<p>My son was just admitted at Cal Poly Pomona for landscape architecture. We are from NJ and are interested in learning more about the program- he is extremely focused on the environment and is interested in ecological design. </p>
<p>I know the school has a reputation as a commuter school- is there life on campus on weekends? </p>
<p>Also concerned about how the budget cuts are going to impact the school and ability to graduate within 5 years (I believe LandArch. is a 5 year pgm).</p>
<p>CPP would be a good choice for any major in the College of Environmental Design especially if he has an ecological focus. Though not the same, the architecture department was noted as one of the top three schools with a sustainable focus by Architecture Magazine and both the architecture and landscape architecture majors benefit from the Center for Regenerative Studies.</p>
<p>Only the architecture major is 5 years. The landscape architecture major is still a 4 year program like any other. </p>
<p>As far as the budgets, all UCs, CSUs and public colleges all over the country have been hit similar across the board cuts, so I don’t think it makes a difference unless he chooses a well funded private college for a lot more money, but even they have been hit.</p>
<p>As far as the commuter campus and weekend life, things could get better, but they have greatly improved in the last few years. There are currently nearly 4,000 beds on campus, which is one of the largest counts in the CSU. There are also a bunch of things to do in the LA and Orange County areas.</p>
<p>Come for a visit, it’s probably one of the prettiest campuses in California.</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona has one of the top colleges of environmental design and architecure in the nation. The university, as a whole, is more of a commuter campus, but close to 4,000 students live on campus, and most of those in the most prestigious colleges and departments (arch, engineering, etc) live on or close to campus.</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona is in the county of Los Angeles, a mere 27 miles from downtown LA and is also in close proximity to the Orange County and the Inland Empire --all big urban areas of their own.</p>
<p>Aside from its vast alumni network, CPP would offer your son a better place to get internships, co-ops and eventual employment. Many students at Cal Poly Pomona commute indeed, and that is because they tend to work on their field of study --not a bad thing to do in today’s economy.</p>
<p>You should go visit the campus if you are seriously considering it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona also offers a ‘four year pledge’ program. A student who signs up for the program submits a 4-year plan (or 5-year in the case of the B.Arch degree) and is given priority scheduling as long they stick to the plan. The College of Environmental Design really pushes this for it’s students so they can stay on track to graduate.
You also find that you have to be flexible in your scheduling - i.e. willing to take early morning classes, to take classes all five days per week, to take a ‘less popular’ instructor, etc. If you’re flexible, you can get the classes you need.</p>
<p>P.S. Congratulations to your son! Cal Poly Pomona is a great place. My daughter is a freshman architecture major and, while she is working her butt off, she’s making good friends and having a great experience.</p>
<p>I appreciate all of your responses/comments. I am comparing the program to Rutgers Landscape Architecture program. It looks like there is a lot more gen ed required at Cal Poly but perhaps that is just because of the trimester model.</p>
<p>I have a BSLA from CPP and now practice out of state. One of the things you need to consider is whether your child will practice right out of college or attend grad school. If they will seek licensure and practice directly out of college then you need to ask where? </p>
<p>Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona is understandably very California-centric. The plant palette you will learn will be applicable to California. The laws and construction methods will be applicable to California. There isn’t a lot of discussion on how to design for snow or cold climates. So, I would say that if your student wants to move back to NJ and practice it may be better to go to grad school or a school in a cold climate. On the other hand, CPP does an excellent job of preparing students for the LARE and many CPP students pass on the first attempt. Additionally, most CPP LA students will be employed before graduating.</p>
<p>I also lived on campus while at CPP. Weekends were pretty quiet. However, that was before the new suites were constructed. Also, as mentioned previously in this thread, there are many things to do very close to CPP. Disneyland, Six Flags, beaches, mountains, and Vegas are all within relatively short driving distances.</p>
<p>When I was at CPP the program was four years. I believe SLO has a give year program. You will need to take 16 units to graduate in four years. The ENV building is a great environment in which to learn and most cohorts are relatively tightly knit.</p>
<p>@smartypants, did you get a job right away after graduating CPP? Or did you go to grad school? I was thinking about switching majors to landscape architecture, but I’m still trying to learn more about the program. Is there anymore you can tell me about it? Thanks!</p>
<p>CPP has a large network lf LA’s in SoCal. I had a job by my junior year. Now, with the economy the way it is I’m not sure how students are doing these days. You should talk to a few of the professors to see if you would be a good fit. There is a big concern about sustainability and native landscaping. Get in tough with Kyle Brown or Gerry Taylor or Phil Pregill. They will be able to give you all the details. It’s a great program.</p>