Idk what school to go to!!! For reference, I know I want to do something with technology in the future, but not exactly sure what specifically.
for UC Davis, I got accepted under Biological Systems Engineering, which is basically biology and engineering, pretty self explanatory.
for University of San Diego, I got in under Computer Science (I’m a little iffy on this one because it’s a private school primarily known for business so their comp sci program is a bit small, but they’re one of the only colleges where students in the school of engineering graduate with a dual BS/BA degree)
and for Cal Poly SLO, I got in under Industrial Tech and Packaging, and I have a cousin who graduated under that major and she told me that it’s a mix of engineering and business, which I find really interesting and is something I wouldn’t mind pursuing.
I’ve just been debating between these three colleges for the past couple of weeks, and I really have no clue which to choose. IF I were to narrow it down, I’d probably take out USD, because the school is a little too small for my liking, and although the dual BS/BA degree really intrigues me, I think I could live without it. Any advice? Anything helps!!! 
Cost constraints? Which school environment do you like better?
And what major are you most interested in?
@Gumbymom my parents told me that money is not an issue for them, but Cal Poly is the cheapest, and USD the most expensive. I’m from the Bay Area, so I wouldn’t mind living a little north in Davis, but ever since I was a freshman, I’ve always wanted to go to school in SoCal. The only thing that’s stopping me from taking Davis out of the decision is that the major I got accepted under is also something I wouldn’t mind pursuing.
For SLO, I’ve been told that it can get boring unless you join a sorority, but I went on a school tour before and I really enjoyed it and the environment there. I joined the facebook groups where people try to find roommates, and I noticed that similar to USD, there’s a lot of caucasians in that group, however, my neighbor (also Asian) goes to SLO and she said there are a lot of caucasians, but there’s also a good amount of Asians and I shouldn’t worry about that.
For UC Davis, I don’t mind staying in NorCal, as it’s only 4 years and then I can move on to bigger and better things. Also, I have cousins who live 20 min away from Davis, so I can visit them anytime I want. I’ve heard the smell of the cows is a little unsettling, but you eventually get used to it. But the only negative thing for me is that I’ve been told that at Davis, a bike is a necessity. I personally am not a fan of bikes; I know how to ride them, but I’d prefer not to and I’d rather walk places than bike even if that means it takes longer.
For USD, I have a couple friends who currently go there, and they told me it’s hard to fit in. We’re all from the Bay Area, where theres LOT of Asians and we weren’t really exposed to cultures that wren’t Asian, and one of my friends told me he’s still going through a culture shock because of the many caucasians there. Also, since it is a private school, it’s a little small for my liking, but it’s not something that’ll deter me from wanting to go there.
If USD’s ethnic mix (57%W, 21%L, 8%A, 4%B) bothers you, then CPSLO’s similar ethnic mix (58%W, 16%L, 12%A, 1%B) may also be an issue for you. Even UCD is “only” 36% Asian.
On the other hand, it is not hard to find non-Asian people and cultural things in the bay area, so it seems odd that you have little exposure to such.
@ucbalumnus I’m not really sure! They all interest me in some way. I hope this doesn’t come off as really shallow, but my main goal out of college is to be able to find a well paying job, which is why I’m interested in something that deals with technology or engineering. For Davis, it’s the biology aspect mixed with engineering; I always enjoyed biology, so it’s combining 2 subjects I wouldn’t mind studying for the next 4 years. For SLO, it’s business mixed with engineering and although I’ve never really learned anything about business, It’s also something I’d be interested in studying. I’m meeting with a SLO alumni who graduated under Industrial Tech and Packaging next week, so maybe that’ll help me decide where I want to go. For USD, comp sci is a general topic, so after I graduate, I think I’d be able to secure some kind of job in the tech industry. However, for comp sci, I’m not quite sure how I feel about it because I have taken AP CS and I’m currently taking Calc BC, and although I like comp sci, it’s not something I’m super passionate about.
@ucbalumnus I’m from San Jose specifically, and most people who live in my area are either Vietnamese, Chinese, or Indian. Also, the high school I go to is 80% Asian (not exaggerating) so yeah that’s why LOL. It’s basically a smaller UCI except with even more Asians.
I think this is pretty easy selection. If I were you I will select between Davis and Calpoly. Now this is the decision you wanna make. Do you wanna go to a school with a better name? or a school that would offer you internships? Davis has a better name, but calpoly offers more opportunities.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/RHI125215/0668000 indicates that San Jose is 33%L, 32%A, 29%W, 3%B.
There is one public high school in San Jose that is 80% Asian, but it is not in either San Jose Unified or East Side Union (whose “most Asian” high school is 58% Asian).
You may want to look up how difficult it will be to change major to other majors at each school, since it looks like you are more likely than most students to change major.
The cow smell isn’t too bad, depending on which dorm you’re in at UCD. The school and the surrounding town are fantastic. It’s a quintessential college town. Have you visited Davis?