Help! Between Cal Poly SLO and UC Davis!

Parents Forum
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<p>First time visitor here. I'm not a parent but I thought I would ask your opinions. Or you could ask your kids.</p>

<p>As you know decision time is coming up soon. I've narrowed down my choices to Cal Poly SLO and UC Davis as the title says. My first choice is Cal Poly for these reasons:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I know it's in the CSU system, but it's known to be a great school</p></li>
<li><p>Easier drive for my parents and myself when I get a car</p></li>
<li><p>Fun and social atmosphere at the school and town/area. Good college town</p></li>
<li><p>Not that far to Santa Barbara and LA by train or bus. Same with SF</p></li>
<li><p>Affordable</p></li>
</ul>

<p>US Davis doesn't appeal to me quite as much. </p>

<p>I know it's a UC and that would probably be the ONLY reason I would attend. You know--more prestigious,etc. </p>

<p>I know it has a nice college town too, but it doesn't seem to be in such a vibrant area. Once you get out of the town it's all flat and just not as pretty. Weather also isn't as good.</p>

<p>Davis is bigger and the campus is huge. I only visited once during Homecoming but I just didn't get the best vibe. I even went to the football game and the student population didn't appeal to me that much. I realize that not everyone was at the game! But I still couldn't get into the whole school for some reason. </p>

<p>Did I not give Davis a good chance? Would I be foolish to give up a good UC for Cal Poly SLO? I can understand if it was Merced or Riverside. </p>

<p>Davis is affordable, too. At least if they continue to give me the almost-$5,000 UG scholarship. My parents can pay for it and I also wouldn't need to take out the loans they offered me. </p>

<p>But, I really would prefer Cal Poly at this point. I get mixed reactions from friends and relatives. Some just see the 'UC' in front and think that means BEST. Others say that Cal Poly is more chill and a fun environment but still academically challenging. In fact I would say most people including adults always have something good to say about Cal Poly. I don't hear that as much about UC Davis. Maybe it means more people get into CP? </p>

<p>I don't know! It's so confusing! I don't want to miss up the chance to attends a UC, but why am I so drawn to a CSU?? (Cal Poly) Help!</p>

<p>Any thoughts? Please let me know as soon as you can! I need to make this decision soon.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>What is your planned major? It’s true that UCs are generally academically stronger than Cal States, but Cal Poly SLO is very strong, as strong as UCs, in certain majors.</p>

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<p>Think about what kind of academic environment you’d get the most out of. Do you like studying theory or do you prefer hands-on, practical learning? Take a look at the curricula for your major at both colleges. Note how many labs are part of the Cal Poly curriculum, and compare that with UCD. Some kids love the learning-by-doing philosopy of Cal Poly, while for other kids the idea leaves them cold.</p>

<p>Imagine yourself taking all of the classes in your major at each school. Which set of classes is more interesting and appealing to you?</p>

<p>Having said all that, I think you should go with your gut feel. Both schools are outstanding, especially if you’re considering eingineering.</p>

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<p>Conventional wisdom is that it’s very hard to change majors at Cal Poly. If you know you’re set, then fine, but buyer beware.</p>

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<p>Follow YOUR instincts and not the opinions of friends and family. You are the one who has to live and learn at either institution–not your friends or family. My D was in the same situation and chose the lesser known school because it was the best fit. You know what’s best for you. Trust yourself</p>

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<p>I really think it depends on what you want to major in and if that major is offered at both schools. If you are unsure I have heard many stories about how difficult it is to change your major at SLO.</p>

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<p>Not sure about this but you might have more research opportunities at UCD vs SLO. If that’s important to you, that would tip the scales in favor of the UC.</p>

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<p>I know about the difficulty with changing majors at Cal Poly. But I also know of students who have switched majors without THAT much difficulty. You just have to jump through more hoops. I even spoke to two students during our tour and one is on her third major and she’s going to graduate on time! Another guy is on his second and was on track to graduate in 3 years but is going for a minor just to stay for four years. He likes it that much! haha</p>

