Hi, I’ve been recently admitted to UC Santa Cruz and Cal Poly Slo for marine science. I’m having somewhat of a hard time choosing which school I’d like to attend in the fall. I understand that Poly’s marine program is fairly new but I totally admire their “learn by doing” philosophy and small class sizes. However, for Santa Cruz, they have more of a well know program and is more research focused. I’ve been told that experience in the field your studying will set you up best in preparation for grad school, which is what I’d like to pursue after my undergrad years. And Santa Cruz may be the best for that I suppose. I’m still not completely informed on what is offered for possible internships at both schools. I’m asking for brutally honest guidance on which college may be a better path, and sharing of past experiences. And if you’re not a marine science major and still go to these schools please still drop advice! Thanks a lot in advance, it means a lot!!!
That’s a really hard question. I like Poly a lot. My son went there and had great training. He went for one of the things they are best known for, Mechanical Engineering. I’d call both departments and ask about their grad school placement. My gut though says choose Santa Cruz because of the long track record. This much is absolutely true, either way, you’ll be going to an idyllic location. Congrats and good luck!
@eyemgh Thank you! I will definitely be taking a deeper look into each programs.
This is semi-related but if you applied to UCSB, you should really consider their stellar marine bio program. Decisions come out tomorrow, and if you do get in, I think it’d be a tossup between UCSC and UCSB.
Yet another GREAT location. Sheesh!
@penguin2 yes, UCSBs program is incredible and definitely hope for an acceptance. But if I don’t get in, it will be up to Poly and UCSC
You worked hard, so Congratulations! Potentially 3 great choices.
IMO, SLO would be tough to decline, but your major is a crucial decision factor.
@sushiritto Thank you! Yes, I really am leaning towards SLO. Last summer I was offered a lab assistant position in the bio chem dept and really did enjoy my time there. I want to get in contact with the departments to get more info, because standard of program is somewhat crucial since I plan to attend grad school.
The bottom line is this…your success will be based on what you make of the opportunities in front of you…no matter where you go. Be involved. Get involved in research if you want to go to grad school. Get good grades. Do all that, and the name on your diploma becomes secondary. If Poly speaks to your heart, choose Poly.
My son, a Poly grad, said something illuminating when we visited him after his first term. I asked him if he thought Cal Poly was the perfect choice now that he’d been there a quarter and had a good feel. He said, “I like it here a lot. Honestly though, I think I would have been fine at any school I applied to.”
Don’t agonize about perfect. There is no such place. They all have shortcomings. They’re just usually different. Go with your gut and don’t look back.
Hey, just wondering what your stats were. I applied to both and got waitlisted at SC and haven’t heard back from CP 
. If you want my advice, coming from someone who has done a lot of research, CP has fewer grad students so it’d be easier to pick up research (you also get started into your major right away), but it is way harder to switch majors if you’re not 100% sure about MSCI. For UCSC you have to do your GEs first and you won’t be starting out with research right away, most likely establishing yourself in a lab by doing small jobs. UCSC does have some awesome labs as well as the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. UCSC is also situated in the Monterey bay which is an amazing place to study this. It really depends on what you’re interested in, you should see which schools specifically study that. For me, I love Algal Blooms and SC has the Kudela Lab (they do awesome stuff).
This is just what I’ve gathered over the years of thinking about college 
they are both excellent so, if it comes down to it, flip a coin and you’ll get a great education.
SLO is a lot further from major employment centers which can make corporate internships harder to manage - many students get internships but, they need to move. for the summer. That said, many do.
For me, the smaller campus + learn by doing + SLO 's downtown/surrounds tips the scale to CPSLO but, I am not you.
Honestly, pick the one you like for the reasons you see fit and go. You wont regret it.
Good luck.
@NCalRent No I totally understand. I’ve recently moved to SLO county halfway through my junior year and really do like the area, the central coast is amazing and downtown SLO is super nice. It seems like it might just be a matter of a coin flip… Poly focuses on their undergraduates which really catches my attention, and would probably end up switching my major to bio if I end up going there, because honestly marine bio probably isn’t the best pathway career wise. With reg. Bio I’d have more options and can still participate in marine research of course. Anyway, thanks a lot for the advice, I appreciate it!
@zozosim hi! Yes, my SAT was a 1330 and GPA was a 4.0… I’ve also been doing an ample amount of research because I really just want to commit! But trying not to rush. I know it’s not that big of a deal since both are great schools, but I’d like to set myself within the best path as possible. Thanks!
wrong post!
@eyemgh I totally agree! Wherever I go I’d like to participate in as much research as possible, preferably marine related since that is what I’m most interested in. I’ve heard literally nothing but good things from Poly, as they do take really good care of their undergraduates. I’m just totally indecisive and might just have to go with my gut (poly), but the marine research going on at UCSC may be the better option given my major. But im trying to contact the marine department at SLO to see the research related opportunities they offer, since I’m not too familiar with the program. I understand I’d be ultimately just fine at both schools but would like to put my self in the best pathway as possible. Also, I’m just indecisive and am completely grateful I even got into these two great schools! Thanks for the advice, it is greatly appreciated.
Probably both are excellent choices. Location though, CalPoly is not that far from the ocean, but SC is on the ocean, and for upper div, courses will primarily be on the small and gorgeous coastal campus really at the ocean (downside of coastal: no food available there currently and very slow buses route there)
Daughter graduating in Ecology/ Biology has volunteered/ interned at UCSC’s Seymour Marine Center, had the opportunity (but not the time) to volunteer/intern with the Pinniped Project. She had to persist very hard for research opportunities and many that seemed to be set fell through. She worked unrelated jobs throughout for money. I don’t think she has any regrets but is graduating with good grades and no employment prospects.
CalPoly I think would be more certain paid work/ intern/ research opportunities & clear job opportunities after a BS, while there are many volunteer internship opportunities at UCSC.
Her sibling is probably going to choose CalPoly in an unrelated major, but still considering Davis & SC for fall.
@Mzlemon Thank you for the comment!! Do you think your daughter had some difficulties with finding internships because of her major not being marine bio? Does UCSC perhaps give marine bio majors priority? Idk but I’m sort of leaning towards cal poly, possibly switching into biology or bio chem, as I’m starting to think marine bio might not be the best career choice? I need to look at any marine related internships/research at poly, but overall I’ve heard a lot of people say cal poly might be the better option. But the marine station and overall research at UCSC seems better, but also drawn by SLO’s philosophy of learn by doing and the area I think is better. This is really difficult choosing one!