Decisions, where to go?

falieson · 04-07-05, 01:54 PM

Only a few weeks left to decide where to go: Cal Poly SLO or Pomona. The only two schools I applied to actually!

I live in michigan so its not very easy for me to visit and find out for my self but I am really undecided about which university to attend!

I have never been to california, but I can't wait to live in the sun.

jayandbutton · 04-07-05, 04:52 PM

are you laid back or more into city scene?
san luis is kinda backwater.
pomona is suburban los angeles.
the academic programs are almost identical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by falieson

Only a few weeks left to decide where to go: Cal Poly SLO or Pomona. The only two schools I applied to actually!

I live in michigan so its not very easy for me to visit and find out for my self but I am really undecided about which university to attend!

I have never been to california, but I can't wait to live in the sun.

SuperMegStar · 04-07-05, 11:09 PM

Pomona and SLO are in very different parts of CA. If you are going for the typical sun, beach, "fun-stuff-to-do," I recommend Pomona. SLO is great... for people who are trying to get away from the action and excitement of the Los Angeles area...

Not to sound mean, but I dont think of Michigan being too diverse. SLO is made up of about 70% white students. Pomona is much more diverse. Something for a non-Californian to think about.

But I am not Pomona-biased

As a native So Californian, I would prefer SLO cuz I am tired of being around so many people. But I dont like the cold water up there for surfing, and I didnt get in either

They are similar academically, but there are some differences... what are you planning to study?

falieson · 04-08-05, 08:09 AM

I am going to study something in the sciences, but probably physics or computer science. No final choice set yet.

Here is my reasons for each.
Pomona:
-Close to Cal. Tech. Campus :I am interested in JPL and probably graduate school
-More opportunity for work and connections
-Getting an apartment (I was looking at something in chino hills, that very far away from CPP?)

SLO:
-The Beach! The Sun!
-A quarter of the population are students, make closer friends I guess.

----
I am afraid of going to a cow town though, I lived in lansing for a couple years and even where I am living now-Detroit area-is pretty lame.

I enjoy going to cafes to relax and do homework, use wireless, and meet people.
As far as clubs go - altered state club is 95% black, and raves are hours and hours away. Thats what I enjoy club wise is the techno dance parties.

Also want to add that partying at UofM and MSU is an absolute blast- I am not really looking for a greek life, but going to parties on friday nights and hot girls definently help a year go by much faster.

swagner · 04-10-05, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayandbutton

are you laid back or more into city scene?
san luis is kinda backwater.
pomona is suburban los angeles.
the academic programs are almost identical.

Though everyone is entitled to their opinions, and none of this is meant as an insult to CPP, I would like to clarify the above statement.

San Luis Obispo is a beautful town on the central coast of California. The term "backwater" simply doesn't describe it (though I have, in fact, heard several more negative terms used to describe southern California, where CPP is located).

In addition, the academic programs are hardly similar. Cal Poly posesses a much higher ranking in all subjects than Cal Poly-Pomona. Something to think about.

xiaoxue · 04-10-05, 11:04 PM

the only significant difference in majors between the two cal poly campuses is that pomona has the second best hospitality management program in the nation and san luis does not have this major. you are right that you have far more internship and professional connectivity opportunities from the pomona campus. the northern campus is rated better in most majors but the difference is not all that great, and i have been at both schools so can speak from experience. all programs i know at both campuses are fully accredited. the southern campus is far more diverse, about 70 per cent from cultures other than white. the northern campus has about 2-3,000 fewer students.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagner

Though everyone is entitled to their opinions, and none of this is meant as an insult to CPP, I would like to clarify the above statement.

San Luis Obispo is a beautful town on the central coast of California. The term "backwater" simply doesn't describe it (though I have, in fact, heard several more negative terms used to describe southern California, where CPP is located).

In addition, the academic programs are hardly similar. Cal Poly posesses a much higher ranking in all subjects than Cal Poly-Pomona. Something to think about.

***Admin*** · 04-11-05, 02:15 PM

Thread moved to "Network" forum.

falieson · 04-14-05, 01:00 PM

Well I am still undecided so I am planning on flying out to cali in the last week or so of april and visiting the two campuses.

