UCLA vs. Cal Poly SLO

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
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<p>I have recently been accepted into the two universities listed in the title of this thread and am in want of more information. I took tours at both colleges over the last weekend and really loved both of them. Now, I would like to know what current students there think of each of them! I was accepted into UCLA and Cal Poly for Mechanical Engineering, and I would love to hear about people involved in the ME programs at each college, though anyone is free to respond (And please do!). </p>

<p>Some things I would like to know:
What do you think about the environment on campus? Does it feel like home?
How are the people there? Usually pretty friendly and likable?
Do the professors teach their classes well in general? Or are they run by grad students oftentimes?
How hands-on are the programs? Do they tend to get the students involved and integrated into the program?
How is the local environment? Pretty hectic and frustrating? Or laid back and easy?
What kind of things are there to do in your free time?
How is the course-load? Deterring and difficult? Or challenging but manageable?
What other colleges were you accepted into and why did you choose the college you're in now over the others?
Any additional information about the colleges that you think would sway my opinion in favor or away from each.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!
Brandon.</p>

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<p>lot of questions here, my POV, I think there's a huge difference in environment - SLO is beautiful, but a bit isolated, LA is in the thick of it all. Pay attention to that since that'll affect your experience. I loved visiting SLO earlier last quarter - it's definitely a place I could enjoy. For your other questions, read through previous threads. A lot has been said in Flopsy's thread and you'd do well to read through them (so we don't have to duplicate efforts).</p>

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<p>
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What do you think about the environment on campus? Does it feel like home?

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You have to take a visit to find out. I know some students who feel a positive vibe during the campus tour.</p>

<p>
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How are the people there? Usually pretty friendly and likable?

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Generally extremely friendly especially during first year. Don't be shy, you have many opportunities to meet new people from different backgrounds.</p>

<p>
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Do the professors teach their classes well in general? Or are they run by grad students oftentimes?

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Depends on the professor and teaching style. In the ME department, there are a few exceptional lecturers. If you run into a poor professor, take responsibility and learn on your own (your other resources are the textbook, colleagues, the TA, tutors, etc.) Recitations will be run by graduate students. Most of them are PhD candidates and occasionally the TA will be a M.S candidate.</p>

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How hands-on are the programs? Do they tend to get the students involved and integrated into the program?

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ABET is trying to get students to have designed-base project courses in the first year of the program. However it doesn't happen at UCLA for some reason. You need to wait until 3rd year courses until you can do some design projects.
If you are very interested in hands on learning, join some student clubs. It will depend on your interests, but as a ME student, try SAE, ASME, Battlebots, SMV, AIAA, FEED ... just google the organizations. Project opportunities available immediately</p>

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How is the local environment? Pretty hectic and frustrating? Or laid back and easy?

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Depends where you are from. Generally busy but in the rewarding form. Academic life gets increasingly hectic after first year ... for me it was in the hockey stick form.</p>

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How is the course-load? Deterring and difficult? Or challenging but manageable?

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You have flexibility in selecting the amount of units you take and more or less the combinations in the curriculum. I would say the undergraduate load for ME at UCLA is managable but challenging. Huge focus on analysis, a little on design. </p>

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Any additional information about the colleges that you think would sway my opinion in favor or away from each.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>As mentioned in the Engineering thread, SLO focuses on teaching material is a laboratory-based approach. You can get your hands dirty. At UCLA, material is textbook-based and you will do a lot of analysis for your assignments. It depends on which approach you enjoy more, UCLA will prepare you better for graduate school and especially if your ultimate plan is to attain a PhD degree.</p>

<p>As for the environment and nonacademic life, I believe UCLA is the much more enjoyable campus. Great location, friendly people, great tradition in sports. Hope this helps.</p>

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