UCSB vs Cal Poly SLO for physics

State Forums
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<p>I've been driving myself up the metaphorical wall trying to decide which is a better school for me. I'm looking for a school that can have research opportunities for undergraduates, and both UCSB and Cal Poly offer those. </p>

<p>Here's some stuff about UCSB that I know: I've heard about UCSB's excellent physics department and their 4 Nobel Laureates, but I understand that it's their GRADUATE physics program that's ranked 10th in the nation. As far as I know, nothing about undergraduate is mentioned. I've been accepted into the Honors Program in the College of Letters and Sciences (I wonder how beneficial that is??). Also, they've offered quite a bit in grants (mind you, they're need based...but hey, money's money. Right?).</p>

<p>On the other hand, Cal Poly has a reputation of having a more "hands-on" approach than UCSB. I hear that is because UCSB is a research university while Cal Poly's primarily a teaching university. I have been in touch with one of my friends there, he is a physics major as well. After hearing his accounts of his experiences and doing more research, I understand the entire physics department is quite close because it's small. Faculty and students get to know each other and are comfortable around each other. I think that's what their physics department is best known for, their closeness. I haven't received any scholarships or grants, or none that I know of at least. Is there a way to find out if one received anything? Unfortunately the website gives a VERY broad timeline for when that info is released (spring and summer, they say), and I would like to know before the deadline to submit the SIR. </p>

<p>There's something else I feel that I should add. I hear that college is 60% academic and 40% social. That being said, I'm not the MOST outgoing person out there. But I'm not painfully socially awkward! I must admit that I'm a bit worried I may feel out of place at UCSB. I hear much about its party scene? If someone could elaborate on that and address the social pros and cons of the schools, that would be very much appreciated!</p>

<p>Thank you in advance for any type of response :)</p>

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<p>From academic perspective, UCSB physics department is absolutely superior to Cal Poly. Due to the very high caliber physics graduate program UCSB has, overall faculty, resources, facilities, and breadth/depth and quality of research available are light years ahead of Cal Poly. These benefits does trickle down to the undergraduate level as well. </p>

<p>Given physics is pure science and research is mandatory, and most physics undergraduates go on to get their Phd (otherwise they have limited career options), UCSB would be a superior choice from an academic and research standpoint.</p>

<p>Cal Poly, known for its professionally focused orientation, is well suited to professional disciplines such as engineering, architecture, and business. For physics, not so much.</p>

<p>This is not to say Cal Poly physics is all bad, it is simply not on par with UCSB’s. With that said, Cal Poly’s physics department is very small, and the students are very close knit. There is a great sense of community between the students and faculty. And since the dept. is small, the classes are also very small, and students do receive individual attention from the professors. And your physics classmates will probably become some of your closest friends and colleagues while you are at CP.</p>

<p>With regards to social scene, CP is more mellow and really not a big party school. UCSB is probably the opposite. If you are shy, you should have an easier time fitting in at CP, since CP is sort of nerdy in general (big engineering school, big architecture school, etc.). However, I would not use this reason to pass up a great physics education such as UCSB.</p>

<p>I think the academic opportunity offered by UCSB physics is substantive and compelling enough to override social concerns for most serious physics scholars.</p>

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<p>Hi Senioritis2012 - what did you ultimately decide and are you glad?</p>

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<p>UCSB is largely an undergraduate university and 50% of its graduating seniors are involved in original research, as I understand it. They don’t have enough graduate students to do all the work, and the undergraduates have more opportunities. US News counts the lack of graduate students against UCSB, but for an undergraduate’s perspective, I would think that was a very good thing.</p>

<p>However, that is for whomever bumped this, since I expect the OP is long gone.</p>

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<p>Good to know. Thanks</p>