UCSB vs Cal Poly SLO?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, my son and I are visiting CalPoly SLO this weekend and it's getting to be crunch time for our decision. Down to UCSB, CalPoly or Richmond (which I really liked, but is probably in third right now.) We've already seen UCSB a few times and he LOVES it there. </p>

<p>We're out of state, and so Cal Poly would be about $80-$100k cheaper for us. While we can swing UCSB financially without loans, $100k is obviously significant. Also, Cal Poly has his exact major (Environmental Engineering) vs UCSB (didn't get in to Engineering despite 33 ACT and 5.0+ GPA and so would do Environmental Studies.) CalPoly seems to have the advantage of a better chance for a job post graduation and is highly regarded as an Engineering School. On paper, it seems like CP is the right choice. My concerns, though, with Cal Poly (from what I've read on various forums) are below. Wonder if anyone could comment?</p>

<ol>
<li>Not clear if there's a good social life/party scene for kids under 21. I don't want him to be overwhelmed with the party scene, but I would like for at least access to a good college social life. Seems like going greek may help with it...any thoughts as to how easy or hard to get in to a frat at CP? Or, whether that's a good way to go.</li>
<li>Seems like a lot of psuedo cowboy types. My son would fit more in the surfer chill vibe. I have no worries on how he'd fit in at UCSB. Not at all into country music, agricultural, cowboy stuff. How prevalant is that culture/mentality/personality at CP?</li>
<li>Seems a little right wing politically, if not actively so. He's not going to be active politically, but don't want a somewhat more liberal viewpoint to be out of place.</li>
<li>The dorms, the food and the overall look of the campus seem worse overall than UCSB.</li>
<li>For a Chicagoan, the weather and beach access at CP are great, but not exactly like seeing the ocean from your dorm room like SB.</li>
</ol>

<p>Mostly concerned with him finding his niche of friends and his social life so that he not only benefits from CP's great academic offering but really loves his four years. Any thoughts? Thank you!!!</p>

2

<p>If the primary interest is environmental engineering, Cal Poly SLO is the correct academic fit, since it has ABET accreditation in environmental engineering and civil engineering (environmental engineering is a subarea of civil engineering at some schools). UCSB has neither. Civil and environmental engineering is the field where Professional Engineer licensing is most important, and an ABET accredited degree is important for such licensing.</p>

<ol>
<li> Cal Poly SLO is one of the more residential CSUs (many of the others have a heavily commuter student population, as part of their role is to provide accessible four year education). It does not have a “super party school” reputation, although, like almost any residential school, there are students who party.</li>
</ol>

<p>2, 5. Cal Poly SLO is not that far from a beach, although it is not on the beach like UCSB is. It does have agriculture and natural resource majors, so that may be where you are getting the “cowboy” vibe. But students from all over California do attend for engineering.</p>

<ol>
<li> Cal Poly SLO is heavily populated with students in pre-professional majors, who are likely to be less politically active (whether left or right wing) than other students.</li>
</ol>

3

<p>Here are some comments. ucbalumnus is one of the most qualified and objective posters on this forum. Anything he/she says is correct so I will not venture there. Cal Poly is extraordinary for engineering and very, very good in your son’s major. My comments are in the brackets.</p>

<ol>
<li>Not clear if there’s a good social life/party scene for kids under 21. I don’t want him to be overwhelmed with the party scene, but I would like for at least access to a good college social life. Seems like going greek may help with it…any thoughts as to how easy or hard to get in to a frat at CP? Or, whether that’s a good way to go.</li>
</ol>

<p>(My son does not smoke or drink. There are literally hundreds of clubs and activities on campus. This includes frats. Do not worry about finding them - they will find him. Frats and clubs will be out in full force for the Open House this weekend. Plus there is the wonderful town of SLO for fun. It is very easy to fit in at SLO and your kid will be thrown into friendships the very first week during the Week of Welcome (WOW Week). If he is in a dorm, even better. My kid is very introverted and already has tons of friends. He hikes and climbs, joins other kids in to photography, belongs to an engineering club that just took 3rd place in a national competition. Basically, as a freshman he is fully engaged and has no more room for anything. He is never lonely or bored. If anything he is tired from all the activity.)</p>

