Pros/Cons of Calpoly for CS?

iulianc
Mon, 16 Sep 2019 17:02:14 +0000

A few comments:
These will cover CS, but are also applicable to Computer Engineering and Software Engineering.
Pros

staff is competent and focused on teaching

no insanely large 101 level classes, I heard Berkeley can have well over 1,000 enrolled students for a class, with overflow rooms

great reputation on the West coast, many top level employers actively recruit from the school

admitted directly to major reduces the competitiveness between students

not sure what you mean about treating with respect, it is arguably the toughest major to get in at a top engineering school, few UCs are more competitive than it

Cons

less known outside of the West coast, although arguably the best CS jobs are on the West coast anyway

not as much focus on research, although it can be done. It does not matter if you don’t want to pursue a career in academia

Getting into classes can be a challenge, but not that much different from other school, and a lot easier if you come in with lots of AP credit and are willing to be creative with the schedules.

Consider Software Engineering and Computer Engineering. Employers don’t care.