<p>So this is my deal, I got into both as an economics major. I am trying to look at all the pros and cons...</p>
<p>I really like the look and vibe of Cal Poly SLO area. I like the "learn by doing" atmosphere and that there is more contact with your professors (in terms of a smaller class size from what I am gathering). On top of this, my fiance and I are working on a startup business, which requires him to be within the area--it would be easier to be there working with him on it. I would have a B.S. in Economics graduating from Cal Poly...</p>
<p>For Cal, I know they are highly ranked in Economics. I like the prestige it holds as a UC. I don't know about the surrounding area too much. At Cal I would have a B.A. (again I don't know how it would affect anything much being a B.A. vs B.S. in the subject?). Though I was accepted, I would have to wait until Spring of 2014 to start instead of Fall this year. It makes it hard because I am afraid I might not have the chance again if I feel like I should of gone with Cal, given that its highly ranked in my degree I am seeking... I am sure people would think I am nuts if I decide to go with Cal Poly!</p>
<p>Another thing I think about is the cumulative costs after graduation. Would it be wiser to look for as little debt while securing my degree, or pay into the UCB Degree (It actually would pay out)?</p>
<p>Though I know they are both good schools in their own rights, I don't know if it would be a better decision to go with Cal Poly then try for MBA school at Cal after a couple years work (the learn by doing might be a booster for the workforce/MBA programs). Perhaps I am crazy and it would be a better decision to go to Berkeley and that I would actually get more recognition from the MBA Program(s)?</p>
<p>You did not mention how much the cost and debt difference would be, or if you got in as a frosh or junior transfer.</p>
<p>BA vs. BS degree title does not really mean much.</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO economics is within the business division, and is likely more pre-professionally oriented. Berkeley economics is more math-oriented; the more math options for intermediate micro/macro economics and econometrics would be good choices to prepare for going on to a PhD program in economics.</p>
<p>I am a junior transfer from a community college, and I was referencing that usually the cost of a CSU is less than a UC. Also the cost of housing plays into that, meaning is rent more costly at Berkeley than Cal Poly or is it the same… is the fact that UC Berkeley is an urban environment going to make a big difference versus Cal Poly SLO? </p>
<p>Thank you for the information ucbalumnus, I will definitely look at the links you got there. </p>
<p>Still a bit undecided, I wish the decision was not tomorrow to make… eh…</p>
<p>Oh, I should say what I saw on the schools’ cost of attendence pages that Cal estimates about $30k (tuition around $12,000) and Cal Poly estimates about $24k (tuition around $8,000)</p>
<p>Do you have financial aid offers from either or both schools? Or will you be paying list price?</p>
<p>Other than the $12,000 over two years (if you are paying list price), the biggest factor would be that the schools have rather different emphases. One of them will probably be a better fit for your post-graduation goals, whatever they may be.</p>
<p>SLO is a very good and highly respected school, just not compared to Berkeley. Don’t count on getting in there for a graduated degree; it’s not a valid reason to pass up this opportunity. You wouldn’t necessarily be either nuts or crazy, but not many would advise you to pass up UCB. The vibe in Berkeley is just fine.</p>
<p>Guaranteed on-campus housing first year for transfers means you won’t have to look for off-campus apartments.</p>
<p>I think you should repost this question at both the UCB and Cal Poly thread. You will get more response that way. </p>
<p>As for your question, Cal is a great school. It has a strong economics department. Probably more so than Cal Poly. So on academics basis alone, Cal should be the logical choice.</p>
<p>However, there is also the issue of fit. I went to Cal as a freshman and didn’t fit me (e.g. hyper competitive, very big student body, high pressure environment), subsequently transferred and graduated from Cal Poly. I couldn’t have been happier with the fit. For me, the only UC I would have chosen over Cal Poly is UCB. But unfortunately, it was a bad fit for me, but I still loved the school. If it works for you, go to Cal.</p>
<p>Many moons ago, I started in Engineering at UCSB. Not Cal, yet still a UC. It just wasn’t geared for my type of learning. It was all theory, and no explanation of how I’d use it in the real world. After my Junior year, I still had yet to understand what the application of this knowledge would be. Classes were large, and I had difficulty understanding the professors’ English. I transferred to Cal Poly SLO and it was a totally different environment. Not necessarily right for everyone, but definitely for me.
The classes were smaller, and the faculty all got to know me personally. I thrived with the Learn by Doing philosophy. The town of San Luis Obispo had a great atmosphere. After graduation, I wished there was a way I could stay there.
As I’ve travelled all over the country, I’m surprised that most everyone I’ve met knew of Cal Poly. It has a great reputation, and my income has never suffered because I didn’t graduate from a UC. I hit the ground running, and never looked back.
