<p>My son thinks he may want to earn a master's but not a PHD. Where do you recommend and why? Thanks!</p>
<p>SLO, for sure. I think it's ranked number 2 or 3 by US News for undergraduate colleges in computer engineering.</p>
<p>Yes CPSLO is ranked in best undergraduate engineering programs (At schools whose highest degree is a masters) and UCD is ranked in best undergraduate engineering programs (At schools whose highest degree is a doctorate) so the rankings aren't really comparable though both are ranked.</p>
<p>My vote is for Cal Poly SLO.</p>
<p>Can you give some good reasons? My son has lots of reasons (besides reputation) to like both campuses (but is leaning towards one). We are now looking to see if reputation is different enough that it should make a considerable difference.</p>
<p>i guess i'm biased because i'll be attending poly.. however, i live by davis and even though the campus is nice, i hate it! the area is horrible! i can't stand it.. but it could be because i live around it. it's just empty.. there's nothing really around or anythin to do. i prefer the beach environment. plus people are a lot more laid back at poly.. which i prefer. also poly is more known for engineering. when i think of davis.. i think of vet.. but that might just be my opinion.. </p>
<p>i think since they both have a great reputation.. your son should look at the surroundings. he should know that either place he chooses.. he'll get a good education so now, it should be about whether or not he'll like the environment and if he can picture himself in that area for 4 years. they're completely different when it comes to that.. so that should help him choose.</p>
<p>His sister goes to Davis. He has been many times to visit and always found it really fun. Sacramento is just a few minutes away, and there is plenty to do. He's not much of a beach person (prefers snowboarding, a UCD passion). Not that he wouldn't enjoy SLO, but location won't make his decision for him. I think he wants to know more about reputation, who recruits from there, getting internships and the like.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.careers.calpoly.edu/search.php%5B/url%5D">https://www.careers.calpoly.edu/search.php</a></p>
<p>Median Salary is 60K.</p>
<p>And Cal Poly is my vote. It has a far better reputation than Davis for computer engineering.</p>
<p>Is there any difference in the type of work a graduate would be prepared to do upon completion of a UC degree program as opposed to the Cal Poly program?</p>
<p>No difference. But alumni usually like to hire students from their alma matter. Cal Poly SLO puts more focus on undergraduate teaching and it's really known for engineering and architecture. Lots of people from high tech firms in Silicon Valley graduated from Cal Poly SLO so you have a nice alumni network. Cal Poly probably has more hands on experience while UC Davis is a UC but it's known for premed, agriculture, etc..It's engineering program is not bad.</p>
<p>I have a ton of friends from Cal Poly who did computer engineering so you can't go wrong there. However, I wouldn't say that UCD computer engineering wouldn't be equally as competive, since their ECE department definitely known and also has excellent reputation. So both should be ok in the long run.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, here's some honest and objective comments for your son's decision, collegemom16, which I think you and him should be aware of.</p>
<p>So if he's thinking about earning a masters though there's this 5 year BS/MS program at UCD:</p>
<p>BS/MS</a> Integrated Degree Program(IDP)</p>
<p>I have a good friend who graduated through the program and he works in the Silicon Valley now in computer architecture and does well for himself. It didn't seem like he was having trouble finding a job (I think he got an offer about 6 months before grad). This was the program that really attracted my nephew to UCD as a ECE major also but too bad he didn't get in :(.</p>
<p>I actually got accepted to Cal Poly SLO computer engineering about 5 years ago but decided against it because after speaking with a lot of students there, it was clear that most people took 5 years to graduate with computer engineering in SLO. I was also accepted to another mid-tier UC (UCSB which is basically comparable to UCD) where pretty much a good portion graduates in 4 years. So... I thought: do I want to pay for an extra year of college + spend an extra year when I could have basically a equal or better reputed UC education? </p>
<p>So does CalPoly have enough "alumni connections" to sway your son to go there with a strong risk of finishing in 5 years? Or does UCD look more attractive where he might be able to wrap up his BS AND MS in 5 years?</p>
<p>With these considerations, UCD would be my choice. I personally don't think that UCD alumni connection is weaker than CalPoly (It is probably the opposite especially in NorCal and the Silicon Valley). But ultimately, you and your son are the ones making this decision. I think also if I was your son in this specific situation and had a sister going to the same school, I'd make this decision in a heartbeat. (Because when times get tough in college (it indefinitely does), I wouldn't mind having easy access to close family and being able to talk things over).</p>
<p>Btw, I'm not in computer engineering anymore but finished my BS in another engineering major and am now grad school in a PhD program (thinking about leaving with a MS though). I'm sure things will work out either way. Sorry for the long post, it just reminded me of my decision when I was oh so younger.</p>
<p>I don't know why people have trouble graduating in time. I made it out in 11 quarters...</p>
<p>So is it true, most people in CalPoly CE take 5 years? I was wondering about this myself many years ago.</p>
<p>A lot of people do take 5 years, but I tend to think it's due to a few reasons. The key difference is that class sizes are limited at Poly and not at UCs. This causes impaction problems UCs do not deal with. I also think it's superior in learning material. There is also demographic issues (older student body, more transfers, more non-traditional students).</p>
<p>jmilton90 thank you so much, Mr Payne too. You have both been extremely helpful. I have to say that for a long time (as recently as a month ago) my son was all about Cal Poly. He visited his sister at UCD and ever since he really wants to go there. I LOVE the idea of the five year plan. How do you get into that program jmilton90? Again thanks this is a tough decision.</p>
<p>UCD students really LOVE their school!</p>
<p>I remember my friend he needed a 3.5 (confirmed in the link above on eligibility) and 3 signatures on his app form (not full letters) from professors upon entrance to the program his junior year and GREs are waived. I assume if you do not make the GPA requirements, you basically have to apply with full letters and a GRE score your junior year. My nephew would probably know better than me though, since he did his research before applying. This is all the info I know.</p>
<p>Good luck. Your son has an outstanding decision to make.</p>
<p>I'm a UCD grad in ChemE, and have never heard anyone tell me that "drats, had you only gone to Cal Poly."</p>
<p>IMO, they have similar reputations and both have challenging programs. With that said I would go to UCD if I was your boy, mainly for the proximity to Tahoe, Sac, and SF bay area. There's plenty to do, and UCD is pretty laid back, more so than Cal Poly, if you ask me, and I've been to SLO plenty of times.</p>
<p>
[quote]
IMO, they have similar reputations and both have challenging programs. With that said I would go to UCD if I was your boy, mainly for the proximity to Tahoe, Sac, and SF bay area. There's plenty to do, and UCD is pretty laid back, more so than Cal Poly, if you ask me, and I've been to SLO plenty of times.
[/quote]
Well, Poly is tougher on grades. :)</p>
<p>A reason why it's less laid back.</p>