I am so excited!

falieson · 04-18-05, 08:44 AM

Well, I am not flying in anymore. AP exams the coming week. Forgot about that. Oh well! I guess I am just going to flip a coin....
San Luis Obispo! Thats where I am going to go - To the beaches!

jayandbutton · 04-18-05, 10:54 AM

neither campus is on the beach nor even within walking distance.
san luis opisbo is on the east side of the 101 highway, some miles from any beach. pomona is on the east side of downtown and also not near any beach.
but in either case you can get to a nice beach within a half hour or so depending on traffic.

sure hope you haven't decided based on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by falieson

Well, I am not flying in anymore. AP exams the coming week. Forgot about that. Oh well! I guess I am just going to flip a coin....
San Luis Obispo! Thats where I am going to go - To the beaches!

xiaoxue · 04-18-05, 11:34 AM

based on something other than beaches, too.
in most cases SLO is ranked a bit higher academically. that would be a good reason. others choose SLO because they are white and are not comfortable being on such a diverse campus. and still others want to get away from the metro scene and go to a small town.

pomona is the best of both worlds. you have the small town feel on a thousand acre horse ranch with sheep and cows grazing but are a half hour to the city with all the attractions. if you want internships this is the place for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayandbutton

neither campus is on the beach nor even within walking distance.
san luis opisbo is on the east side of the 101 highway, some miles from any beach. pomona is on the east side of downtown and also not near any beach.
but in either case you can get to a nice beach within a half hour or so depending on traffic.

sure hope you haven't decided based on this.

falieson · 04-18-05, 06:19 PM

God! your making me undecided again!

I thought SLO was like 15 minutes from 3 beaches, and was a much nicer place to live atmospherically. More college towny.

I really will miss out on the diversity and the job opportunities if I go to SLO - I know this, and I still am not contented with the fact I will be near beaches. But SLO seems to be much better organized, peresonal, and friendly and the fact that it is higher rated is also a bonus. John(I think?) Sharpe from the SLO physics department called me to see if I had any questions.

I think that I really need to focus on the now - and right now I am going to college, so I might as well live the college life and not be so caught up in looking for work!

Besides, I can always transfer and once I am in california it will be so much easier for me to make my decisions!

xiaoxue · 04-18-05, 09:19 PM

we have a fairly decent number of ppl on the pomona campus who started at SLO and then transferred down here as upperclassmen in order to get our tasty internships at places like JPL and mcdonnell douglas and other places foreign to the central coast. the key of course is that you must keep your grades up in order to transfer and hope that your major is not impacted.

it is harder to go the other way by the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by falieson

God! your making me undecided again!

I thought SLO was like 15 minutes from 3 beaches, and was a much nicer place to live atmospherically. More college towny.

I really will miss out on the diversity and the job opportunities if I go to SLO - I know this, and I still am not contented with the fact I will be near beaches. But SLO seems to be much better organized, peresonal, and friendly and the fact that it is higher rated is also a bonus. John(I think?) Sharpe from the SLO physics department called me to see if I had any questions.

I think that I really need to focus on the now - and right now I am going to college, so I might as well live the college life and not be so caught up in looking for work!

Besides, I can always transfer and once I am in california it will be so much easier for me to make my decisions!

Giants8307 · 04-18-05, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falieson

God! your making me undecided again!

I thought SLO was like 15 minutes from 3 beaches, and was a much nicer place to live atmospherically. More college towny.

I really will miss out on the diversity and the job opportunities if I go to SLO - I know this, and I still am not contented with the fact I will be near beaches. But SLO seems to be much better organized, peresonal, and friendly and the fact that it is higher rated is also a bonus. John(I think?) Sharpe from the SLO physics department called me to see if I had any questions.

I think that I really need to focus on the now - and right now I am going to college, so I might as well live the college life and not be so caught up in looking for work!

Besides, I can always transfer and once I am in california it will be so much easier for me to make my decisions!

