<p>I got accepted to both schools for a Mathematics major, but I'm looking to major in mechanical or electrical engineering.</p>
<p>At Cal Poly SLO I heard its nearly impossible to change into an engineering major... And at UCSD, MechE is impacted.</p>
<p>Which school is better for mechanical and electrical engineering? How hard is changing majors into MechE at SLO and UCSD?</p>
<p>Also cost is a big factor for me - SLO is much cheaper than UCSD, but I hear a lot of students graduate in 5-6 years, which would be pointless financially if you can graduate in 4 years at a UC.</p>
<p>This has nothing to do with academics, but consider visiting the two schools. UCSD is more of a big-city environment. There’s plenty to do, but it’s quite spread out. Cal Poly is a cute college town with lots to do in the vicinity, but it’s really far away from big cities. It really depends on your preference.</p>
<p>^Alright, you should still be able to graduate in 4 years if you plan things out right and don’t be a lazy slacker. I don’t know how hard it would be to switch into mechanical engineering, but getting electrical engineering would be easy.</p>
<p>I had to make this choice last year. What I found out is this:</p>
<p>If you want to get a job after graduation, go to cal poly.
If you want to go to grad school, go to UCSD.</p>
<p>I’m in the ME program here and they emphasize theory alot which is good prep for grad school. Cal Poly is much better career training, employers would generally rather hire them because grads can work for them efficiently right away. So, it depends. Also, I think your right it is harder to switch majors at cal poly so that might be something to keep in mind also.</p>
<p>I was referring to UCSD. I know hardly anything about Cal Poly besides that it’s hard to switch majors. As far as which one is better, obviously I can’t say in the sense that I’m not in either program, but in the rankings, UCSD seems to be consistently top 15 in the nation while Cal Poly isn’t even on the rankings. Just saying.</p>
<p>Cal Poly you CANNOT switch majors^ they made this rule when people kept going in as business majors and switching into engineering a few years ago… </p>
<p>im sure there is some loop hole to do it, but it is impossible for all reasonable means</p>
<p>yeah i have to agree with everyone else, if you are sure you want to work straight away after graduating, cal poly is the way to go, you can get a job pretty quickly</p>
<p>However, if you have any thoughts of going to grad or professional school, then go to UCSD, better academia and researchers</p>
<p>Dude, it’s true. I didn’t apply to Cal Poly purely because of their rules against changing majors. I had no idea what I wanted to major in as a freshman. It’s really a stupid rule.</p>
<p>well they also have some weird rules
like before this year, a frosh could NOT be accepted into aerospace engineering. you had to be accepted into engineering and complete a full semester,then you were eligible to transfer in. oh and i think they will allow you to switch OUT of an engineering program and into an unimpacted major like food science, business, or some other lesser major. </p>
<p>i do know for a fact, though, that you can’t switch majors freely. especially into any type of engineering or program related to such. my friend’s sister was of the last class that went to CP before this rule change, she switched into cENGR… lucky duck</p>
<p>that school is GREAT for engineering, has a great campus, great pride, fun as all hell, but they have some crazy rules.</p>
<p>if you are a student, you can reapply for regular decision and try to get in as a transfer. thats how you would “switch” majors. but its highly unlikely</p>