Hi! I got into my top 2 schools (which is awesome, of course) but I’ve been struggling so much to make a choice–I could see myself happy at both schools) Here’s a pro/con list I’ve made so far; TIA for your help:
Background Info
-I’m from New York
-Majoring in Food Science
-Went to a competitive, high-pressure HS; looking for a chill, collaborative environment
-Looking to eventually move to the west coast after college graduation
-LGBTQ+ and a POC (looking for an accepting, somewhat diverse environment)
-Able to afford both schools…but Cal Poly is right at my parents’ upper limit; would be stressful if COA increased a ton
Cal Poly
Pros:
-LOTS of hands-on learning opportunities (ie. creamery, jam, wine, chocolate production)
-Food science labs were renovated in 2023 (demo kitchen looked so cool!) , I’ll be able to use the lab equipment used in actual food companies, preparing me for my career better
-Starting major-specific classes from my first year (and a LOT more major specific classes early on–able to get more knowledge in my major instead of spending excessive time on GEs)
-Food industry visits SLO and consults with Cal Poly students on products
-Small class sizes
-Nice, sunny weather year round, close to beaches
-Solid connections to food companies in SF/LA
-Cat shelter on campus
-SLO is such an awesome place…seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in a beautiful coastal town
-California is much more laid back than the east coast
-True fresh start since I’ll be on the opposite coast
-Emphasis on finding a job right out of college–like that the school focuses more on real-world application of course material vs theory
Cons:
-~57k/yr; costs more than UMass
-Have to fly from NY; tough to find flights to SLO; expensive
-Quarter to semester switch in 2026 (not sure if it’ll be harder to graduate in 4yrs) + library closed?
-Less diverse…scared that it’ll be tough to be openly gay…i don’t want to go back into the closet or be scared to be myself
-Bad food?
-Tough to get the classes you need (from what i’ve heard–can’t afford a 5th yr)
-FAR from home
UMass
Pros:
-Very LGBTQ+ friendly
-4+1 BS/MS program
-Good 4 yr graduation rate; easier to get the classes you need
-Amazing campus food
-Semester system (it takes me some time to grasp new concepts…might be easier to acclimate to semester system)
-Only a 3hr drive from home; easy to meet up w/family during breaks
-Solid, #1 food science dept. in the US
-Got a solid scholarship for $16k/yr, so COA is apprx. $41k/yr
-Campus is pretty; lots of cozy study spaces
-Cool senior project–develop an ice cream flavor
-Many resources to help you succeed ie peer tutoring
-Familiar with the Northeast/culture here.
-Professors were friendly when I visited for Destination Days and showed me around their labs
-Lots of research opportunities
Cons
-Visited; sorta disliked the town of Amherst…too rural for my taste
-I have seasonal affective disorder, so NE winters have been kinda rough
-Job connections learn more towards the East Coast/Boston
-Less hands-on opportunities at the start of my college career (no on-campus food science job opportunities like working at a creamery/winery etc)
-Less exposure to major-specific classes until Jr year
-Larger class sizes
-More gen eds
My son is an engineering alum (BS/MS ME '19). He graduated in five years with a thesis based masters, and no over scheduled semesters. You can absolutely graduate in 4 years if you do three things: 1) don’t repeat any classes 2) don’t dodge instructors 3) don’t dodge time slots. One of his HS friends graduated in kinesiology in 3.5 years. You can easily do it.
This seems like a significant factor in favor of UMass. Being at the limit of affordability leaves no room for error or financial bad luck; since you have an option that is significantly below the limit, it may be less stressful with that option.
San Luis Obispo is a relatively small city in a rural area as well.
I never heard of this til it hit a chat a few months ago.
Whiile it seems on paper that UMass might be a better fit (finances, travel, etc.) and I don’t know where Cal Poly fits on SAD - it seems to me that one issue maybe should totally impact a “where” decision - if it will create a difficult four years.
Best of luck to you and congrats on your opportunities.
