UCI CHP vs. UCSD vs. Cal Poly SLO

I’ve been admitted to UCI’s Campuswide Honors Program for Civil Engineering, UCSD for Structural Engineering in Roosevelt College, and Cal Poly SLO for Civil Engineering. I’m unsure about which school to register at.

UCI’s Honors benefits seem really nice so I feel like I’m considering them the most. However, I’ve heard that their engineering programs aren’t as good as the programs at UCSD or SLO and that the surrounding area is boring and has nothing to do. Also, the Honors program requires CHP students to do a humanities core class which apparently can be unnecessary.

UCSD would be a great school but I really don’t want to be in the Roosevelt college. Muir was my 1st choice and Roosevelt was my 4th because of the brutal GE’s. I also feel like Structural Engineering is a lot more limiting than Civil Engineering.

As for Cal Poly SLO, I feel like it would be a wonderful school for engineering. However, I really want to do figure skating in college and they don’t have a figure skating club/team. Also, my parents don’t want me going there since it’s a much further drive compared to UCSD and UCI and I had sisters who went there (so they’re sick of it.) My mom also thinks that it’s not as “prestigious” since it’s a Cal State school but I think that’s wrong.

I have been invited to apply for an engineering scholarship at UCI ($7500 a year for 3 years). I won’t find out until April 25th. If I do get that should I definitely go there?

I was waitlisted at UCLA and UC Berkeley so if I get offered a spot at either of those schools I’ll take it. (Also, I assume spending $7500 more per year at UCLA or Berkeley is probably worth it?)

Sadly, I need to SIR at a school I’ve been offered admission at first, so which school would be best? Is the Honors program at UCI worth it? Thank you!

It really sounds like you are answering your own questions. Because you are so familiar with the three programs, it should come down to your knowledge and a “gut feeling” where you belong. Do some more research on all three, visit again, and decide–you can’t go wrong with any choice.

So where did you end up choosing?

@HBswimdad I chose UCSD but I just got off the Berkeley waitlist so I’m pretty sure I’m going there now