad he’s doing well. Best of luck to you both and thanks again for the information. </p>

<p>I’m interested in hearing how their engineering programs are as well. I was accepted to LB for MechE as a transfer student, and while I never considered going there before, I am now. I’m hoping to attend Pomona (which I SHOULD get into, but you never know).</p>

<p>I don’t know anyone who is studying any branch of engineering at LB, and there seems to be very little information on the internet. I’d like to hear from current students. I’m not obsessed with school rankings; I just want the best education I can get.</p>

<p>PuaPua, good luck with Pomona. My son’s GPA and test scores put him right in the middle of the incoming freshman class in engineering accepted at that school the previous year. However, there must have been a glut of applicants his year (for fall 2013). He went on the wait list for a couple of months, and in the end didn’t get in. You have to wonder, though – if you’re accepted off the wait list, you can figure that 95+% of the class in your major has academics higher than yours. Anyway, he’s having a good time at Long Beach (well, they just hit intro to differential equations in Calc 2, so it does have its challenges). </p>