<p>Sorry, another thread comparing these schools, but I can only imagine that there are many engineering kids waiting on decisions from the two big UC’s over the next few days (although a lot of engineering kids already know about UCLA cause of likely letters). Personally, between UCLA and Cal Poly it comes down to S picking which one he simply likes better in terms of environment. They each have unique features that offset the other, so I don’t see one as obviously better to the point it is a slam dunk. I know Osakadad didn’t like the teaching methodology at UCLA at all, but UCLA does have that UCLA thing going for it. (Which doesn’t mean so much to me but apparently does to some folks.) For internships and employment, I would give CP edge especially in Norcal. It seems like it would be easy to get lost at UCLA, and I don’t like that they do not use major as a preference for housing at all. (An engineering major living with two LA majors could be a challenge.) I suppose there can be growth opportunities in a jungle like that as well. So maybe my preference is showing, but if my S loves either one for whatever reason, I could be ok with it. It is his decision afterall.</p>
<p>Then there’s UCB coming out on March 28. Wow, I had no idea how well it is perceived out there in industry. Since we aren’t engineers, S had to do some research with our engineer friends. Learned a lot. From what it seems, virtually no one would turn down UCB, it’s just that good, especially in EECS. If your S or D gets in UCB, is there anyone that would struggle with the decision between UCB and CP or is it a slam dunk for you guys?</p>
<p>It just depends what your son (and you) want and are willing to pay for.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB are about twice the size of CP (~35k vs. 18k students)</p></li>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB are about 25-30% grad students, unlike CP</p></li>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB ethnic/racial makeup (~40% Asian, ~32% White, ~15% Hispanic, ~13%other) while CP is much “whiter” (~11% Asian, ~63% White, ~13% HIspanic, ~13% other)</p></li>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB are mostly Social Sciences, Humanities, and Science majors (UCLA 83%) while CP is mostly Engineering and Ag majors with smaller Businees, LA, Science, & Arch</p></li>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB have more females (UCLA 56%, UCB 53%), CP has more males (55%)</p></li>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB have more exclusive admission stats, although not necessarily in Engineering</p></li>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB are in huge cities, CP is in a small coastal town</p></li>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB in-state tuition + Rm & Bd = 27-28k/year, CP tuition + Rm & Bd = 19k/year</p></li>
<li><p>UCLA/UCB are research oriented universities, CP is more “hands-on” practical education</p></li>
</ul>
<p>To me it seems there are many differences between UCLA/UCB and CP. Good luck!</p>
<p>I do realize UCLA and UCB are different universities and I did not mean to just lump them together as one and the same. They just share many characteristics that are very different from CP.</p>
<p>Look, the fact is that they’re all great schools and each has pros and cons. My S wasn’t interested in either UCB or UCLA because of their size. That’s all, just too big. He pretty much boiled his choices down to UCSD and UCI. We went to all of the open houses, including some other private schools that offered scholarships that brought them inline with CP costs. As we were leaving the first day of the CP Open House, my S announced that he was a Mustang. Like Osakadad’s son, it was, without question, the best fit for him.</p>
<p>Really thoughtful replies ralph4 and jamestg. Appreciate the “fact sheet” listing ralph4 - nice to see those listed out and I think others will find it helpful as well. Ya, I get the size thing at UCB and UCLA, and frankly for all the years of raising my kids, I have always said I wouldn’t send them to a UC (or CSU if being honest). So I am going through a personal adjustment, but I seem to be over that, unless we just go insane and decide to spend the big bucks on the privates he will likely get into. After going to CP, he loved it, then we went on the tours at UCB, UCLA and talked to industry folks, and those two aren’t as “evil” as I thought. My S actually thought they were really cool. I thought the struggles would be too big a pain at UCB/UCLA, but then CP has the same struggles with getting classes, and people do get out in 4 from UCB. So yes, they are all great choices and I think it will simply come down to what he likes, urban or coastal, norcal or socal. Thanks for your seemingly endless support posters, almost over this hurdle.</p>
<p>Hi everyone! Great post ralp4 and jamestg. CADREAMIN, it will be a diffifult choice. I strongly suggest that you go to each school’s admitted student’s day. Go to the Cal Poly Open House in April for sure. It was transformational for us. Anyway, you know my opinions already and we made our choice and couldn’t be happier. We know a lot of kids that turned down UCB and UCLA for Cal Poly. However, I am sure that there are plenty more that did the opposite and chose UCB and UCLA and are equally happy. Just go to these events at each school and let your kid decide. That is what happened to us and the choice ended up being crystal clear pretty early on in the process. Best of luck!! You have some great choices.</p>