<p>I have recently been accepted into the two universities listed in the title of this thread and am in want of more information. I took tours at both colleges over the last weekend and really loved both of them. Now, I would like to know what current students there think of each of them! I was accepted into UCLA and Cal Poly for Mechanical Engineering, and I would love to hear about people involved in the ME programs at each college, though anyone is free to respond (And please do!). </p>
<p>Some things I would like to know:
What do you think about the environment on campus? Does it feel like home?
How are the people there? Usually pretty friendly and likable?
Do the professors teach their classes well in general? Or are they run by grad students oftentimes?
How hands-on are the programs? Do they tend to get the students involved and integrated into the program?
How is the local environment? Pretty hectic and frustrating? Or laid back and easy?
What kind of things are there to do in your free time?
How is the course-load? Deterring and difficult? Or challenging but manageable?
What other colleges were you accepted into and why did you choose the college you’re in now over the others?
Any additional information about the colleges that you think would sway my opinion in favor or away from each.</p>
<p>Reputation wise, you can’t go wrong with either school. However, I think UCLA is less hands on than Cal Poly. I gradutated from UCLA eons ago. Granted, I was an Econ major, but it was all very theoretical. Additionally, my family just spent 3 days in SLO, touring the campus, talking to students, dining in Pismo Beach, going to Farmer’s Market, etc., and we are sold. I think it is the perfect place to study engineering. The longer we were there, the more my son liked it. I think it is the perfect fit for him. You really should take a day or two off of school and spend some time on both campuses, and in particular, the engineering departments. At Cal Poly, you start with hands on your first semester. By the time you graduate, you will be very marketable, which is no small matter in this economy. Do your research–talk to employers in the industry. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>And Crunch–If your son can handle the intensity of Cal, he will have that badge of honor and his degree his entire life. It is really intense though. Of all of the schools mentioned, the only one I would consider over Cal Poly is Cal. It would not be the right place for my son. Granted, he was not accepted there, but if he were, I honestly don’t think he would go there. And, I think when it is all said and done, my son will have a job right along side with Cal alumni. I can’t speak to USC engineering. But I would much prefer SLO vs that part of LA. I’m not sure, but I think SLO engineering graduates might be more heavily recruited. But that USC alumni network and national reputation is hard to beat!</p>
<p>Awesome response CalMom5! My son and your sound very much alike. He would not really like the intensity of Cal and he didn’t think any of the other schools were the right match for him. We have been to Cal Poly several times now and we really like it. He is super excited about Open House and then moving in and getting started! The students all seem so warm and friendly and the town is a lot like where we live. he will be very comfortable there and be able to focus on learning. Engineering is tough no matter where you go. It is important to like the school you go to. Cal Poly knows how to teach students and help them become quality engineers. Employers knows this and that is why they are well liked in industry. The other schools sound excellent too and especially if you want to continue on to grad school. It all depends on where you want to be for the next 4-6 years.</p>
<p>So then, what if I am considering graduate school? It’s in my interests to pursue my doctorate. I think that I’ve come down to the decision that I would want to attend Cal Poly for undergraduate means, but the real deciding factor is if it will fully prepare me for my doctoral pursuits. SLO is such a fantastic place and the environment truly calls to me, but I need to be prepared for graduate school. Do you have any opinions about this?</p>
<p>Also, I plan on trying to get into the Honors program if I attend Cal Poly. I truly think this will make up for any “deficit” that might form between what I’ll learn there and at UCLA in ME theory as well as give me additional hands-on work. Do you all know anything about the Honors program?</p>
<p>moms (Cal and MV) Thanks for all the great feedback. S is still in the decision making process and will be visitng all 4 (Cal, Cal Poly, USC and UCLA) schools again at the end of the month–coming down to the wire but I guess it is fortunate to have the choices he has.<br>
Although S was born born in San Diego and spent more than half his life in CA, we are currently living in NY and one problem with Cal Poly is how much more difficult (or at least expensive) it is to get to SLO when compared to the Bay Area or LA. Again thanks!!!</p>
<p>SJ if you look at the info as to graduate schools attended by recent engineering graduates I have to say that overall the list is less than impressive and that is defintely a consideration for my S</p>
<p>Cal Poly does have some 4+1 programs in engineering. I am sure that if a student does well at Cal Poly and decides to continue on to grad school, they would be able to attend a good school. I do think that more students decide to work instead and perhaps pursue grad school later. that wouldn’t show in the statistics. if you are definitely planning on getting a doctorate, then a UC may be a better choice for you. The problem is that you have to get through an undergraduate program first. For my son, the program at CP sounds very supportive and more interesting than at the UCs he was accepted into. Cal Poly seems to do a great job! He is actually a very academic/theoretical type learner. The “hands-on” part may be a challenge for him, but he really wants to be able to do both. If he wants to continue on to a grad program, i am sure he will be able to.</p>
<p>the Honors Program looks like a good idea for you. It will add some challenge and extra responsibilites and it will have a few perks too. Be sure to find the Honors page on the CP site. My son was selected to apply for a special scholarship that includes mentoring by people in the industry and he will have to report on his prgress. if he gets this scholarship, he may not do the Honors program. He will have enough to do beyond his classes and the clubs that are encouraged in engineering.</p>
