<p>Got into both. However, got in under different majors: Cognitive Science for UCSD and Chemistry/Biochemistry for CPSLO. Long story short, my interests changed b/w the time I submitted the CSU app and the time I submitted the UC app.</p>
<p>However, my parents are basically forcing me into UCs all the way cuz they’re stuck in their one-sided Asian minds that UCs are way above CSUs. But I feel different in the sense that Cal Poly rivals, and may even surpass, some UCs. Even my current teachers who are parents of kids in both CSUs and UCs agree w/ me but no matter what I say, my parents just don’t listen. Granted, I’m still trying to make a decision b/w both, but I want my parents to be more open-minded and welcome to reality if I may choose Cal Poly instead.</p>
<p>What do you guys think of CP vs. UCs? I may not even get the chance to visit CP during their Open House so I don’t think I’ll have the chance to show my parents what CP is like. I suggested the idea of visiting both UCSD and CPSLO during Spring Break and my mom basically said, “Sure, we’ll visit SD but not SLO - we just don’t wanna go there.” Plus, my dad has said that if I "…go to CPSLO, I may as well just save money and go to community college instead.</p>
<p>As repetitive as I’ve been, basically dealing w/ a major case of UC vs. CSUs amongst my stubborn Asian parents. Help.</p>
<p>Okay, even though I love Cal Poly, I think UCSD might be a better fit for your major. Any science at UCSD is very highly ranked - perhaps even higher than CPSLO’s. However, I have the feeling that you like SLO more than UCSD. Frankly, you can’t go wrong with either. Both are great schools. But are you leaning more toward your major or… the general environment? If you like research, go for a UC. If you’re more practical and want a job right after graduation, go for the CSU. It’s your choice; don’t let your parents tell you where YOU don’t want to go! :-)</p>
<p>If you’re more interested in Cognitive Science than chem/biochem, what would you want to major in at Cal Poly? If you’ve been accepted as a chem/biochem major at Cal Poly, then consider that it will be very difficult to change majors.</p>
<p>Do you want to go to grad school? If so, UCSD is probably a better option as you will dive deeper into theory than you will at Cal Poly.</p>
<p>@willhsu93</p>
<p>To this day, the stigma of the UC vs CSU thing has already practically disappeared and employers don’t even look at that. Along with the facts and figures, Essentially you are also comparing Cal Poly, which is already highly regarded over most of all the UCs. Cal Poly is referred as the flagship campus of the CSUs and total different level over the other general CSU campus. You can say that Cal Poly is basically on its separate tier from the whole CSU. It would be the Berekely of the CSU. If you are talking about all UCs being highly regarded, then that is not true. Most people would probably only Essentially regard UC Berkeley and maybe UCLA in certain degree (if you compare majors). And prestige wise, personally, Cal Poly by its name, has already become on par with Berekely and UCLA already no doubt. Industries know this and facts and figures show the comparisons. Ceteris paribus, you should decide what campus and location essentially you will be best suit, the major you want to pursue, the expenses, the people in both schools, etc.</p>
<p>If there is one useful advice anyone can give you about college selection, it would be to visit the school. </p>
<p>After all, you won’t rent an apartment that you will be living in for the next 4 years without first looking at it in person, so same goes for university. In fact, it is even more critical to visit the university because your life changing decision will not solely be based on academics, but also on the student body, school’s culture, location/environment in the area, faculty teaching style, campus, and strength of the major in question.</p>
<p>Remember that you will be making a lot of friends and contacts while you are in university. These friendships and network might even last for the life time. So it is crucial that you feel a sense of visceral belonging, comfort, and may be even joy, at the university of your final choice. Moreover, in order for you to thrive academically, you need to be in a healthy state of being, and this includes a strong social life (i.e. good group of friends). If you are miserable where you are, it will no doubt adversely impact your GPA and ultimately your professional/graduate school future.</p>
<p>You would be doing yourself a HUGE disservice by assuming that the school’s name is the only thing that is important in your decision; a major life decision that you might regret. </p>
