<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I got accepted into both UCSD and Cal Poly (slo) for Computer Science. I can't make up my mind on where I should go though. </p>
<p>I'm anticipating that some of you will want to know whether or not I want to pursue a masters degree: as of now, I want to keep that door open, but I am
not 100% sure yet. </p>
<p>Do any of you have any advice that can make this decision easier?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>For one, a message from Cal Poly last week said the dorms were full if you didn't sign up by that date.</p>
<p>I was in this exact situation a couple years ago (c/o 2005).</p>
<p>I eventually decided on UCSD, because I felt that CSU SLO would only really be worth it if I stuck with CS or some engineering, but I really wanted more options. UCSD is certainly no slouch as far as CS is concerned either. </p>
<p>As it worked out, I'm still studying CS with no intent to change, but I still don't regret my decision :)</p>
<p>One thing to consider is that a salary from an undergraduate engineering degree is likely to peak in ~5 years. You may come out with $52K a year, but 10 years from now, that will be ~$65K, with probably at best adjustments to account for inflation. My suggestion is to definitely keep the Master's option open, whether its in engineering, or anything else. An engineering degree opens a lot of doors, since the rigor of an engineering curriculum is well known to graduate schools. An engineer can expect to compete and likely be admitted to medical school, business school, even law school. These graduate schools know that engineers work hard, and that they have the diligence and devotion to succeed. </p>
<p>While by no means am I saying that CP SLO is going to deny you these options, what I would have to say is that CP SLO's teaching technique gears its engineers towards work directly out of college, with provisions towards even higher education not nearly as emphasized as UCs. UCs tend to focus on the "book smarts", not so much the practical application of skills such as CP SLO. When coming out of college, its true, SLO engineers know what they're doing. But when it comes to graduate school, a UC degree will have a measurable edge compared to a SLO degree.</p>
<p>Hi Peppers, (and thanks to everyone else for their input)</p>
<p>Thanks for the useful info. You said "When coming out of college, its true, SLO engineers know what they're doing. But when it comes to graduate school, a UC degree will have a measurable edge compared to a SLO degree."</p>
<p>Say I were to go to UCSD --dont you think it would be possible, upon graduating, to "know what I am doing" by learning the practical aspects on my own? For example, through club projects, or internships?</p>
<p>engineeringlife I suggest you put this question over in the engineering forum. There are many students in grad school, and real life engineers over there who can better answer your questions. CP SLO offers masters degrees and many of their students go on to graduate school (both at CP and in other universities). The graduate schools love CP students just as employers do for their technical knowledge. Both schools are an excellent choice for engineering.</p>
<p>"a UC degree will have a measurable edge compared to a SLO degree"</p>
<p>Peppers what information do you have to demonstrate this?</p>
<p>Speaking as an employer (I have hired literally hundreds of CS engineers over the past 20 years), I would hire a UCSD grad over a Cal Poly grad, for college hires. I am in Silicon Valley and I'm quite confident that this opinion prevails among companies in this area. When it comes to experienced hires (3+ years of work), the college may be less important.</p>
<p>I will also point out that as far as CS is concerned, Cal and Stanford rate higher than UCSD, USC, and UCLA, but I digress.</p>
<p>
[quote]
UCs tend to focus on the "book smarts", not so much the practical application of skills such as CP SLO.
[/quote]
My D is a 4th year CS major at UCSD. Believe me, they get a LOT of hands-on, practical, real world experience. They basically are writing various and difficult programs from day 1 through graduation. Of course, they also get a lot of theory.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You may come out with $52K a year, but 10 years from now, that will be ~$65K,
[/quote]
It'd be interesting to see the sources for this conclusion since it's certainly not true for anyone I know and I'm an engineering manager. That's only a 20% increase from a starting salary in 10 years - not much.</p>
<p>To readers of threads like this, be cautious of the sources of information.</p>
<p>My point being is that an undergraduate degree might start out with a lot of money, but there's certainly a peak that they'll reach. I searched out my own major on careers.com and monster; the chemical engineer 3 (assuming that's as high someone coming out with a bachelors will be considered, barring of course lots of work experience) upper range doesn't exceed $78K, with a majority making in the upper 60s. To break what seems like a ceiling, it might be worth it to consider a Master's. </p>
<p>Now I didn't want to say that UCSD has no hands on experience, in fact, what I've heard is that classes tend to have end of the year projects where the whole class will collaborate on making something, designing something, etc. But to say that UCSD's teaching style emphasizes projects and experience over theory...possible, but more likely than not CP SLO does this more.</p>
<p>One must be careful to not lump all of the 'engineering' fields together because they're really quite different. I don't know much about the chemical engineering field but I know quite a bit about the CS field and what's taught in the courses at UCSD. There's a huge amount of 'hands-on' in the CS program at UCSD as evidenced by the students spending 20-40 hours per week writing applications. Talk to some 3rd or 4th year CS students and ask them about the amount of work they put into the programs they write. If you have trouble finding them, look in the computer lab. :)</p>
<p>Regarding Master's programs - it doesn't seem as important in the CS field compared to some other fields. IMO lack of a masters degree doesn't really limit the prospects of the CS grad. It's fine to obtain a masters of course, but not necessary to have a rewarding career. Job experience will become the key to prospects a few years after graduation. </p>
<p>Regarding salary - the entry salary point for CS grads is high relative to many other fields and they can expect to move up fairly rapidly. Salaries after a few years easily exceed $78K. Of course there will be variances depending on exact position, company, and sometimes even location. Ongoing education (not necessarily formal, but learning new languages, technologies, etc.) will be the key to ensuring there's not a low ceiling.</p>
<p>One needs to also keep in mind that one's career will tend to head down different paths after they gain some experience and see what other opportunities and positions are available to them.</p>