I've been browsing this forum for a little while, but I just had to respond here so as to stop the spread of misinformation. SLO is 10 minutes from Avila and 12 minutes from Pismo Beach. How do I know? I've timed it. You can also look on google maps to verify my info. For further referrence for your college decision, check out the College Confidential site and search for poly. Lots of opinions on both campuses.

xiaoxue · 04-19-05, 08:40 AM

it took me 15 minutes to get to pismo which is a very nice beach, for whatever that's worth. i also like the fact that SLO has a football team which pomona no longer has. that adds to the college environment. but on the other hand, most ppl think the pomona campus is more beautiful with far superior landscaping and stuff.

in the end, either choice is excellent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giants8307

I've been browsing this forum for a little while, but I just had to respond here so as to stop the spread of misinformation. SLO is 10 minutes from Avila and 12 minutes from Pismo Beach. How do I know? I've timed it. You can also look on google maps to verify my info. For further referrence for your college decision, check out the College Confidential site and search for poly. Lots of opinions on both campuses.

falieson · 04-19-05, 11:19 AM

JPL Is really one fo those internship opportunities that I am looking forward to.

jayandbutton · 04-19-05, 11:34 AM

i love both cal poly campuses and i think that the college confidential site has been overly harsh and ignorant about the pomona campus, typically based on no facts but rather the name pomona and some perceived link with either ghettos or lousy CSUs.

the truth is that the internship programs in the CPP college of engr are incredible. i have friends who have done gigs at JPL, museum of science, lockheed martin, city of los angeles...places that would be out of reach for SLO.

life is a series of tradeoffs. you get more of the college town atmosphere at SLO. you are about 20 minutes closer to a beach if that matters. but conversely if you like skiing and snow you are 30 minutes to baldy lifts from CPP and more than four hours to the sierras from SLO. you are minutes away from major theme parks, sports venues, concerts, and jobs at CPP as opposed to minutes away from what, santa maria at SLO?

don't get me wrong....i love SLO. the faculty is awesome. but i would choose pomona because so many other things are near. then you can do grad school at UCLA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by falieson

JPL Is really one fo those internship opportunities that I am looking forward to.

Giants8307 · 04-19-05, 02:39 PM

Do any of you have any numbers to substantiate your opinion that Pomona has better internship opportunitiues than SLO? And to the OP, you won't miss out on job opportunities if you go to SLO. 95% are working or in grad school one year after graduation. CPSLO grads are extremely sought-after, especially if you graduate with a computer science degree.

jayandbutton · 04-19-05, 02:47 PM

i can get data if you like. my engr friends tell me that everyone in that college who wants an internship can get one should they desire, and most get to pick among several choices. the other evidence is obvious: a college that is more than 70 years old with more than 3,000 students in a metro area of 14 million people with that kind of ranking and programs of course is going to have good chances if it is polytechnic.

but that said, your point is about placement and not internships. from that perspective SLO graduates do GREAT in landing full time jobs. i personally would rather be close to the jobs during college, too, but trust me....i have enormous respect for our sister school to the north. all of you up there are blessed to be on that campus!

do you root for the los angeles angels (of a....) when they play the blue team?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giants8307

Do any of you have any numbers to substantiate your opinion that Pomona has better internship opportunitiues than SLO? And to the OP, you won't miss out on job opportunities if you go to SLO. 95% are working or in grad school one year after graduation. CPSLO grads are extremely sought-after, especially if you graduate with a computer science degree.

Giants8307 · 04-20-05, 01:56 AM

I don't doubt you guys get internships, but many on this board have been impressing the idea that pomona students get MORE internships than SLO students. That's where i'd like to see some backup. Regarding baseball, I'm kinda neutral when the Angels and Dodgers get together. I'm still pissed about the 2002 World Series and my roommate is from Anaheim, so I talk a lot of trash to him. That said, the giants gain a half game every time the Dodgers lose, so I feel pulled in both directions.

04-07-05, 01:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
falieson Newcomer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Off Campus - SLO Posts: 45	Decisions, where to go? Only a few weeks left to decide where to go: Cal Poly SLO or Pomona. The only two schools I applied to actually! I live in michigan so its not very easy for me to visit and find out for my self but I am really undecided about which university to attend! I have never been to california, but I can't wait to live in the sun.

