<p>This is honestly the biggest decision that I have ever faced in my life. I CANNOT decide between cal poly slo and uc davis. I am a declared english major, but that is likely to change (I know how difficult it is to change majors at cal poly, and that does worry me). I really adore both of these campuses. I visited UC Davis a while back and truly loved its sprawling campus & friendly people, and how you can easily double major there. I am just a tad worried that it might be a little boring. As for Cal Poly SLO, I visited it today and really fell in love with it. I loved the location, the people, and the general excitement on campus. Also, my mom works in the CSU system, so I would get half off of tuition as a student. I would leave SLO with no debt, while I would leave UCD with possibly 15K in debt. I have so many interests, and I really cannot decide what I want to do with my life after college (grad school, law school, med school…it all sounds good). Please please please give me some advice! the clock is ticking :/. By the way, I am in state, from socal, although I prefer NorCal for a lot of reasons. Thank you!</p>
<p>please?? anybody? i’m kind of freaking out right now, I really need to make this decision.</p>
<p>This is a decision you’re ultimately going to have to make yourself. One thing my mom told me to do when deciding on colleges is to sit down a literally write down all the pros and cons of each school and then analyse it. </p>
<p>For me personally, money plays an important factor for my family and for me. One of the reasons why I chose not to go to a UC was because I knew I couldn’t afford it. How much debt would you be willing to have once you get your degree? Not having any debt from Cal Poly would automatically be a dealbreaker for me. I have visited UC Davis and I honestly was not that impressed with it. Also the fact that UC’s are more “research” while CSU’s (especially Cal Poly) is more “hands-on” learning is especially important for me and my major. I am an animal science major. At UC Davis I would mostly be doing research on animals while at Cal Poly I get to actually work with and handle horses and learn that way. That was also a dealbreaker for me. </p>
<p>While I agree Northern California is beautiful and “different” from Southern California, I’m very sensitive to the cold, and Northern California is too cold for me. It’s true, you can’t beat southern and central california’s climate and weather.</p>
<p>All of this is just how I made my decision. You have to consider what it is YOU find important in a college. Like I said, sit down and really think about what would be best for you. Good Luck!</p>
<p>My daughter had no problem choosing Cal Poly over UC Davis. Something just didn’t click with Davis. The town was cute, but she just couldn’t feel the vibe on campus. If you can get half tuition paid for
because of your mom’s CSU employment, I would say " go for it". Graduating without debt in today’s economy is a real plus. And, Cal Poly is nothing to sneeze at. Harder to get into than Davis. But, it’s ultimately your decision! Best wishes!</p>
<p>thank you guys for your input, it really helps a lot! I think at the moment I’m leaning towards cal poly, but davis is so appealing because I feel like I’ve been working my whole high school career to get into a UC…ugh. anybody else have any input?</p>
<p>First of all let’s get straight on the changing of major issue at Cal Poly. It is NOT and I repeat, it is NOT as difficult to change majors as many suggest. Here is the reality:</p>
<p>(1) If you want to change majors within your college (for example from English to History in the College of Liberal Arts) all you need to do is visit your counselor and discuss it. Then put a plan together for the transition. My kid changed from General Engineering to Mechanical Engineering. One meeting, put in the request and as soon as his grades were in he was notified electronically of his status change. No big deal, no drama – he just asked for and received it.
(2) Where the difficulty comes into play is changing from one college to another. For example From Business to Engineering. Different colleges, different requirements. Not impossible but, many more hurdles to jump over. Also, if you have an extremely low GPA or are on academic probation (the “other” AP) – that could thwart you efforts to change majors as well.</p>
<p>As far as which school to choose? I know too little about the College of Liberal Arts to comment. You may have more flexibility to explore at UC Davis. Cal Poly is known for its STEM majors. However, Cal Poly does have a good Liberal Arts program – no debt at a school you really like? Very compelling argument.</p>
<p>thanks osakadad that is also very encouraging to hear. i actually just had the opportunity to talk to a current Cal Poly English major on the phone, and she said that she was easily able to go outside of her major. she has two minors (spanish and psychology, but she said that she could have easily gone outside of the college of liberal arts to get one, too) and is finishing on time. i just LOVE the small school within a large state school feeling that i think the english major at Cal Poly would give me. However, im finding it very difficult to reject the UC system…</p>
<p>On the surface it would appear that you might be better off being at UC Davis given the university’s academic focus is much broader than Cal Poly’s science/engineering/architecture specialization.</p>
<p>But given the state of the economy and your extraordinarily cheap tuition, Davis’ liberal arts superiority might not be justified by its price. Personally, I would probably choose the debt free route (Cal Poly) and go to a top notch graduate program afterward.</p>
<p>With regards to your question about rejecting the UC system, I am curious would you be saying the same thing if you had to choose only between UC Merced/Riverside vs Cal Poly? I would surmise the choice would be a lot easier in that case.</p>
<p>In other words, I don’t think you are necessarily rejecting the UC “system” rather you are choosing between a mid-tier UC and Cal Poly.</p>
<p>I agree with ickglue’s post. It’s not like you’re trying to decide between UC Berkeley and UCLA. And, even then, for majors like engineering and architecture, Cal Poly is often chosen over those two UCs. As for liberal arts/English, I would still say Cal Poly. I remember when my daughter was making her choice between Cal Poly and USC,it was a bit hard for even ME to give up that beautiful acceptance package they sent in the mail. But, that also came with a huge price tag–much like someone sending us fancy brochures for a Mercedes that we can’t afford. And, I admit, it was a little hard for me to know she was also turning down UC Davis’ offer. Like you said, giving up a UC??! But, as mentioned, even a mid tier UC isn’t as “impressive” to many as Cal Poly is. I can’t begin to tell you how much positive feedback I get when people ask me what college my daughter attends. And, one of the statements I always hear is, “Wow–Cal Poly is hard to get into!”. I don’t hear those same things when I mention she also got into UC Davis. NOT that it’s a bad school. It’s not! But, Cal Poly also has so much to offer in addition to the school, itself. Everyone seems to love the area around SLO. Parents love visiting kids there! Not so much in Davis. And, again—coming out of school without debt is a huge plus. And, it’s not like you’re trying to decide between Davis and a very low tier CSU.</p>
<p>I agree with everything you have been told and nobody can “rid you” of a feeling that UC’s are better if you have internalized that belief. My son turned down UC Davis(with good money) and other schools for the College Liberal Arts at Cal Poly. His particular path is a unique combination of technology and the arts and without doubt he has the flexibility of courses that he needs.</p>
<p>He understood immediately at admitted students day that he would never be just a number to the people in his department. Almost every class that he has had this year has been under 30 students(including all but one of his GE’s). While Davis had much to offer and everyone was really nice and encouraging his choice was clear. Having come in with a ton of AP’s he will be able to do his major and 2 minors and still get out in 4 years.</p>
<p>Graduating with no debt should be a powerful incentive in this economy. Only you can decide what is right for you. Please let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>Thank you all SO MUCH for your responses! You are all amazing people and you have quelled all of my fears and worries. I am very very excited to report that I will be a Cal Poly SLO Mustang next year!! :D</p>
<p>Congratulations!! Great choice!!</p>
<p>Way to go, zippo1327! Congratulations on your choice. And, it was a GOOD choice! I hope you can make it to SOAR. And, Week of Welcome (WOW) is not to be missed! They do a fabulous job of acclimating students to the university. My daughter went to WOW and never looked back! Cal Poly was her new home! And, after almost 2 years, she’s still loving it.</p>