<p>I know there's been quite a few similar posts on this board lately, and I've read everyone's opinions but I'd still like to see if I can get some more information.
I'm accepted for Mechanical Engineering at both of these schools.
(Sixth college at UCSD)</p>
<p>I've noted plenty of pros and cons to each school, and right now this has me leaning towards SD.
It's been hard to compare the actual educational aspects of these schools.
I've heard a lot about how employers really like the practical, hands-on education offered by Cal Poly but how big of an advantage would this be for me?
Would I still be well prepared for an engineering position at San Diego?
I don't like the fact that I would likely be unable to switch majors at CP - I feel pretty committed to engineering but wouldn't necessarily want to be locked in.
I love the location and surrounding area at UCSD (it's also a couple hours closer to home which is a plus for me). I guess my only complaint would be the way the campus is so spread out, which doesn't seem to be the most social experience.
Also, I would think that later on I could find more internship type opportunities in that metropolitan area?? (I could be wrong). San Louis Obispo is a great place too, but it seems a little isolated to me and I do enjoy the amazing So-cal weather haha.</p>
<p>Anything you guys could add to my impressions would be greatly appreciated!!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say SLO easily. Academically, I would give the edge slightly to SLO because of the hands-on learning, but UCSD is a top engineering school in California and will definitely prepare you for your career. I would just weigh the pros and cons, it seems like you know most of them. It’s pretty much a matter of deciding if you want the better weather,location, and freedom to change major, or a slight edge in education. It seems like you want to go to UCSD, so I would probably choose that. UCSD is a great school for engineering, so I wouldn’t let others talk you out of it just because Cal Poly might be a little better.</p>
<p>I agree. It’s a complex valuation. I went to SLO despite wanting to go to UCLA for a lot of different reasons (more prestigious/LA/better male-female ratio/etc).</p>
<p>Well the UCSD admit day answered a lot of my questions…
They have many large companies partnering with them, and I was impressed by the “team internship” program in which teams of students in various majors are actually paid to help innovate and solve problems for these companies.</p>
<p>The campus is very large and urban (compared to CP), but it seemed like each of the six colleges have their own sort of community spirit.</p>