Transfer Interest [Construction Major]

[kumquat]

I'm attending Pomona now [as a Construction EngTech major] and all I can say is that it has, unfortunately, lived up to its reputation. I am very disappointed and unhappy with the institution and am interested in transferring to San Luis Obispo.

Through my personal experiences with Pomona, I've found that:
1. Registration is hard - no one plans on graduating in 4 years, even if they stick to 1 major.
2. The budget is low, if not nonexistent - there are too many students and not nearly enough teachers or classes.
3. It is a commuter school - dorms accommodate for 3,000. The website says there's nearly 20,000 students.
4. Everyone is... distant. Everyone's always in a rush to get out of Pomona and drive home. You won't make friends in the classroom. And there's no campus life.
5. The "hands on learning" philosophy has not been living up to its reputation.
6. My major [Construction] is small - there's only 5 teachers for the core classes.
7. Teachers are hard to get ahold of. Office hours are more of a suggestion [or a sick joke].
8. Communication [albeit simple] with faculty and staff is difficult. Forget sending e-mails to any of them - responses are rare. Go to their office, hope they're there, and hope even harder that they'll show some concern.
9. Only... 1/8 [?] of the school consists of nice facilities. This 1/8 is what's constantly printed in catalogs, brochures, websites... The campus is not what you'd describe as aesthetically pleasing.
10. Facilities are pretty shanty and run down. Classrooms are apparently meant to be used, but not enjoyed.
11. Labs at Pomona aren't all that special. For a school that boasts high-tech and leading industry labs, there's still plenty of black-and-green screen computers.
12. The campus is surrounded by cows, horses, sheep, goats, llamas - which are fun to look at, but it makes the whole university smell like manure.
13. It is mandatory to see an advisor at least once a year [or quarter, depending on your major] which is a major drag, because you can never track one down.
14. Crime - though mostly theft - is high. I guess a lot of shady people flock to Pomona.
15. Classes drag. You don't learn concepts quickly. It's a lot of "running out the clock".

I *hear* that Pomona is going to build a new Recreational Center starting 2012, but they're receiving funding through raising tuition $200/quarter.

And,
1. Parking isn't as bad as people said it used to be.
2. Student population is very diverse. [Which would be cool if you actually get to speak to anyone.]
3. Classes don't get larger than 200.
4. If you do have time you're willing to kill on campus, the campus cafeteria buffet is pretty good.


Remember that this is only what I've personally experienced.

So can someone help me out? I'd like to know if San Luis IS different from Pomona. I don't want to move 3 hours away to find myself in the same institution. Oh, and I heard San Luis is building a new Construction Management building.

[Admin]

You hit some points dead on. Your personal experience will in no doubt help (warn?) prospective Construction Majors know what they're getting into.

kumquat, your best bet is to contact the admissions office of Cal Poly SLO and explain your personal situation. Then continually build a rapport with the admission staff and continue to make contacts with important staff members. http://www.caed.calpoly.edu/cm.html Don't give up! And good luck.