I know a lot of people have probably asked about this topic, but (very fortunately) I was recently accepted into both UCB and SLO for Mechanical Engineering for the class of 2023 and I’m having a hard time deciding.
On one hand, I’ve visited SLO and really liked everything about it! The “Learn by Doing” and smaller class sizes and overall atmosphere fits better for me, in my opinion. (I suffer from test anxiety a lot but I love building things) However, I can’t really dismiss Mechanical Engineering at one of the best-ranked schools in the world.
I personally feel like environment, student life, etc are things that I’d be able to easily adjust to but I’m mostly terrified about how difficult UCB would be. I wouldn’t consider myself a smart person at all and throughout high school I’ve had to work hard to maintain grades in my classes as is. For example, in my AP Physics C class last semester, I got a C+. Granted, it is the most difficult AP in our school so it’s not really uncommon, and I have heard that my teacher makes the tests + class more difficult than other schools. However, I know Berkeley is only more difficult so that can’t be good news.
So I just wanted to hear from you guys if you’ve had to make the same decisions. Does the prestige from Cal really make a huge difference? How has life been going to such a difficult school? Do people from SLO have a hard time finding jobs? (I probably want to stay in CA for jobs at least straight out of college) Is it better to have a low GPA from Cal or a higher GPA from SLO?
(Also please feel free to talk about big school vs small (ish) school, campus life, etc. That helps too!)
What are your stats, including your AP science exam scores?
Are you planning on visiting Berkeley on April 13? No matter what we tell you, I think it’s important that you find out for yourself and get a feel for the campus.
A little secret, my kid should have gotten a C+ in AP Physics C Mechanics. Just like AP Chem, he took it cold with no prior Physics classroom background. He did miserably on his first 2 tests and near the of the semester he was at a C+. With some kindness, the teacher offered to drop the lowest 2 tests and that was barely enough to eke out a B-. And he’s doing ok at Berkeley.
GPA: W 4.19 UW 3.8
ACT 35 (Math 36 R 33 Sci 34 Wr 35)
AP: World (5) Calc BC (5, AB 5) Lang (4) French (4) Chem (4) CS (4)
Math 2 800 Chem 740
I am planning on visiting on April 13 but I wanted to ask here for more confirmation.
For me, in Physics at least, it’s never been the understanding of the material or applying it part that was difficult. It was the taking it in a test environment under time pressure, which obviously exists at Cal.
The main question you should ask yourself is, “What I am thinking about after my undergrad?”
If you’re primarily thinking about moving directly into the workplace, either school will get you where you want to go, so in that case I would go with the school that you feel most connected to. You will have no difficulty with employers who recognize the excellence of a SLO Engineering degree.
However, if you’re already thinking about grad school, then while SLO would not slow you down, a degree from Berkeley could further your candidacy at more grad schools, not just those on the west coast.
Again, go where you feel you can do well and be comfortable for four years.
Try not to second guess your abilities. Remember that Berkeley would not have accepted you if they didn’t think that you’d be able to do the work. Don’t worry about one individual class grade.
See what you think on Cal Day. Good luck with your choice.
Both UCB and CPSLO have detailed career survey results by major, with listings of employers and graduate school destinations. You may want to look them up in a web search if you are concerned about post graduation outcomes.
At both schools, you will need to take calculus based physics that is likely to be more difficult and more math intensive than AP physics C (although use of more math may make some physics concepts easier to understand).