<p>I am currently deciding between Cal Poly SLO engineering (Aerospace) and UCSB engineering (Mechanical). Not sure if I will want to go to graduate school; most likely not, but it's a possibility. I made a short list of the positives for each school i've found.</p>
<p>CPSLO Positives:
-’hands on’ engineering
-easier to get a job out of college
-”connections” dorms seem cool (Sierra Madre)
-harder to get into (than ucsb engineering)
-has aerospace program
-DBF club (design, build, fly)</p>
<p>UCSB Positives:
-better for grad school
-school campus is better looking
-more social and dorms seem to be a bit ‘better’ (santa catalina)
-closer to home
-old friends will be more willing to come up and visit
-UC title is more prestigious
-better greek life</p>
<p>I feel like i'm still 50/50 even after visiting each college... typical gemini.</p>
<p>I would call the Engineering department at UCSB and ask what sort of hands on work you can expect to do.<br>
While UCSB will absolutely prepare you for grad school, I don’t remotely think you would have to wait for grad school to get hands on experience. UCSB is undergraduate heavy, with small graduate programs. That gives undergraduates tons of opportunities, as they explained it to us. I think that should hold true in ME as well.</p>
<p>I really think UCSB is something special when it comes to ME, however, both are good schools. Good luck with whatever you decide!</p>
<p>However, if Cal Poly has a major you want and UCSB doesn’t have the classes (whatever they call them), that is definitely something to take into consideration. I knew a guy from UCSB who interned at Jet Propulsion Laboratory over the summer though, so I wonder if they might just not call it something else.</p>
<p>What I meant was that it sounds like you prefer aerospace by the fact that you made it a ‘plus’ at CPSLO. If that is really what you want to do, and IF UCSB doesn’t do it, just under a different name, I can see that as being a big plus for Cal Poly. However, if you break the major down to the tasks you want to perform, you might want to call the engineering department at UCSB and ask if you would be able to do those things there. You might be able to do it there as well.</p>
<p>Otherwise, only you know how important that major is to you, above what UCSB can offer.</p>
<p>When my mom passed away we had a golf fundraiser for my college fund. I have enough to get me through for sure, my dad won’t tell me how much is in it but he said don’t worry about the financial side of college. He wants me to go to SLO, but says it is ultimately my choice.</p>
<p>I guess then the rest is up to you, and what you want. Both are good schools. I’m biased towards UCSB, but you are looking at all the aspects, which is what you need to do.</p>
<p>I’ve heard various complaints from people I know who have attended Cal Poly. From what I’ve heard, the housing, food, and course availability leave something to be desired. When touring the school, my sister and mother also overheard several students complaining about professors. In addition, it is a school that is very much based upon engineering, so other majors have less focus.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Cal Poly is a good deal cheaper than UCSB, with an excellent engineering program and a slightly less dorky (IMO) mascot.</p>
<p>Either way, you get to enjoy the wonderful UCSB v. Cal Poly soccer rivalry!</p>
<p>You are going to get responses partial to ucsb since this is a ucsb thread. Per the above comment, I disagree. The freshmen housing at ucsb is nice, but isla vista has its issues as everyone knows. Calpoly’s dorms are fine and the 2nd year housing options are great. 3rd and4th year are varied throughout slo and offer a high quality of living. Campus food is campus food everywhere, well except ucla. Downtown slo has awesome restaurants, not sure about goleta… But a car ride away - downtown Santa Barbara has wonderful eateries. I heard you have to prepare to crash courses at ucsb especially during your first two years. I’ve heard people at slo say they had no problems at all getting classes all four years. So, it must depend on major, how prepared you are for registration, and how proactive you are in selecting classes and having backup plan at ucsb and calpoly. Both schools are great, both schools have great teachers and not so great teachers, both schools are impacted so be prepared and work with advisors and professors to get your classes. People that go to calpoly slo LOVE calpoly slo. People who go to ucsb LOVE ucsb. You need to go where the fit feels right and keep in mind your housing needs and surrounding for all four years. I know someone who loved living in isla vista at first, but then hated it a couple years later because it felt crowded and was noisy. This may seem like the hardest decision, but you will likely be very happy at either school. </p>