<p>So go visit both universities before choosing. </p>
<p>On a pure academic basis alone, UCSD life sciences are VERY strong. If you are aiming for that area, UCSD will be undoubtedly superior. However, if you are interested in disciplines in the areas of engineering, architecture, business, or agriculture, then Cal Poly will be a very compelling choice.</p>
<p>FYI</p>
<p>There is no official “flagship” campus in the CSU system. Actually, there are a few making the claim. San Jose State is the oldest, San Diego State the research university, Cal State Long Beach is the largest by enrollment, and Fresno State is the “athletic flagship”. So , Cal Poly SLO is a good college, but do not spread false and/or pretentious information.</p>
<p>well said Adesigner and great posting…</p>
<p>@gonzostuff, are you kidding or do you not know your facts. All universities do research if there are graduate programs. And no, that does not refer to a “Research University” you are labeling. The only university in California I know of in California that can legitimately be labeled as “Research University” is the UC San Francisco (UCSF), the university that does not offer undergraduate degrees. Now that is a “Research University” if you want to call it since it is purely a Graduate University. And Cal Poly does offer great research opportunities. Many professor’s on campus are doing research and publishing textbooks, if they are not teaching. I am a business MBA student there and I would have to say that there are some really successful professors that most of there time do research projects and publish business reports and books. That being said, SDSU does do research like any other university, but it is not a so called “Research University.”</p>
<p>@Adesigner</p>
<p>Thought-provoking findings sir. I recommend that you publish this immediately; may I suggest the Journal of Academic Boosterism?</p>
<p>My apologies, I forgot the premise that whatever Charles B. Reed says is at par with Canon law.</p>
<p>@CalPolyBusiness</p>
<p>Well, according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Cal Poly SLO, as the other 21 of 23 campuses of the California State University are not “Research Universities”.</p>
<p>[Carnegie</a> Classification of Institutions of Higher Education - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education - Wikipedia”>Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Not that it means anything, as a matter of fact, I think is nice that they stay loyal to their mission and focus more on undergraduate education. There are other very reputable universities that fall under the “Master’s” category: Cooper Union, Harvey Mudd, West Point, etc.</p>
<p>Willhsu93
You probably wont like what Im about to say. Despite how much you want to change your parents minds, you may not change them.</p>
<p>Some parents are really caught up in the name of a university. To some, UC sounds much more prestigious than Cal Poly. I dont agree, but it just so happens your parents feel that way.</p>
<p>Who might be paying for your college? If it is you, then you could go where you want. If not, it might be hard to get your parents to pay for a school that they really dont like. </p>
<p>As mentioned earlier, it would be great if your parents could visit Cal Poly. Then they would see it is not just another community college. If you cant visit, could you show them a virtual tour of the campus, housing, & community; some of the national news articles about Cal Poly & its reputation; expense comparisons between the UC and Cal Poly; etc.? Would they visit the school counselor with you to discuss this? </p>
<p>If you chose Cal Poly, it is very possible that your parents will come around, once they move you to Cal Poly and see the campus & SLO. Is SLO too far for them to visit you? Maybe UCSD is closer and an easier drive for them? I dont need answers, but this may be important to them.</p>
<p>Just offering a few suggestions to gently educate them about Cal Poly. Good luck with your decision. Both schools are fine choices.</p>
Cal Poly SLO is, by far, the best California State School. It is equal to a mid level UC. Of course one must compare major to major. The real difference is in philosophy. Cal Poly embraces collaboration between disciplines. This is the bases of their “learn by doing” model. Plus, last year, 88% of graduates had a paid job waiting for them when they graduated. Their intern program is solid.
If you want to follow a difficult (but well established, time tested) route, go UC. If you want to trail blaze, Cal Poly embraces that energy more quickly. For the money, Cal Poly is hard to beat…