<p>Anyway, UCLA is an awesome school and if you like the larger campus and the city of LA, I think you would do very well to go there. Cal Poly is much smaller and a slower pace community. You need to think about which environment is best for you. </p>
<p>Crunch^ That is so awesome that you will be visiting each campus to help you decide. That is really the best way along with looking at CC and the school’s websites. Good luck!</p>
<p>Crunch-When we toured Cal Poly, my son heard about the Cal Poly 4 plus 1 Masers program. He was very interested in that. Also, I recently found the following online about a USC Masters program open to Cal Poly students at the following web site:</p>
<p>CalMom05-MOM -thanks for the link to Viterbi’s MS program for Cal Poly grads–just printed it out and left it for S to review… interesting as is the SLO 4/1 program</p>
<p>Crunch-You should also look at the power point from the web site. It explains that the tuition for the program for all the required units is just under $28000. Not too bad for a Masters from USC!</p>
<p>If you are interested in a doctorate, I agree with what others have said. Start directly at a more research-oriented university or maybe start at Cal Poly for your bachelors before moving elsewhere for your masters & doctorate. I recommend you call Cal Poly and ask your prospective department questions about this. Im sure they will be honest and give you more food for thought.</p>
<p>When we visited different universities, we asked the same questions and even gave names of their competition. Each university was very professional about their responses.</p>
<p>When comparing any university, one thing you might check is the first years coursework. When visiting various universities, we got as much info as possible about their courses from the department. If we didnt understand, we asked more questions until we understood. As an example for computer science, we visited Cal and learned the very first programming class was at a very high level and had a steep learning curve. We didnt know one programming language from another, but kept asking questions until we had an idea. On the other hand at the Cal Poly visit, they said they would teach programming the Cal Poly way, regardless of the students level of programming. Thats what made CP my sons choice. Looking back, if he had taken Cals first programming class the very first quarter of his freshman year, he would have flunked that course and probably switched majors. Instead he learned the CP way. It turned out to be a good, hard, solid first year experience in basic programming.</p>
<p>My son chose UCLA over Cal and all the other UC’s and Cal Poly. We live in SLO and he wanted to go away to school. He started in ME and switched to BioEng. He always knew he wanted to go to graduate school and in fact will be starting a PHD program in BME at UC Davis in the fall (fully funded!). He didn’t like the feel of Cal and felt more comfortable at UCLA. It worked for him. He started in research in his freshman year and has had no problem graduating in 4 years. Cal probably is more intense but UCLA is no cake walk! I think the average GPA in the engineering school is around a 2.8…and it’s not because these kids are not smart! There is a lot of competition from serious pre med students. One thing I’ve read on other forums is that it is hard to change majors out of engineering at Cal if you don’t have a decent GPA. Not the case at UCLA.
If you want to work right out of school then I think Cal Poly is the best choice.<br>
Good luck with your decision…some nice choices there!</p>
<p>Well Cal Poly is kinda in the middle of no where. I live out of state and I have to take two planes to get here. It’s a drag. Also, I grew up near a big city, but I thought the small town atmosphere of Cal Poly would be nice. But after just one year I can’t stand it. There is nothing to do. Sure, it’s fun to do stuff with friends, but it feels like we just do the same thing over and over. If you don’t mind living in a small town, and are really aware of what it’s like, the Cal Poly is a great school, comparable to UCLA especially in engineering. But if you’re like me, you’re probably better off in a big city. I’m planning on transferring out of here after another year, possibly even to UCLA.</p>
<p>Have you ever taken Amtrak to LA for a long weekend? I think that would be fun going to Union Station and then spending some time in Hollywood at Hollywood and Highland Center and on the Blvd. Or maybe take the bus or train to San Francisco for another long weekend? That’s they way I like to enjoy the city–in small increments. Then back to the SLO-er pace of Cal Poly and the smaller town atmsophere. I would also find going to school in a large city too distracting. I also don’t feel San Luis Obispo is like being ‘stuck out in the middle of nowhere’ like you would be in Kansas or other midwest town. At least you have the ocean and hills—vs a flat cornfield.</p>
<p>NTKS17 wrote:</p>
<p>**Well Cal Poly is kinda in the middle of no where. I live out of state and I have to take two planes to get here. It’s a drag. Also, I grew up near a big city, but I thought the small town atmosphere of Cal Poly would be nice. But after just one year I can’t stand it. There is nothing to do. Sure, it’s fun to do stuff with friends, but it feels like we just do the same thing over and over. If you don’t mind living in a small town, and are really aware of what it’s like, the Cal Poly is a great school, comparable to UCLA especially in engineering. But if you’re like me, you’re probably better off in a big city. I’m planning on transferring out of here after another year, possibly even to UCLA. **</p>
<p>Hi, I am wondering if anyone can comment on how often students go on for a PhD in mechanical engineering from any school, and if they do, what are the ranges of career goals for those student? I ask because my son is attending Open House (at Cal Poly) as an admitted student in ME. He thinks he will probably want to work after graduation, and not go for more degrees, or maybe only a master’s. His main source of advice on this is my sister, who is a mechanical engineer. She was a BME major (at a different, well known school) 25 years ago, when it was relatively new, but decided she didn’t want to work in that industry, which was then more limited. She ended up getting a master’s degree in ME, and much later an MBA. However, she specifically chose not to get a PhD, as she did not want to go into academics - the main reason to get a PhD in ME, she says. What do people think - is this still true? In any case, I cannot imagine my son wanting to go into academics. He just wants to make money and tinker around with stuff!</p>