<ol>
<li>Seems like a lot of psuedo cowboy types. My son would fit more in the surfer chill vibe. I have no worries on how he’d fit in at UCSB. Not at all into country music, agricultural, cowboy stuff. How prevalant is that culture/mentality/personality at CP?</li>
</ol>

<p>(No worries. Cal Poly is also an Agriculture school and the presence is there. But there is a big surfer culture too. Cal Poly was rated one of the top surfer universities in America. Cal Poly is ranked the #3 surfer school in the country. See here: [Cal</a> Poly Ranked as No. 3 ‘Surf School’ in the Nation](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2009/March/surf.html]Cal”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2009/March/surf.html))</p>

<ol>
<li>Seems a little right wing politically, if not actively so. He’s not going to be active politically, but don’t want a somewhat more liberal viewpoint to be out of place.</li>
</ol>

<p>(Cal Poly is not conservative or liberal. In fact, it is very, very neutral. My kid is liberal leaning and fits in just fine.)</p>

<ol>
<li>The dorms, the food and the overall look of the campus seem worse overall than UCSB.</li>
</ol>

<p>(The dorms are very nice especially the apartments. Just go on a tour this weekend. The food is fine. Test it out yourself this weekend as all the restaurants will be open. Is it gourmet? No, but it gets the job done just fine.)</p>

<ol>
<li>For a Chicagoan, the weather and beach access at CP are great, but not exactly like seeing the ocean from your dorm room like SB.</li>
</ol>

<p>(Cal Poly is an excellent balance. Want the beach? Hop on a bus or load up in a friend’s car and your are there in 15 min. Want a hike? Get on your bike and ride over – there are hiking trails right on campus and across the street at Bishop’s Peak.)</p>

<p>Mostly concerned with him finding his niche of friends and his social life so that he not only benefits from CP’s great academic offering but really loves his four years. Any thoughts? Thank you!!!</p>

<p>(Your kid will love the place – guaranteed.)</p>

4

<p>Another tip about Cal Poly surfer culture. Inside the student union is a surf shop where your kid can actually craft and shape his very own personal surfboard. I believe that Cal Poly is the only university with a surfboard manufacturing shop on campus and available to interested students. This is the “learn by doing, hands on” culture taken to the extreme. Check out Poly Escapes across the hall where they organize and equip students for white water rafting, rock climbing, off road biking, and extended hiking trips, etc.</p>

5

<p>Cal Poly - there is no way on Earth UCSB (as much as i love it) is worth 100K more.</p>

6

<p>My son has made skateboards in the craft center, and on this Friday will leave on a Polyscapes backpacking trip to the Sequoias. We are from the San Diego area and he brought he surf board to school, as did many of his friends (some of whom are in the engineering school). CalPoly has a day off for Caesar Chavez day at the end of March, and tons of students attended an annual giant beach party at Avila Beach. There are some photos posted on the CP Parents Facebook page. As for your concern about the food, my son does not like the food at Cal Poly and reports his friends at the UC schools have it much better. I know he’s eaten at the UCLA campus, but not so sure if he’s done so at UCSB. Your son has a difficult choice, but I think he would find a place at CalPoly if he decides to go there.</p>

7

<p>My oldest is graduating from Cal Poly this year (and in 4 years, too!), and I don’t recall him ever complaining about these issues. Cal Poly is a very popular college choice for students from our large, suburban SoCal high school to attend (as is UCSB). I don’t think I would classify any of his friends or classmates as psuedo cowboys or right wing, and many do surf. </p>

<pre><code>My son did not join a fraternity at Cal Poly, and has found his own social life – intramural soccer, softball, beer pong league (he’s 21 now so he can tell me about these things).
</code></pre>

<p>As for the food, his only complaint first year was that it was expensive. Most students are only on the food plan for their first year anyway, so I don’t think this should be too big a factor either way. If your son ends up going to Cal Poly, have him choose the meal plan with the least number of meals and the most flex dollars.</p>

<p>Good luck with the decision!</p>

8

<p>if that $100k does not matter that much, there are certainly families who it would matter to…really though, Cal Poly offers a better fit for a more affordable price - hmmm - great options present but only one clear choice…
good luck to your son and enjoy!</p>