<p>I honestly can't decide after visiting these two campuses, I thought they were both perfect and I can't distinguish between the two.
Which would you prefer?</p>
<p>If it matters, I'd probably major in physiology or biopsychology at UCSB and kinesiology at Cal Poly SLO.</p>
<p>Some people are going to write in and tell you “UC because its a research school” but I’m not so sure thats a convincing answer. You should look into whether you can get involved in research, but I suspect the answer will be yes at both schools. Personally I think the environment is somewhat different at both, but if you’ve been there and see no difference then what matters is what you think.</p>
<p>Really its a coin-toss if you see them both as indistinguishable. But there is a way to see if that’s really true. First, wait until you’ve gotten accepted from both. Then one evening flip a coin to pick one, fill out the paperwork to accept, sign it, stamp it, seal it. Then put it in a drawer. If you wake up in the morning still happy that decision is made then mail the envelope. If you wake up and have thoughts of “Oh my gosh! What did I just do?” then you know to switch.</p>
<p>Well check out the financial aid for both first then. If they are the same to you go to the one that will cost you less.</p>
<p>If you like them equally, go to SB. It carries more weight around the country, few have heard of Cal Poly outside of CA, whereas a UC school will get you solid respect.</p>
<p>Both very good schools but Santa Barbara is the most beautiful city in the world. If all other factors are nearly tied, Santa Barbara over San Luis Obispo any day.</p>
<p>Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve heard that it’s sometimes difficult to change majors, even early on, at Cal Poly. Fact or fiction??</p>
<p>What is your goal with the major? If hands-on (kinesiology) is more to your liking, perhaps SLO is a better route for you. But beware of Cal Poly’s 4-year grad rate, which is 26%. Thus, plan on spending 5 years to graduate. (A great deal if the parents are paying.) In contrast, UCSB has a four-year grad rate of 64%.</p>
<p>Kinesiology is the major that interests me the most, which is why I considered Cal Poly.</p>
<p>But UCSB doesn’t offer it.
I was considering physiolgy… Or biopsychology. Would either of these be acceptable? Which would be a better major as for graduate programs/med school/ etc.? Anyone have any opinions on that?</p>
<p>Major doesn’t matter for Med school, you can major in anything, even a non-science, as long as you have completed the prerequisite courses.</p>
<p>You’re right about changing majors at Poly Entomom, not that it’s easy at UCs. But Poly has some language in their handbook I’ve never seen anywhere else. For example, it says you can never switch to being a business major if you didn’t have the stats required for it when you entered. So even if you have a 4.0 there, you’ll never be a business major!</p>
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<p>I slightly disagree. Professional schools tend not to be fond of ‘vocational’ majors, of which kinesiolgy tends to be viewed. (That is why it is offered at the Cal State level and not the UC level, with the exception of Davis. Kinesiology also tends to be a popular major for athletes.) Thus, I would suggest that any traditional arts major does not matter. </p>
<p>btw: premed is a much riskier plan from a Cal State, at least based on the numbers. The UC med schools are full of UC grads, but few Cal Staters, and fewer still if you look at those unhooked med matriculants. Add in the fact that three of the UC med schools are nationally-ranked (top 15), the instate competition is brutal.</p>
<p>^^Thanks for making that distinction bb, I totally agree that any kind of vocational major is not a good idea if the goal is med school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input Waverly, I had heard that second hand and wasn’t sure how much truth it held.</p>
<p>Cal Poly is a POLYTECHNIC. For math related sciences. Cal Poly will give you a great reputation as an engineering major, or other math-related majors. The low 4 year grad rate is because of engineering majors and their difficulty. If you are going to med school, pick most UC’s over Cal poly. UCSB, along with all the other UC’s, is a great school that is only becoming more and more respected.</p>
<p>No doubt that SLO has a rigorous engineering program and architecture. And they comprises ~30% of the undergrads. CP also has a significant animal science program and undergrad biz, neither of which “need” five years for graduation. Undergrad biz, animal science and prevet should be a 4-year deal.</p>
<p>Note: all Cal States have low 4-year grad rates, even those without large engineering programs.</p>