<p>Hey Everyone,</p>
<p>Im stuck in a dilema. Im currently a student at Cal Poly Pomona as a civil engineer about to finish my 3rd quarter as a freshman. However, i commute from Carson, CA, which is about a 50 min commute and unfortunately i cant afford the gas, or housing expenses near campus. The commuting is starting to take its toll on me and now im considering a transfer to CSULB. </p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona is highly praised for their excellent engineering program, whereas CSULB has a decent program. I was wondering if the 50 min commute ,5 days a week, would be worth the prestige factor of a top engineering school, or rather should i just transfer to CSULB where the engineering program is decent, and is only 10 minutes away from home. As of right now im kind of leaning towards CSULB, but im afraid i might regret the move i am about to make and wish that i should have stayed at CPP for its benefits. :[[[</p>
<p>STAY PUT!! Are you crazy? Since you are 50 miles away, how did you get out of the requirement to stay in the dorms as a freshman? Anyway, you are in a great school that has a prestigious Civil Engineering department. Find a way to get in the dorms. If you can, get in the Kellogg Honors College as well – priority registration will get you out sooner. </p>
<p>CSULB is now so impacted, yes worse than CPP, you may not graduate on time. So, it is either gas money now or an additional year later. Plus, you’re gonna get a great job. Do not be short-term penny wise and pound foolish.</p>
<p>I got out of the requirement to stay in the dorms, because for my first 2 quarters i stayed at my aunt and uncles house, which was 30 minutes away oppose to the 50 min. Unfortunately, they’re selling their house, so now i commute all the way from Carson. Also, im in the 4 year pledge program in CPP and get priority registration through that.</p>
<p>Im also planning on switching to mechanical/ aerospace engineering, so im not sure if that plays in as a factor in the decision making.</p>
<p>But yeah, one of the main factors of my transfer consideration is just the commute. It just seems like im consistently tired on the road, and its getting riskier everyday.Plus, its also hard to get involved as a 1 hour commuter.</p>
<p>Will staying at CPP make a huge difference… opposed to graduating engineering at CSULB? Because ive known some relatives who’ve graduated CSULB and were still able to get good jobs in the engineering industry. If the outcome will be somewhat similar, it might be more efficient to transfer… asdfahksdhfkajsd decision decisions haha.</p>
<p>Best of luck. Just remember that if you are going to transfer do it as soon as possible. Same thing about changing majors. The longer you delay changing majors the longer it will take to graduate. I actually like CSULB. I am just sold on the Cal Poly teaching style. My son is an mechanical engineering major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I support Cal Poly Pomona as it is a sister school and the two campuses were once one school. However, I retract my last statement about CSULB – it is a good school and very high in the rankings among the Cal State schools. If you can transfer and it will improve your life then you decide. If you are confused about what you want to study, I suggest that you go into mechanical engineering. This major really is the true general engineering major. Many firms hire ME’s including Aero firms and many others. Civil engineering is tough these days for job prospects, but long-term should be OK as American needs to rebuild its infrastructure. However, if you are unsure, ME will allow you many different choices. Even oil companies hire ME’s. Good luck. Pomona is a great school, but CSULB would serve you well too.</p>