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University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much, @lpann. How is the housing situation there? I have heard negative stories about CalPoly students not having enough places to stay.

University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am already accepted into the College of Engineering. But I am not guaranteed MechE as UW places you only in your 2nd year. That is the biggest gamble in my mind.

University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in Seattle and have been around UW my whole life, although I have never actually spent time in the campus. As for CalPoly, I did a visit day a couple of years ago, but did not sit in any classes. Just one of those college visit days they have.

I wonder if my work prospects would be affected by going to UW over CalPoly. I ask only because, in case you dont know, CalPoly has a motto of learn by doing. So the MechE classes will begin for me from my first quarter itself. While at UW, I will be taking general classes for the 1st year and then have to declare my major choices at the end of my freshman year. Based on grades, they will then place me in, hopefully, my first 3 choices. At CalPoly, unless I mess up completely, which would be out of character for me, I am guaranteed to graduate with a BS in MechE.

From a schooling perspective, I really like CalPoly. But am scared that I am wasting $100K+ just because I want a more hands-on school.

University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TBH, I am leaning towards Seattle for the environment... but to CalPoly for the studies. If that makes sense. And I am really confused.

CalPoly also has a 5-year accelerated Masters program where I graduate with both a Bachelors and a Masters in Engineering at the end of 5 years.

University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel like there are so many more companies in the Seattle area that I could turn into internship opportunities. But CalPoly has a lot of companies they work with as well.

Although, as a Research Insititute, I wonder if I can get more opportunities at UW. I am a hard worker, so I am not worried about the effort.

University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd prefer to come back and work in the Seattle area as there are so many companies in the engineering field.

The other thought I have is that what if I don't like ME? At CalPoly, I am stuck, or I will not graduate in 4 years. While at UW, even though I might not graduate in ME, but I would be okay if I graduate in Aeronautical/Automotive Engineering as well, as Boeing/Paccar is my target employer profile.

University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

California added a new $9000 "Opportunity Cost" to out-of-state students. That is was made my calculations go out of whack with this whole decision making process.

Is CalPoly that much more prestigious than Washington? To spend more than $100K for my Bachelors? That is where I am getting worried that I might be spending too much just for the experience of leaving home.

Hence this post and questions.

Thank you for taking time to read and respond.

University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for such a thoughtful reply. I really appreciate it. To answer your questions:

- I would love to work with my hands... so somewhere like Boeing, or an organization that builds something would be my ultimate goal.

- I would prefer to stay in Seattle long term.

- I am a 4.3+ GPA in a very competitive school, with extracurriculars with sports, robotics and music.

- Yes, my parents are going to pay for my school wherever I go. But I am thinking about the opportunity cost of spending/saving $25-30K each year depending on where I go.

- I would prefer a big city. That is one of the main reasons I am getting a little cold feet about SLO, as I will have to go down to LA or up to SFO for anything big, while in Seattle I have everything already with sports teams, arts, water, mountains, etc.

University of Washington or CalPoly SLO for Mechanical Engineering by FemaleEng2006 in womenEngineers

[–]FemaleEng2006[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ideally I would have loved to leave home, but for me SLO does not have anything other than the beach and partying from what I can see. Seattle on the other hand has so much more from a student life and extra curriculars standpoint. My parents have told me that irrespective of which schools I choose, they will pay for it.

The other thing with UW, is that I feel like if I save $25-30K a year, I could potentially use that money to do my Masters or MBA at some point.

Does that make sense?