<p>I am stuck! University of Washington is ranked 7th in the nation for CS. Although, the city of Seattle is so rainy especially when compared to SLO. If I were to choose Cal Poly over UW(or SU), would I making a mistake? Which school would employers like to see more? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>First, are you admitted directly to the major at each school? UW Seattle’s CS major is supposedly heavily impacted, with extremely competitive admissions to the major for those not directly admitted to the major. Ask on the school specific forum. Changing majors at Cal Poly also requires applying to do so.</p>
<p>Second, how does the net cost compare at each school?</p>
<p>Cal Poly is very well respected in California, but may not have as much prominence in other areas. It has a very detailed career survey on its web site, including names of employers. [Graduate</a> Status Report - Career Services - Cal Poly](<a href=“http://www.careerservices.calpoly.edu/content/student/gsr_report]Graduate”>http://www.careerservices.calpoly.edu/content/student/gsr_report)</p>
<p>Are you a WA or CA resident?</p>
<p>Well, the letter for UW does not say whether or not I was accepted for CS in particular, but I definitely put that down when I sent in my app. I am still waiting to hear about whether or not I got into the honors program.</p>
<p>Cost is not really a problem for me. Although, I am a CA resident, and Cal Poly is pretty cheap.</p>
<p>Like most competitive majors at UDub, you get admitted into the CS department by:
<p>UDub gives you a better undergraduate experience than all your other schools, especially since cost is not a real problem for you.</p>
<p>Hmm well I have not received anything indicating my acceptance or rejection for that matter. Why do you say UW gives a better undergrad experience?</p>
<p>they are different - how that matters is More up to you and your personality - the fact that you are advocating for yourself here on this forum indicates that UW may be a worthy option - it is a HUGE school that is actually the world’s #1 public research university.</p>
<p>Thus, the experience will be 500 to 800 person lecture halls for your GE’s VS the ‘learn by doing’ concept and immediate major specific courses at Cal Poly SLO.</p>
<p>UW will certainly provide more opportunities yet they will not be opened for you - If you see yourself as a strong self-advocate, then it will have more upside yet there are those who feel kind of lost at UW. </p>
<p>Cal Poly provides what may be a more immediate and certainly worthy option. </p>
<p>Either will get you into a grad school - perhaps the savings will entice you to stay in state…great dilemma to be in - two of the best possible options want you - congrats!</p>
<p>PS - our son was accepted into Cal Poly SLO but not at UW (BioMedical Engineering)</p>
<p>
UDub offers more breadth and depth, more advanced research and facilities, a more diverse environment and a more liberal education (compared to CalPoly), more school spirits, bigger sports and greek scenes, and a more vibrant campus life. It has a beautiful campus with easy access to the city of Seattle. For a CS major, it is important to note that UDub is in the backyard of Microsoft … the campus has lots of places named Gates, and CS&E is housed in the Paul Allen Center.</p>
<p>CalPoly strikes me as more of a professional school (and a very good one at that). IMHO as a retired engineer, a liberal education makes you a better engineer. There are plenty of opportunities to learn hands-on at your first internship or first job.</p>
<p>OTOH, I agree with the poster above. UDub is a hugh school compared to SU. You will have large lectures for your GE in your first year. Registration is a nightmare every quarter unless you come prepared. [I will change one sentence slightly though … "UW will certainly provide more opportunities yet they will not be *handed* to you.] You have to be proactive and learn good time-management to be successful at UDub.</p>
<p>SU is the obvious choice if you prefer a smaller school, but the academics cannot be compared.</p>
<p>I am a UW Civil Engineering graduate and my son is a Mechanical Engineering student at Cal Poly SLO. Make sure you are currently admitted into the school of Computer Engineering at the UW. If you are, it is a good choice. If not, it is an extremely risky choice – one blown quiz and you may not get into the school. One blown class and you will not get into computer engineering. My son choose Cal Poly SLO over the UW because of the uncertainty of getting into the Mechanical Engineering program (which did not have direct admits last year) and not wanting to go through the entire college application process again in 18 months. He likes the hands on learning at Cal Poly and the weather. (BTW, he chose Cal Poly over Lehigh, CMU, Rochester, U of Portland, UW and WSU – it was his choice and I still don’t know all the reasons.) I like the price at Cal Poly. Cal Poly still has physics, chem, manufacting labs, etc. I think my son has to take at least 21 lab classes before he graduates. UW doesn’t have many labs until junior year.</p>
<p>UW is very research oriented. Some of the programs bring in instructors to teach classes, (people in the profession) and they are usually great instructors. Many of the professors are overwhelmed trying to teach undergraduates and keep up on their research. Talk to current students to find out the quality of instruction in computer science. </p>
<p>Computer science majors at both schools get several job offers. The UW grads usually stay in Washington at Microsoft, F5, amazon, boeing,etc. Cal Poly grads usually stay in California. UW doesn’t have many out of state students, in fact, there are more international students than out of state. </p>
<p>If you go to UW, I stongly recommend joining the greek system. The campus life shuts down on weekends, with most students going home for the weekend. The greek system stays a little more active on weekends. Most sororities emphasize academics and many of the frats do. Ask about their average grade point. </p>
<p>Cal Poly has great parties and beaches near by and SUNSHINE. UW has great sports and football games are some of my fondess memories. There is skiing within 1 1/2 hours from the school – Friday night ski buses are a great bargain.</p>
<p>Good luck and enjoy.</p>