UCI vs Cal Poly SLO vs UCB (MechE)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
1

Hey guys,

I’m currently between these three schools:
UC Irvine, Cal Poly SLO, and UC Berkeley.
I was accepted to Mechanical Engineering for UCI and Cal Poly, but Engineering Undeclared for Berkeley. Wish I was accepted to UCLA but can’t spell the school without an L haha.
I am still deciding on whether or not (but I will most likely) I will be attending grad school; if so, I will be looking at schools with strong programs in automotive engineering. I’m looking at Texas A&M or other out of states, partly because I regret not applying out of states to schools like Georgia Tech.

Little Background:

  • Pretty outgoing and social
  • I really, really, really want to work for Subaru one day (if this even matters lol)
  • Came from a private high school with only about 1000 students total
  • Enjoy knowing a lot of people. I’m kind of a nomad, going from group to group every now and then to keep in touch.
  • Love the outdoors and exploring
  • Passions include photography, making youtube videos, and cars (basically UCI huh?)
  • Don’t plan to rush, but anything can happen so I’m still open to the idea
  • Parties aren’t a big deal to me. I’d rather just hangout and have a chill Friday night with friends.

I have yet to visit Cal Poly SLO, but am visiting this weekend for Open House, and have been following SLO for the past couple weeks. I have absolutely fallen in love with everything about this school. As of now, I feel about 90% ready to commit here, but I still have to visit. As a photographer, SLO’s surrounding area just absolutely captivates me, and would definitely help improve my game. Graduating within 4 years here isn’t common, but I don’t have an issue with this, especially if I’m trying to enjoy my college experience too. I won’t be able to bring my car here so that means less frequent visits home, but SLO does have an airport so that helps a bunch.

I have already visited UC Irvine, and have no issues with the campus or anything with it to be honest. Fitting in here would not be too much of a challenge. I dig the car community, safe environment, dancers, culture, etc. Plus it’s right by Disneyland so… that’s a huge plus. I could easily bring my car and drive home whenever I wished because it’s relatively close.

I toured and stayed in the dorms (was with a current student) at UC Berkeley last April of 2016, and couldn’t stand the environment. Personally, I don’t fit in here and would have a very, very difficult time ever becoming comfortable. From what I’ve heard of current students, a lot had to learn to love Berkeley. There are plenty of other reasons as to why I’m iffy, but I would go on forever if I listed everything. Very far, semester system, etc. However, I never expected to be accepted, but I see this as a matter of potentially swallowing my pride because after all, Berkeley and Engineering? Can’t exactly overlook it.

Other Factors:

  • Interested in minoring in business / entrepreneurship. Wouldn’t hurt to study a little business if I want to open my own in the future right?
  • Plan to join the FSAE (Formula Society of American Engineers I think, basically the racing team)
  • Money is definitely an issue to consider, but after everything, they’re all within the same range.

Other Schools Accepted To:

  • CPP, CSULB
  • UCSD, UCD, UCSC

What are your thoughts? Should I go to Berkeley for the reputation? (I know this sounds bad) Or would you recommend something else? How much would going to a certain undergrad affect my plans for the future?

Anything helps! Thanks!

2

Wish I could answer you, but I am in the same boat as you. Never expected to be accepted to Berkeley, but here I am. Now choosing between Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Berkeley or Computer Engineering at SLO.

3

The undergraduate experience will be very different between UCB and Cal Poly. I once heard a student refer to Berkley like “going to school at the DMV.” The classes are HUGE, with lots of TAs. In fact, intro to CS is the biggest class in the nation, with over 1000 students.

For ME, I think Poly is the wise choice. The facilities for undergrads and the curricula really set up students to be fully productive engineers the moment the start a job.

For CS, the choice would be harder. CS is not a lab intensive major. Most of the work is at a keyboard.

For both of you, I’d visit both school while students are there. Talk to them. Tour the facilities. Review the curriculum maps. Then your gut will guide you.

Congrats! Great problem to have.

P.S. Lots of students turn down UCB for Cal Poly. You wouldn’t be the first.

4

@kxngtran, the Cal Poly SAE chapter has three teams: Formula Gas, Formula Electric, and Baja

My son is a freshman ME and is on Baja and it has been amazing for him. I don’t know what the opportunities are like at UCB and UCI, but at Cal Poly, anyone who is interested can be a contributing part of the team. I’ve heard that at a number of colleges, only seniors really get to do anything. Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy isn’t just empty words, they really mean it.

5

I will add, if you want to do SAE at Cal Poly, you’ll get to be more involved in Baja or Electric that Formula Gas. There are too many who want to be involved in Formula Gas, so upperclassmen typically do most of the work. Another consideration is hyper mile. Good luck.

6

@kxngtran I am a senior ME student at Cal Poly. I would say my personality is actually quite similar to your. I enjoy photography and love outdoor Subaru type cars. I also work on a racing-type club and it has done wonders for me long term, similair to @berkeleymom4 's son. I have no regrets attending Cal Poly and have enjoyed every moment of it. Feel free to message me if you have more questions.

I would not recommend Berkeley if you did not enjoy the environment. The name on paper is not enough in engineering to get you the job. Pick the environment that you will best thrive in.

7

What matters most to you - Lifestyle or “name school”? I think there’s arguments for both schools and you’re fortunate to have such a tough decision to make. Cal seems like a suffocating pressure cooker and SLO seems “fresh”. I could be wrong, but try to objectively think about how and where you want to spend the next chunk of your life.

8

Since school has already started, I’m guessing that continuing the discussion is probably moot.