<p>Im a community college student in southern California. I will be applying for fall 2014 in the coming months. Comparing University of California Riverside, UC Irvine, and Cal Poly Pomona which of these schools has the best computer engineering program, and which school do employers prefer to hire from, I really want to work for Tesla Motors one day and would like them to be impressed with my school and grades. I do not have any current interest in a masters degree i just want a bs in computer engineering and find a job after graduation. So which of these three schools would be the best option?</p>
<p>Isn’t UCI the only UC with a dedicated Computer Sciences department or something like that? I remember hearing it’s unique for computer sciences in some aspect, but I’m not exactly sure what it is now. Between UCI and UCR, I would say that UCI has a better reputation overall, and if they really have a dedicated dept like I think they do, that’s probably better, too. I don’t really know anything about Cal Poly Pomona, though.</p>
<p>I agree with SBVett; I’ve heard there is a devoted school of Computer Science at UC Irvine (not exactly computer engineering though).</p>
<p>UCI. But UCR does give good financial aid though.</p>
<p>Which school do you believe i have a better chance getting into? i have a 3.5 gpa and i completed most of prereqs except i wont be able to complete my last physics at community college. I also work part time 24 hours a week.</p>
<p>Dunno. I just know that Microsoft specifically recruits only Computer Engineering major students from Cal Poly Pomona for the high tech recruitment fairs on campus. There’s lots of other big name companies, but I didn’t check to look for “computer engineering” when I did it. I know that industry loves Cal Poly Pomona and SLO graduates. Never had a problem getting an internship personally.</p>
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You’re already getting off on the wrong foot. </p>
<p>Engineering education is largely standardized by ABET. You’ll study about the same things no matter where you go. Prestige-wise UCI is probably a bit ahead of the others. But that isn’t what’s going to get you a job, at Tesla or elsewhere. What future employers really want to see is experience. Take part in school projects to get some real-world experience in actually designing a real product rather than just turning in homework assignments. Leverage that into internships or even a quarter off doing a co-op. </p>
<p>So experience is the real key to being a strong candidate, yet it doesn’t seem even to be on your radar since you think hiring decisions are based on school name and GPA.</p>
<p>@mikemac, although I do agree with much of what you say, you can’t definitively speak for “all employers”. Sure, employers would rather take someone with experience compared to none. That being said, who do you think they’d have to pay more? </p>
<p>@OP, My advice would be to get the absolute best grades you can, try to get involved in school projects or internships if you have the time. </p>
<p>My sister was an engineering major at UCI. Zot Zot! She loved her time there, never had an internship (worked at claim jumpers and L. steak house) and she now works for Intel. Need I say more?</p>
<p>I’ve read good things about the Cal Polys’ engineering programs. From a financial standpoint they make a lot of sense.</p>
<p>What are my chances for these schools computer engineering programs?</p>
<p>Gpa = 3.5
preqs = will all be completed except last semester of physics</p>
<p>Ec= 1 honors class, work 24+ hours a week for the last three years (since i graduated high school), volunteered once for habit for hunanity</p>