You can get your MBA at so many great schools. Just my story… I studied in both systems, one was better for me. The other is better for thousands also.</p>
<p>I think CPSLO is one of the more overrated universities on this forum. I wouldn’t classify it as ‘very’ good or ‘highly’ respected. </p>
<p>Outside of California, and perhaps engineering circles, it has very little renown. It’s endowment is small, and although it has a smaller number of undergraduates for a public university (17K) when compared to schools like UCLA (27k) student to faculty ratios are similar (1:16), but quality of faculty is not. Given such a large student to faculty ratio, i’m not sure how much ‘hands on learning’ you’re able to effectively do. Class sizes likely won’t be small either.</p>
<p>Blah2009 has also criticized CPSLO graduates he’s met in the past:</p>
<p>That being said, CPSLO might be the better option for you. It might strain your relationship with your fiance to be farther away from him, and that might affect your academics. If you haven’t already, i’d seriously discuss the issue with your fiance to see what you can both handle. Undoubtedly, UCB is the better option. And while it isn’t ‘hands on learning’ real world experience could be gained through internships.</p>
<p>Given myself and Funky4string both had first hand experience with both a UC and Cal Poly, I think we have certain personal insights that lend our advice substantially more credence. </p>
<p>Cal Poly is very good and very well respected in many corners of the US, period. Anyone else saying otherwise is just conjecture. Even if you disregards its engineering school, its undergraduate architecture school and agriculture schools are some of the highest ranked schools in the US. Moreover, I often have to recruit staff in my position in private equity and I have to discuss hiring frequently with some of the most selective (picky to a fault) companies in the US (e.g Google, Facebook, Apple, etc). Recruiters from these companies all spoke very highly of Cal Poly and hire often on campus directly. I speak favorably of Cal Poly even after I compared my graduate school experience at Harvard. </p>
<p>I have several relatives who went through UCLA for engineering, I can tell you also that Cal Poly is very hands on by comparison. At SLO, most lectures are accompanied by a lab class, and all seniors have to complete a capstone project that requires them to put all they have learned into practice in their thesis prior to graduation. So you can’t really get through SLO without getting your hands dirty.</p>
<p>^OTOH, I actually taught at CalPoly and Berkeley as a engineering lecturer over two summers and have tutored countless SLO students. I stand by my statements and would recommend any upper tier UC (Davis and above) over SLO any day for engineering. I’m not arguing SLO isn’t hands on, but it’s hands on to a fault at the cost of theory. UCLA, Berkeley, UCSD have capstone projects too with labs as well.</p>
<p>Additionally, I’m not exactly sure how you can compare SLO to Harvard Business School. What exactly are the commonalities or benefits of SLO that make it “better”? And you mentioned you’re in PE, but yet you’re advising google and amazon on hiring decisions?</p>
<p>@OP – You certainly have an interesting dilemma! I believe that both schools are excellent and the choices are tough. As far as the $6,000 annual difference, I would not see this as a deal breaker. With regards to your fiance, there were long stretches in my younger years that I was separated from my then girlfriend, and now wife of 30 years, for months/years and thousands of miles. We worked out just fine as we knew our goals were just as important as our relationship.</p>
<p>Having said that, I fall into the Cal Poly SLO camp and agree with Funky4String and ickglue. I do not feel Cal Poly SLO is overrated in any way and I find Blah2009’s postings quite patronizing.</p>
<p>My son turned down UCLA, UCSD and several other UC’s for Cal Poly for engineering. We have not regretted this choice one iota and the results have been extraordinary. He is only a sophomore and already he has interest from Apple and SpaceX. Plus his team at an international competition recently beat every other California team including Cal.</p>
<p>Having said that, you are looking for the right Econ degree. If that is the case, you need to seriously look at Cal. Econ is not business. It is theory based and more of a social science than a business major. If your goal is to become a business person then Cal Poly will be of great assistance. If you plan to be an economics professor or theorist than Cal could be your better route (don’t forget that Cal also has a great business school). What exactly do you want to do? I would first decide if it is business or econ that is your preferred orientation. Then make the choice based on that.</p>
<p>Blah2009 – I have also been a lecturer at the university level. I’ve taught at UCLA, USC and Cal State Fullerton. I completely disagree with your assessment that Cal Poly is “hands on to a fault at the cost of theory.” In fact, Cal Poly teaches theory in the lecture hall and then demonstrates and proves it in the lab. Few other programs are as competent in doing this.</p>
<p>"I’m not exactly sure how you can compare SLO to Harvard Business School. What exactly are the commonalities or benefits of SLO that make it “better”? And you mentioned you’re in PE, but yet you’re advising google and amazon on hiring decisions? "</p>
<p>Not sure what you don’t understand about the comparison. I made a reference to my time at HBS because it gave me a best of class reference point for university level education. So even after comparing my experience at HBS to SLO, I still consider a Cal Poly education to be of outstanding caliber. I never said SLO is better than HBS. Perhaps, you think there was an inference when there was none.</p>
<p>I am in PE, not HR. I never said I advised Goog. And I never mentioned Amazon. I speak with them about talent acquisitions because they are often our exit partners for our deals. </p>
<p>For a teacher, perhaps you need to read more slowly and carefully next time. And glad you are not teaching at SLO anymore.</p>
<p>"Moreover, I often have to recruit staff in my position in private equity and I have to discuss hiring frequently with some of the most selective (picky to a fault) companies in the US (e.g Google, Facebook, Apple, etc). Recruiters from these companies all spoke very highly of Cal Poly and hire often on campus directly. I speak favorably of Cal Poly even after I compared my graduate school experience at Harvard. "</p>
<p>Yes, I’ll read your stuff slower next time. <em>rolls eyes</em>. How about you write less ambiguously? Your sentences are open to wide interpretation. I would expect more from a senior member of a PE firm. You must be a pleasure to deal with for clients considering how easily your feathers get ruffled. Your lack of articulation and composure would get you canned at most companies - certainly if I were doing the hiring (rest assured however, McKinsey and every other top consulting firm has no desire to recruit from CalPoly in the least).</p>
<p>ickglue, I believe that Blah2009 is a ■■■■■ looking to manufacture disagreement and discord online. I apologize for getting hooked by Blah’s postings. I should have guessed by the moniker and the attitude that Blah is well, Blah, blah, blah…nothing but a ■■■■■.</p>