Since you’d like to end up on the west coast, and SLO is close to the heart of California’s agriculture industry, I would pick SLO. You’ll get a hands-on education, have internship opportunities, etc. Also, there’s a lot of food tech innovation happening in the state, too.
thanks, that’s a good point; my parents are planning to retire within the next couple of years, and i don’t want to strain their finances too much with the added stress of a 57k/yr+ tuition bill to pay. haha yeah true but slo has the added plus of a year-round temperate climate and is near some awesome beaches (a massive plus in my book).
yeah that’s what’s making this decision so difficult–umass seems like the better choice on paper but my heart is telling me to go to slo! thank you so much :))
If, and I don’t know how the SAD affects, but you will be somewhere 8 months a year - day after day - and while affordability is paramount, I don’t see going to a place that you know will be a difficult experience up front - can be good.
My daughter is at Cal Poly SLO. Beautiful town, amazing weather, near the beach, great hands on learning, smaller class size, tons of clubs on campus. Something to consider is that the cost of off campus housing is expensive.
oregon state is about the same price as umass (but it’s probably worse for my SAD given oregon’s rep for gloomy, rainy weather). cal state long beach is affordable but isn’t as well-known for food science. from late oct-the end of february, i just feel incredibly lethargic, have severe headaches, zero concentration, etc…it makes the 1st semester of school incredibly difficult socially/academically. it’s crazy how much better i feel 2nd semester/summer, and i wonder how i’d be if i felt that energy year-round.
I’m not familiar with food sciences - but have you looked at career outcomes at each school?
Often times they are not as different as you think from high ranked to less or not ranked.
You might (or might not) do well from any school - but you certainly won’t do well at any school if you have the symptoms you described in the previous note - so even if you have to start a new search, I’d find the affordable school where you can excel in the right area.
D21 is a junior at SLO. She loves it. It’s a great college town and atmosphere. Her major is not Food Science.
She has friends that are LBGTQ community. I’ve not heard of any issues.
The town has good food, but the food served at Vista Grande (VG) is mediocre. But they do have other restaurants now open and that will be opening soon.
D21 has gotten into all her classes, but often she may not get the professor or time slot she desires. She’ll graduate on time with a minor. She could graduate early, but doesn’t want to. Also, summer classes are currently lightly attended.
There are bazillions of enterprises available to Ag students, calves, sheep, horses, dairy, meat plant, etc. And you’re immediately hands on in your major. Day 1.
Are you planning to take the federal student loans? You can borrow $5500 your freshman year, $6500 sophomore year, $7500 for junior and senior years. Plus, you can get a job and help get the overall cost closer to UMass.
In your situation, I think I would go for the more affordable (but still top-ranked) program at UMass, but start early getting my ducks in a row to spend a semester or even a full year at Cal Poly (at the UMass price). You’d get to experience the assets of both schools, and make connections on the west coast, but you wouldn’t be out on as much of a financial and logistical limb.
(I don’t think LGBTQ+ friendliness at Cal Poly should be a worry, but racial/ethnic diversity is somewhat lacking as you noted.)
Also, in D21’s case, she’s had some very nice professors. Like I’m sure everywhere, you’ll have some good and bad, but a couple of D’s chem professors have been wonderful.
Wherever you attend, go to office hours. Often professors are very happy to help. Almost like having your own free tutor.
As for the quarter system, it’s the same amount of material split into thirds, except you get 3 cracks at your grades instead of two, in a typical year long course.
not planning on taking out loans if i can avoid it. i have a summer job lined up + music gigs and i’m trying to save as much as i can. both of my parents took out loans for college and don’t want me to, so they’re against the idea of that. they say they have enough saved for me to be able to go to cal poly but i think that they’d prefer that i choose a college that’s closer to $50k/yr or less.
i didn’t know that was a thing!! i’m definitely going to look into the national student exchange bc i think that’s definitely a really good option for my situation. this is so helpful, thanks.