04-08-05, 08:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
falieson Newcomer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Off Campus - SLO Posts: 45	I am going to study something in the sciences, but probably physics or computer science. No final choice set yet. Here is my reasons for each. Pomona: -Close to Cal. Tech. Campus :I am interested in JPL and probably graduate school -More opportunity for work and connections -Getting an apartment (I was looking at something in chino hills, that very far away from CPP?) SLO: -The Beach! The Sun! -A quarter of the population are students, make closer friends I guess. ---- I am afraid of going to a cow town though, I lived in lansing for a couple years and even where I am living now-Detroit area-is pretty lame. I enjoy going to cafes to relax and do homework, use wireless, and meet people. As far as clubs go - altered state club is 95% black, and raves are hours and hours away. Thats what I enjoy club wise is the techno dance parties. Also want to add that partying at UofM and MSU is an absolute blast- I am not really looking for a greek life, but going to parties on friday nights and hot girls definently help a year go by much faster. Last edited by falieson; 04-08-05 at 08:41 AM.

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04-07-05, 11:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
SuperMegStar Active Member Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 135	Pomona and SLO are in very different parts of CA. If you are going for the typical sun, beach, "fun-stuff-to-do," I recommend Pomona. SLO is great... for people who are trying to get away from the action and excitement of the Los Angeles area... Not to sound mean, but I dont think of Michigan being too diverse. SLO is made up of about 70% white students. Pomona is much more diverse. Something for a non-Californian to think about. But I am not Pomona-biased As a native So Californian, I would prefer SLO cuz I am tired of being around so many people. But I dont like the cold water up there for surfing, and I didnt get in either They are similar academically, but there are some differences... what are you planning to study?

04-11-05, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
*Admin* Think About It Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,983	Thread moved to "Network" forum.

04-14-05, 01:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
falieson Newcomer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Off Campus - SLO Posts: 45	Well I am still undecided so I am planning on flying out to cali in the last week or so of april and visiting the two campuses. I am so excited!

04-18-05, 08:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
falieson Newcomer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Off Campus - SLO Posts: 45	Well, I am not flying in anymore. AP exams the coming week. Forgot about that. Oh well! I guess I am just going to flip a coin.... San Luis Obispo! Thats where I am going to go - To the beaches!

04-18-05, 06:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
falieson Newcomer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Off Campus - SLO Posts: 45	God! your making me undecided again! I thought SLO was like 15 minutes from 3 beaches, and was a much nicer place to live atmospherically. More college towny. I really will miss out on the diversity and the job opportunities if I go to SLO - I know this, and I still am not contented with the fact I will be near beaches. But SLO seems to be much better organized, peresonal, and friendly and the fact that it is higher rated is also a bonus. John(I think?) Sharpe from the SLO physics department called me to see if I had any questions. I think that I really need to focus on the now - and right now I am going to college, so I might as well live the college life and not be so caught up in looking for work! Besides, I can always transfer and once I am in california it will be so much easier for me to make my decisions!

04-19-05, 11:19 AM	#16 (permalink)
falieson Newcomer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Off Campus - SLO Posts: 45	JPL Is really one fo those internship opportunities that I am looking forward to.

04-19-05, 02:39 PM	#18 (permalink)
Giants8307 Active Member Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 60	Do any of you have any numbers to substantiate your opinion that Pomona has better internship opportunitiues than SLO? And to the OP, you won't miss out on job opportunities if you go to SLO. 95% are working or in grad school one year after graduation. CPSLO grads are extremely sought-after, especially if you graduate with a computer science degree.

04-20-05, 01:56 AM	#20 (permalink)
Giants8307 Active Member Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 60	I don't doubt you guys get internships, but many on this board have been impressing the idea that pomona students get MORE internships than SLO students. That's where i'd like to see some backup. Regarding baseball, I'm kinda neutral when the Angels and Dodgers get together. I'm still pissed about the 2002 World Series and my roommate is from Anaheim, so I talk a lot of trash to him. That said, the giants gain a half game every time the Dodgers lose, so I feel pulled in both directions.