<p>UCSC is nearer to our bay area home, but SLO is better academic/practical teaching. Which to choose? Is there an OsakaDad for UCSC?
Got both acceptance to EE major.</p>
<p>SLO is a larger school, and is a lot more sports focused than UCSC. I don’t think the dorms were as nice either, but that may have changed since I toured 4 years ago.</p>
<p>The main benefit of attending UCSC is that the school is close enough to garner a lot of attention from Silicon Valley companies. So much attention that we have a separate career fair for engineering disciplines. I don’t know a whole lot about the quality of the EE major, but I know it’s considered to be difficult as hell and mostly hands-on learning. It’s a rare day when I don’t see EE students packed into their lab, still working hard at 2am. </p>
<p>I know that’s all a bit vague, but that’s my limited knowledge. If you’d like to learn more, you should soon get an invite to attend Engineering Day in about a month. I’d highly recommend going. You get to tour some of the labs and have Q&A time with faculty, as well as getting to see a bunch of student projects.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to the EE major specifically, but I have a daughter that chose to attend UCSC over CPSLO, and doesn’t regret her choice in the least. She says all of her professors have been passionate about their subject areas. She has found that her professors, teaching assistants, and academic advisors have all been accessible and attentive. For the most part she has been able to get the classes she has wanted.</p>
<p>Some parents try to steer their kids to the university with the most prestige or the highest ranking. My husband and I felt our daughter would best succeed in the environment of her choosing, and really encouraged her to take ownership of her choice. She chose UCSC over CPSLO, UCSB and UC Davis among others. She fully explored her options and spent time on all of those campuses before even applying, and she made a fully informed decision.</p>
<p>My recommendation to you is to make sure your son makes a fully informed decision. Take advantage of campus visits and opportunities to get specific questions answered regarding the EE programs and curriculum at both schools. There is definitely a different vibe at each campus. One is likely to appeal to your son more than the other. It might be program-specific, or it might have to do with the overall atmosphere. As a parent you can pose questions for him to think about while making his choice, but don’t be dismissive of his gut feeling if he has one.</p>
<p>Santa Cruz is a UC and has proximity to Silicon Valley, but that won’t mean much if your son would be miserable there. CPSLO might be the crown jewel of the cal state system, but if the environment doesn’t appeal to your child, will he be successful there? I don’t believe one program is so vastly superior to the other that your son could go wrong either way. Don’t be consumed with trying to figure out what is the “best” school based on external criteria, but what is the best school for your son.</p>
<p>What is your daughter majoring in 1sbmomof3?
Thanks</p>
<p>1sbmomof3-I could not agree with you more. You said it perfectly. My husband and I have been at odds on this subject for over a year, and will be facing off again in another year. </p>
<p>My oldest chose UCSB over Cal, Davis, UCSC, Santa Clara, etc., and doesn’t regret a minute of it. My second may choose UCSC if admitted next year. My husband says you go to the highest ranking school that takes you and that you will adjust socially. I think that fit is the most important aspect but the hardest to really be able to make an informed decision on unless you have spent some time socially with others who attend. </p>
<p>My #2 would be miserable at UCSB but it fits my first child perfectly. My #1 chose UCSB which has turned out to be nothing like she thought it would be, but still has turned out to work for her-luckily. I’m thankful that she is happy there, but also nervous about finding the right school for #2.</p>
<p>elgozz: my daughter entered UCSC as undeclared in the life and health sciences advising cluster and she has chosen to major in Biology and wants to pursue the STEM Education minor.</p>