Schools like Cal Poly SLO?

rocket88
Fri, 10 Nov 2017 04:58:25 +0000

There is nothing wrong with getting an engineering degree at a “research” school such as the UCs. “Learn by doing” is a great motto and I like Cal Poly SLO a lot. But the UCs have great undergraduate engineering programs as well. Do you really think that ME students at UC schools (many of which are as competitive or more competitive than Cal Poly SLO) would not have opportunities to “learn by doing”?

There are other Cal State schools with good engineering programs as well–don’t dismiss these. Do some research to find out which programs have the best reputations, fit your interests, are attainable with your stats, and allow you to get away from your home district. These could well be the most affordable options for you.

Another thought is Oregon State University. It has a technical/ag history similar to Cal Poly SLO, and fills something of the same role in Oregon’s higher ed system. They are actively courting California students with merit scholarships. With a merit scholarship, cost would still be somewhat more expensive than a UC–not sure how need based aid works for out of state students there. Beautiful campus, great college town (Corvallis).