Studying chemistry likes the feel of UCSB better but is it worth so much more money?! I feel as if the programs are very comparable academically. Any insight ?
$120,000 is huge. While we can’t make the decision for you, SLO is great and the fact that it is cheaper is also great!
$120K more? Wow! I guess it comes down to perspective. If the $120k is a just drop in the bucket for you then go for it. If your like most of us middle class folks where that is a lot of money I’d say ‘SLO, here we come!’. Both are great schools by the way.
definitely not a drop in the bucket…if it was we’d be off to usc…
i agree both are good schools…theres a difference in the teaching theory based vs hands on…
How are you getting a 120K difference between UCSB and Slo? Did you get a scholarship at Slo? Or are you able to live at home? Total cost of attendance between the two isn’t that big of a spread assuming instate at both and living on campus.
@Klhmb98: What does your son want to do with a Chemistry major? Research/Teaching? His is probably looking at Grad school so I would save the $120K and help fund his graduate degree. SLO is a great option for Undergrad and he can consider UCSB for Graduate school, the best of both worlds.
The money difference is a scholarship received… looking at possibly doing research in pharmaceutical industry.@Gumbymom do you know where I can find stats for kids who graduated from SLO and furthered their education at grad school? Beside the locations of the school there’s a difference in theory vs hands on teaching. Right now we r strongly suggesting Slo
Chem jobs don’t typically pay all that well, so save your money!
The information on this link is self-reported and not up to date: https://careerservices.calpoly.edu/gsr
I have no personal experience in regards to the type of Chemistry research opportunities that are available at SLO, but many of the CSU’s do offer undergrad research opportunities that used to be available only at the UC’s. He might want to email the Chemistry department at SLO to see what is available.
Check likelihood of graduating at CalPoly in 4 years in chemistry… I’ve heard that some majors there can be more impacted and take 5 years rather than 4, which would affect overall cost. No idea about chem in specific, though.
If the scholarship is one that can easily be maintained (no outrageous GPA requirements to continue), I’d be inclined to to go to Slo. However, have you visited both campuses? Sometimes you can just tell where you are more likely to be successful. My daughter really liked UCSB and was admitted this year but thought she be more inclined to lie in the sun and skip class after visiting. It was too mellow for her.
@BearHouse that made me smile yes mine has visited both she does like UCSB better I think she’s caught up on the UC vs Cal state. She is waitlisted at her two top schools so it’s been a journey. The scholarship is maintainable…we live in a beach town so I think UCSB is comforting but I think she could adjust at slo just fine
@jym626 Yes I agree her goal is pharmacy though
Well, the good news is she has two great options! I do not know if graduate school in pharmacy/chem is usually funded or not. If it is, then spending the money on the UC might be worth it. If not, minimizing costs at the undergraduate level may be more important. Perhaps, trying to get a read on graduate school costs may help shed light on this decision. Although I do think Slo and SDSU are equal to many of the UC’s, I do agree that the perception bias is real.
@ BearHouse yes the bias is real to her. Our son is at SDSU and happy. She also has UCSD as an option so I think I will take her down there again as well… it’s a journey
@Gumbymom do you know anything about UCSD chemistry programs? For whatever I reason I didn’t add this in title prob bc UCSB seems to be the school of the moment for her
It’s only worth $120,000 if you’re wealthy.
Sorry cannot give you an specifics but UCSD is known to have exceptional science programs and plenty of research opportunities but students to need to make an effort to pursue those research opportunities. UCSD is another excellent option but a very different vibe than UCSB.