<p>My major at Cal Poly isn’t the same as it is at UC Davis. Neither one is something that either of the schools are “famous” for, so that wouldn’t sway me toward one or the other.</p>

<p>Is there an area here on this forum where I can ask some kids their opinions, too? Without going to each school’s message board? More biased. I would kind of like to hear from current students or ones that have been to either school. Aside from the academics I really want to find out how each college measures up on a social and “happiness” scale. Oh and I forgot to mention the proximity of the beach at Cal Poly. I like that.</p>

<p>Thanks again to all of you who replied. It all helps.</p>

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<p>So far you sound as if you prefer CalPoly SLO and given that should strongly consider attending there but I don’t know how the cost compares given the UCD scholarship (but it has a higher base cost) and how important that is to you and your family.</p>

<p>CalPoly SLO is pretty highly regarded so I wouldn’t let some kind of ‘UC Davis prestige’ variable be much of a factor. </p>

<p>You say you habe different majors at the different colleges. Is the difference significant - i.e. does it determine your career? If so, I recommend going with the major that leads to your desired career. If it’s something more general such as a stepping stone to a grad degree, then it might not matter.</p>

<p>Wherever you go you’ll be living there for roughly 4 years so the area and logistics of traveling back and forth are factors to consider. </p>

<p>I don’t see how you’ll get too much info regarding ‘vibe’ at the campuses since it’s so subjective. Both campuses have a large number of students so it seems that anyone who makes an effort (and not all do) can probably find some friends and activities.</p>

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<p>I heard that UC Davis is better than some other UCs in term of college life. Of course, it does not have beaches. But it’s close to mountain life, skiing,…</p>

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<p>Keep in mind that the beaches around SLO aren’t like the beaches around LA/SD. The beaches up there are ‘cold’ all year. The water’s always cold and there’s a good chance the beach will be socked in with low clouds and the temps will be in the 60s in the summer (not SLO itself which is actually a bit inland). However, the beach area around Morro Bay and other areas around there are scenic. It’s just not ‘beachy’ in the same way as southern cal.</p>

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<p>It depends on what you want to major in and what you are looking for in a school and in a college experience. Academically both are fine schools, but there are differences. Davis is a comprehensive university and has a PhD program, business school, medical school, veterinary school and law school and the opportunities and emphases those bring to a campus, and SLO does not. Davis has a football team and Div. 1 sports and SLO does not.</p>

<p>Davis is a small, self-contained town - a true college town with something of a crunchy granola vibe. When I was there the kids all seemed pretty happy with it. UC Davis got its start over a hundred years ago as Berkeley’s agriculture station and still carries something of a moo factor to this day. SLO has better weather than Davis. Davis is closer to the bright lights of the Bay Area and to also the ski slopes. And so on…</p>

<p>They each have pluses and minuses. It just depends on what you are looking for.</p>

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<p>Prestige is not everything, and I honestly don’t think there’s a huge difference between the two schools. My son was accepted to UC Santa Barbara, Davis and Irvine, but he chose to go to chose Cal Poly (and no he’s not in engineering or an architecture, two of Cal Poly’s better known programs). He is very happy there (although in the interest of full disclosure he did consider transferring freshman year, but he worked it out).</p>

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<p>OP the reasons you list for preferring Cal Poly over UC Davis are all of a subjective and personal nature. They can’t be disputed. So if these are the basis by which you’ll pick one over the other then there really is no argument.</p>

<p>I encourage you though, since the decision will affect your academic life and possible career, to put these personal impressions aside and look at the academics as the first priority. Often in this forum the OP asks for help on deciding between two very different colleges – different in terms of size, geography, student body. But that’s not the case here. Ethnically, and culturally the student populations at the two colleges are the same. The difference in location is a matter of hairsplitting. They are both within 2 hours or so of a major metropolis. They mostly have unbelievably great weather. They are both within 2 hours of great recreational opportunities. They are of similar size. They have rather similar college town settings. So the significant difference between them is the academics, the depth and breadth of the education, and possibly the seriousness of the students in academic areas that matter to you.</p>

