Which one is better? I like SLO because it’s cheaper and I know I will only have 60 units to finish. But I don’t think I will like the lack of diversity there. Even if I don’t like the culture at SLO, I will only be there for about a year if all my classes go according to plan.
Have you been admitted? Both are very difficult to transfer into.
@NCalRent I was admitted to both as a transfer for business.
Congrats, Wasn’t your SIR due by May 1?
Anyhow, to answer your question they are both outstanding. If you feel significantly more comfortable at UCI and can afford the UC premium, that’s where I’d guide you to attend. In my experience, you will perform best at a school that feels like home. Clubs, on and off campus activities will be a better fit and you will relate better with the person siting next to you in class, That said, CP SLO has never struck me as lacking diversity. Of course, my impressions don’t matter, yours do.
Follow your gut and enjoy the heck out of the one you choose.
Good luck.
@NCalRent Thanks, your advice has definitely given me something to think about. I accepted my SIR for Cal Poly already, but after going up there and seeing lack of diversity and then coming across a few articles about Poly lacking diversity, minorities feeling uncomfortable, and seeing the demographics of the school, I immediately wish I had done that before accepting. From what I’ve read, I just need to email admissions and let them know I withdraw my SIR then I should be good.
UCI isn’t really much better for diversity. It is a bit more diverse than SLO. I’m aware UCI is 46% asian. Being that I’m Asian myself I guess I would be more comfortable there. But I don’t know if that outweighs the pros of going to SLO and the chance that I might like SLO.
If I was basing this off cost and units I need to graduate, I would pick Poly. If I was basing if off everything else I would pick Irvine. I feel like any way I go I will be rolling the dice here because both have pros and cons and they are all important to me.
My gut tells me Irvine because I live in the OC right now and I really like it. But then another part of me thinks what if I would have liked it at SLO and I just spent $12,000 extra and took a bunch more units.
As for how much I can afford, my parents are helping me pay for tuition but I want to pay as much as I can so going to UCI I would need more aid my from my parents which I don’t want.
@Supertferd I’m an Asian Senior at CPSLO so I might be a bit biased, but I’ve never had issues relating to being accepted because of my race. People here are awesome and I’ve definitely found gotten the full college experience at a discount.
I’m also originally from an area with a heavy Asian population so do note that Ethnic Food here sucks.
For business, especially finance, I can really speak for its strength here. Silicon Valley recruits heavily for both engineers and finance here due to some high profile alumni, like the CFO of Apple.
Me too! I am in the same dilemma!
I’m applying to both UCI and Cal Poly SLO for business, and I think I have a good chance getting into both because I have a high GPA. Berkeley Haas is my first choice but they are extremely competitive and I’m definitely not counting on getting in (but I do have a chance and would be pleasantly surprised if I did). I think I would lean towards Cal Poly. They have a longer established business school, are in a really fun college town in my opinion, beautiful women, and maybe I’m a little biased because I’m from Northern California, but I definitely want my business connections to come through Silicon Valley/Bay area rather than LA. But thats just me! The slightly lower cost is a bonus too.
Unless you really hate CPSLO, I see no compelling benefit for you to jump ship to UCI.
I think UCI is probably a more theoretical and academic program, being in the University of California System. It will be better preparation for graduate school. Cal Poly is more hands-on and designed to prepare you for a job. It’s just the emphasis though. Both schools school could prepare you for either path. There will be more research opportunities at UC Irvine.
If you want to graduate cost effectively and want a job, I would go with Cal Poly.
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