<p>Hey guys, I was accepted into both UCSC and Cal Poly Pomona for Computer Engineering and was wondering the pros and cons of each school. I've visited both campuses and I like them equally well. What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>I can not imagine two more different colleges that are both state schools. Here are my biased, politically incorrect and completely anecdotal impressions. (WARNING: A good sense of humor is required for reading this post!! Many people will be/should be offended.)</p>
<p>UCSC: Great Liberal Arts school in the woods, close to nature, liberal to the extreme (To a fault actually - if you have any politically conservative, traditional religious or even overt mainstream leanings you will be very uncomfortable here unless you can completely ignore your surroundings. If you are a heterosexual female that likes to wear make up, heels and dresses, expect to be ostracized. If you are a homosexual or transgender female that likes to wear make up, heels and dresses, you will be welcomed with open arms. If you are liberal, new age, non-traditional, hipster or hippie, a White/Asian person with Rastafarian dreadlocks or an Antisemite/pro-Palestinian activist that supports boycotts of Israel you will love this school. Also, socialists, communists and supporters of the late Hugo Chavez will be very much at home here. Oh yeah, if you have a tendency to wear Che Guevara and/or Chairman Mao T-shirts and have no idea who they really were or how many people they murdered but still think that it’s cool and trendy than you will fit in beautifully.) More seriously, this is primarily a research institution – the main focus will not be to prepare you for a job after college. Not to say that they will ignore preparing you for the future, but it will be less hands on and more theory. This program will prepare you for grad school. I have several friends that graduated from UCSC and they are all fun oddballs. All of them said the school is for crazy people but they enjoyed their experience tremendously and gave me all the comments above!!</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona: Closer to large urban areas. Much of the campus commutes to school but there are dorms and you will get the “college” experience. Excellent for STEM, Agricultural and Business majors. Hands on and practical in nature. The main focus will be to prepare you for the workforce and provide internship opportunities. The school has very strong local ties to business and public institutions/utilities that employ many grads at good starting salaries. The program will also prepare you for grad school if that is what you want. If you have asthma, you should expect to use your inhaler more often as Pomona catches a lot of the smog from LA. If you don’t like the smell of manure, think twice. They raise Arabian horses on campus and use fertilizers on the local agriculture fields. In warm weather it gets very ripe. However, both the Arabians and the fields add charm to the school too. Avoid walking near the campus’ distinctive CLA building – it has serious structural flaws and literally could collapse in an earthquake (not a joke). It needs to be reinforced or demolished and rebuilt - see links: <a href=“[5500+] Hollywood Wallpapers | Wallpapers.com”>[600+] California Wallpapers | Wallpapers.com; <a href=“CLA Building - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLA_Building</a> Otherwise, it is a great, politically and ethnically diverse campus.</p>
<p>Bottom line, both schools are great institutions and you just need to decide which one you fit best at. The two schools have very different focuses and environments. </p>
<p>I agree the schools are really quite different. I can’t imagine as a perspective student, you really like the both equally. Visualize yourself at each and I think your answer will become clear. </p>
<p>^^ What both of the above said. </p>
<p>I read the thread earlier and didn’t respond because I can’t wrap my head around liking the two “equally well.” I wonder if you’ve actually visited them in person? Or just virtually? Both have good academics. So go for the vibe you like. Traditional STEM school vs uber-accepting, free-spirited, forest life. </p>
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<p>It is a pretty gloomy outlook for that situation when there is the usually unstated assumption (from all sides making political noise) that one cannot be both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian.</p>
<p>The UCSC graduates I know are not hippies or extreme leftists or anything like that.</p>
<p>Loved OsakaDad’s comparison! Hilarious! My son was accepted to UCSC (CompE) and Cal Poly Pomona (ChemE). I actually think he would fit in at either location. But, I have a question about SIRing to either of these. Is there any impact on waiting until the end of April (for other UC decisions) or should a decision be made quickly? Is there any chance of running out of housing at Pomona or being denied admission?</p>
<p>I don’t think you risk either rescinding as long as you tell them before their deadline. You may risk not getting your on-campus housing choice @ CPP. It might be a good idea to submit a deposit there just in case. </p>
<p>Well, this fact should not be a deciding factor, however, Forbes ranked UCSC as 159 on their list VS CPP at 336 (please check my stats) Son #1 is deciding between these 2 schools, as well. Forbes uses different criteria than other ranking. It includes Student Satisfaction, Grad Rates, Awards, post Grad Success, etc…</p>
<p>Every UCSC graduate I’ve worked with has had a neckbeard and worn sandals to work.</p>
<p>CPP has a very low four year graduation rate, but this is likely due to student-related factors like students needing remedial courses, not following their majors’ course plans, etc. CPP does offer a four year graduation pledge program: <a href=“https://www.csupomona.edu/~academic/programs/grad_pledge/”>https://www.csupomona.edu/~academic/programs/grad_pledge/</a></p>
<p>However, engineering is quite rigorous, and some colleges include overloads (more 15 or 16 credits per semester or quarter in their four year degree plans). That may contribute to a higher risk of needing extra semesters or quarters for students who are not at the top end academically.</p>
<p>If you go to <a href=“Higher Education Research Institute”>http://www.heri.ucla.edu/GradRateCalculator.php</a> and create a hypothetical college with students of the same academic characteristics of your student, you may find out how likely students like your student graduate in four, five, and six years.</p>