<p>If your interest were computer science – then Cal Poly is clearly the better choice. If your interest were veterinary science/agriculture then Davis is the better choice. I take it that you’re in between somewhere. Cal Poly is not the best place for someone “in between”. Davis is the better college – almost as good as UC Berkeley and UCLA. For the “in between” majors it has the better faculty, and the stronger students.</p>

<p>My opinion is that you really need to rethink how you’re going about deciding.</p>

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<p>Well put fogcity. I think the OP is putting too much emphasis on ‘vibe’ and such sort of thing as attending a football game, that sort of thing will be immaterial in a year’s time and it seems short sighted not to consider the academic differences first.</p>

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<p>I notice you said UC Davis has a football team and Cal Poly does not. That’s not true.</p>

<p>**[NCAA</a> Members By Division](<a href=“http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/divisionListing]NCAA”>http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/divisionListing)</p>

<p>UC Davis and Cal Poly SLO are both in the same Big West Conference. </p>

<p>[Football](<a href=“http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=sports&id=29891]Football[/url][/B”>http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=sports&id=29891)[/B</a>]</p>

<p>Would you say that the college town of Davis is better than San Luis Obispo? I liked both towns when I visited but there seemed to be more going on in SLO. They had a lot of locally owned shops and businesses but some decent chain stores too. Davis seems more about local-mostly.</p>

<p>I am not interested in research in my undergraduate years. I will definitely go to another school for my master’s–and one that is most likely more involved in research.</p>

<p>I was just thinking that I might enjoy a smaller school like Cal Poly as an undergrad. It seems the classes will be smaller and more chance to know professors and students. </p>

<p>If I get my master’s degree at a school like UC Davis or even more prestigious school I would think it would look fine on my resume. But I would think a college like Cal Poly would look great too.</p>

<p>Well I appreciate your comparisons and thoughts! Every little bit counts. I just want to be sure I make the right decision for myself.</p>

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<p>@SDMomof3-</p>

<p>thank you for your thoughts. May I ask why your son was considering transferring? I’m glad that it worked out though!</p>

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<p>My son turned down UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UCI, and other highly regarded schools for Cal Poly. He loved the Davis campus but thought he would get a better “hands on” education at Cal Poly. When he filled out the online survey about why he decided not to go to Davis, there was a drop down menu as to which school he was going to, and Cal Poly was the first one on the list. So I think many students decide on Cal Poly over Davis. Having said that, go where you think you would be most comfortable. Don’t worry about the reputation. Cal Poly has a great reputation, especially amongst employers.</p>

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<p>@fogcity-</p>

<p>thank you for sharing your insight and comparisons. I understand what you’re saying about the similarities. Davis felt a lot bigger to me when I was there but maybe because it was so flat.</p>

<p>I’m not in an “in between” major at either school. Cal Poly is kinesiology and i plan to apply to occupational therapy grad schools. They even have an emphasis on O.T. so students can take the right prerequisites. At UC Davis my major would be Human Development. I would also go the same route in grad school. So I would need to get a Master’s degree no matter which school I attended. Neither of them offer the O.T. degree.</p>

<p>So for me it’s not as much about the academics right now. I know both schools will satisfy that. It’s not that I care about the letters “UC”. But something about UC Davis always sounded good to me. But then so did Cal Poly SLO. They both have seemed on the same level in many ways. But then I had to start listening to people about the whole UC–thing–blah, blah, blah. I agree that I should listen to myself in the end.</p>

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<p>@BrownParent</p>

<p>You’re right. I am very interested in the ‘vibe’ because I’ll be living there and spending my time with the students and townspeople. College isn’t just about the academics. Of course if there was a particular program such as engineering or business at a certain school which I felt to be important~naturally I would consider that regardless of the ‘vibe’.</p>

<p>I already am aware of the academics at both schools and the good/bad points. I really want to make sure I wouldn’t be passing up the UC label for a school like Cal Poly just because I might enjoy the area and student population more at CP. That’s all.</p>