<p>I just got accepted to Cal Poly SLO and Berkeley. I am debating between the 5 years bachelor degree and the 4+2 master degree. I want to go to SLO, but then i will be forced into the 5 years program, and I am still debating between master or bachelor degree. I want to know the difference in reality (job opportunity) between a UCB MArch and a SLO BArch. </p>
<p>Should I go to SLO for the 5 years program, then work , then return to get my graduate degree (which will be a total of 7 years)?
Or should i enter UCB then go to graduate school (I think i have a lower chance getting into UCB grad school from UCB undergrad than SLO)?</p>
<p>Congrats on having a wonderful dilemma. SLO or UCB? Great choices. First I have to disclose that I am a Cal Poly fan. So, my opinion is biased. Also, my kid turned down 5 offers from the UC’s to take engineering at the school.</p>
<p>Berkeley is an outstanding school, but in this case I actually think that Cal Poly out ranks it. Here is some info that ranks Cal Poly 4th nationally and first on the West Coast. [Cal</a> Poly Architecture, Design Programs Earn Top Honors Again from DesignIntelligence](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2011/November/designintelligence.html]Cal”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2011/November/designintelligence.html)</p>
<p>Here is another more recent ranking that has Cal Poly 5th nationally, but with Architecture firms placing Cal Poly in first place, which means employers feel Cal Poly is tops. This is more important than academic rankings as far as I am concerned. [Cal</a> Poly Architecture Programs Earn High Ranks in Nationwide Survey](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2012/December/architecture.html]Cal”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2012/December/architecture.html)</p>
<p>I would suggest that you go to SLO and get the 5 year program behind you and then work. Then return to grad school after you have real world experience behind you. Generally, employers want to see hands on experience in your field. What you’ve done is very important and working prior to grad school gives you a much different perspective on things. I got my undergrad degree, worked internationally for 5 years and then went on for an MBA. Had I gone straight into an MBA program without working, I would not have gotten as much out of the program. Working first allowed me to pursue areas of study that I would have been unaware of had I not worked in the field.</p>
<p>However, that is my experience in the business world. Arch may be more academic, but I doubt it. Arch is a struggling field right now and every project seems to be governed by the bottom line. I believe and others may disagree, but I think hands on experience will be decisive for you in your career.</p>