<p>So I have this dilemma I have to deal with as I transfer from a SF State University and seem to be going crazy at this point as I need some advice.</p>
<p>I applied to UCSD as a transfer for Mechanical Engineering but was admitted under the condition as an Undeclared due to the ME(Mechanial Engineering) program being impacted, where I can choose another major instead. I have also been admitted to Cal Poly Pomona and have been admitted to there engineering program for ME.</p>
<p>My problem is that I've heard Pomona is a good school but UCSD is more reputable. </p>
<p>My choice is that I either go to Pomona and finish my ME courses
OR
I enter into UCSD as an Undeclared major and be forced to choose another major other than ME such as:</p>
<p>Honestly the only other major I would consider is structural which is similar in terms of classes and which I have a interest in. I have not taken any in depth courses to get a feel for either major except for classes like Solids, Fluids, Materials of engineering, Dynamics, and Statics. Maybe someone can help me with my situation and guide me in a direction....</p>
<p>Looks like UCSD structural engineering is not a traditional civil engineering degree program; it is ABET accredited only under general criteria, rather than for a specific engineering field (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.).</p>
<p>But if you are set on mechanical engineering, it makes more sense to go to a school with your major.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. Can you comment on whether an education from Pomona would be more desirable in ME or a different major from UCSD? I’m thinking that really in the end it doesn’t matter where you graduate as long as you are strong in the field of your choice.</p>
<p>OK – My family actually has experience here. My kid was accepted to UCSD, Cal Poly Pomona, 4 other UC’s (including UCLA and UCSB, etc.) and Cal Poly SLO. Ultimately my kid chose Cal Poly SLO for ME. However, we toured all the schools and our final ranking for the top 3 looked like this:</p>
<p>First of all, UCSD and Cal Poly Pomona are very, very different. I strongly encourage you to physically visit the schools if you haven’t already. The reason why both Cal Poly’s were in our final top 3 is that we preferred the hands on, learn my doing approach of the schools over the research emphasis of the UC system. Many employers feel the same way. The Cal Poly’s share a common history and teaching methodology. However, there is a gap between Cal Poly SLO and Cal Poly Pomona that was wide enough to let UCSD slip into 2nd place. I believe that UCSD is a better program than Cal Poly Pomona. However, as ucbalumnus said above, it makes more sense to go to a school that offered you a spot in your major. When it comes to ME what you want is a school with a good reputation, has ABET accreditation, and will get you out on time with a degree and a job offer. Cal Poly Pomona will do all of those things for you. UCSD is more oriented to preparing you for a masters degree than preparing you for a job and even though it is a stellar school, if they are not offering you ME than it should be off the table unless you are sure you can be happy with another major or if you think that you can get into ME through the backdoor once enrolled.</p>
<p>It may be a painful choice, but if you want to be a Mechanical Engineer, you gotta get a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Make up for the loss by taking advantage of the excellent internship and coop program at Cal Poly Pomona. Also, you can significantly upgrade your experience and opportunities by applying for Cal Poly Pomona’s Kellogg Honors College. This is actually one of the best Honors College programs I’ve ever seen. It offers priority registration, special classes with no more than 20 students, special lounge, dorms, dedicated counselors, group events, trips, internships and basically VIP treatment for the duration of your time at Cal Poly Pomona. My son seriously weighed going there as he was accepted to the Kellogg Honors College and it can transform your experience at the school. So, that is the route that I would choose – unless you are so enamored with UCSD that you can’t see yourself going anywhere else and are willing to be trained in another field other than your major of choice.</p>
<p>I don’t think Cal Poly Pomona is as bad as people on CC make it to be. UCSD is known for Bio related engineering. ME at Cal Poly is very reputable, one of my relatives got PhD at UCLA after a BS in ME from Cal Poly. It’s more hands on.</p>
<p>@OsakaDad, I haven’t had a chance to look at the Cal Poly Pomona campus but it seems quite dry and not a lot of pretty scenery. Can you describe it?</p>
<p>@ pbh415 – Cal Poly Pomona actually has a really nice campus. One of the consistent comments by the students that we met there was that the campus was beautiful. Your first impression will be the fields and stables around campus. The famous Kellogg family donated the land and the campus to the state with the mandate that the school would continue to raise the benefactor’s beloved Arabian horses for as long as the school exists. So, if you are lucky you will see Arabian horses frolicking and grazing in the fields like we did the first day we explored campus. The school’s hands on learn by doing teaching methodology extends to all subjects including agriculture, so there are a lot of vineyards and cash crop programs around campus. There is a small school produce store where you can buy fruits, vegetables and other goods grown or raised on campus farms. The school has a lot of botanical diversity and a beautiful rose garden as well. It also has a Japanese garden and a small pond with ducks and frogs on campus. It is a surprisingly nice place to be --we really liked it. There is a brand new state of the art business building and the well funded engineering department has impressive facilities as well. One of the interesting things that you will see is an office park nearby campus where certain firms that recruit from campus have set up facilities. So Cal Edison is one such firm as well as many others. Another surprising thing we saw was the campus art museum filled with work from local and student artists, the theater department and the music building. Another thing that surprised us was that CPP has one of the best hotel and hospitality programs in the US with its own accommodations and upscale restaurant on campus as well. It also has a distinctive administrative building that is featured on much of its literature, but I believe that it has some structural issues and will be replaced or overhauled in the future.</p>
<p>It is located inland from Los Angeles and does have a hot and dry climate, but it is not a bad campus with acceptable dormitories and on campus dining. There is a surprising amount of school spirit and it is a commuter school. However, so is UCSD to a certain extent. The nearby city of Pomona is a bit of a let down. But, who cares? Joshua Tree National Park is nearby and it is nothing short of spectacular. Big Bear for hiking anytime and skiing/snow boarding in the Winter. Idyllwild for rock climbing is close by too. If you like nightlife or the beach go into LA. If you like Las Vegas, you are 1/3 of the way there from LA. Also, nearby are several elite private LAC’s and other publics. The Claremont consortium (Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps), University of Laverne, University of Redlands, UC Riverside, CSU San Bernardino and RCC.</p>
<p>Like I said, it was in our top 3 for sure. Is it the most beautiful campus I’ve ever seen? No, it is not – but, there is something really cool and unique about it that we liked. My kid said, “I can see myself going here” while we were on the campus tour. Two other very important pluses for the school – Exactly as DrGoogle mentioned above, Cal Poly Pomona sends a number of folks to great grad schools. USC and Cal Tech among others like UCLA. Also, you will save between $12,000 to $13,000 a year at CPP over UCSD.</p>
<p>Ultimately, only you can decide. If you want prestige and major is of little concern then UCSD trumps CPP. If you want to be a Mechanical Engineer then go to CPP. CPP is a good school and will give you a respected degree. You will most likely get paid as much as the next ME when you get hired and after that it will be all up to you and your abilities on the job. There is a lot of truth to what you said above, “I’m thinking that really in the end it doesn’t matter where you graduate as long as you are strong in the field of your choice.” </p>
<p>In terms of size, CPP is a top 20 engineering school in the US and graduates 1 out of 14 engineers in California. This is a legitimate engineering college and if you combine it with the Kellogg Honors College, if you choose that route, you can get the added prestige. CPP engineers work at JPL, SoCal Edison, DWP and a lot of other top firms.</p>
<p>Some people on CC complain that CPP graduates rank and file line engineers while management jobs are saved for folks that went to top schools. Alumni networks do make a difference in the job market. However, specifically in engineering, it is your professional abilities that determine how far you go. If there ever was a merit based profession it is engineering. Get the degree and be the best you can. You’ll be fine.</p>