UCLA vs. UC-San Diego vs. Cal Poly at SLO

College Search & Selection
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<p>I have recently been accepted into the three universities listed in the title of this thread and am in want of more information. I took tours at all three colleges over the last weekend and really loved all three 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, my first choice major, but at UCSD I got accepted as an "Undecided" major due to ME being impacted. 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>I live in Texas, and absolutely love California. If any UT-Austin students drop in here, they can also feel free to argue me towards that option too. I was accepted into the Physics program there!</p>

<p>Thanks so much!
Brandon.</p>

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<p>From my understanding, Cal states, and probably cal poly will be the more hands on, with the UCs being more based on theory. There are some threads on CC that often state how employers usually prefer the practicality of those who attend cal poly for engineering.
additionally, if you’re out of state, and are paying out of state fee’s, i’d opt for cal poly. It’s not worth the extra money for the ucs, if you’re dead set on attending one of their publics. Cal poly will give you the preparation to enter a career in engineering.</p>

3

<p>Okay, thanks! I really like the idea of a hands on community that will really get me into the academics that I’ll be studying alongside. As for fees, the cost isn’t particularly troublesome to our family, I’m more concerned with finding the best education that I can in an environment that I can truly enjoy! So, do you know anything about the campus life at any of the schools?</p>