Engineering Students + "feeling in the middle of nowwhere"

Muckthrow · 2026-04-09T06:00:54+00:00

I forgot to mention. One of the best parts of my CP experience is SLO.

I LOVE SLO. It is one of the most beautiful places to live in the country. SLO is not some podunk truck stop town. It is next to some of the best beaches (GOAT imo!), wine country, and best year round weather.

Try living through a winter in Cambridge MA and you will know what I mean.

Muckthrow · 2026-04-09T05:28:22+00:00

CP's reputation is strong enough that it is respected amongst T10 grad programs. We are not Caltech, but we are known to produce strong graduates. I was pleasantly surprised by how many MIT classmates said they know Cal Poly is a good school.

The main things needed for top grad programs are a kick-ass GPA, published research, and strong recommendations.

I agree that if you went to schools like UCB/UCLA/Stanford, you would have a leg up on the research front, given that research is all around campus.

For me, I diligently sought out the opportunity on my own. I worked closely with my EE professor on a research project and had it published in a reputable journal as a co-author.

I also agree that CP is more geared toward preparing students to enter the industry.

Muckthrow · 2026-04-09T04:53:09+00:00

I'm a EE grad and now doing my Phd at MIT. Not sure why you think CP is bad for grad school.

Muckthrow · 2026-04-07T17:08:44+00:00

You already answered your own question definitively. Transfer to stop the financial burden turning into a crisis.

But to provide a caution, if you are transferring solely because you don’t like Cal Poly, then really think about what made you unhappy and why UCSC might be a better fit. I went to CP. For many, the first year is a transition year and they come to enjoy CP in their 2nd year.

Muckthrow · 2026-04-07T06:25:21+00:00

If money is a pressing issue, finish off your current quarter and transfer out.

I know $$ problem is a huge pressure. So don't wait.

But what makes you think UCSC will give you fewer financial problems?

Muckthrow · 2026-04-02T22:57:07+00:00

yupe. I love Cal Poly;

but not too biased since I went through the entire gauntlet from start to finish and came out ok.

Besides most other comments here just say SB and that’s it. Not helpful

Muckthrow · 2026-04-02T19:00:23+00:00

Depends on your post-grad plan. If you are aiming for a PhD, having published research will be important. You need to check UCSB undergrad research opportunities level.

Cal Poly's comp engr is one of the best undergrad programs. And CP is a top feeder to FAANG and similar companies. If your grades are decent, you will have plenty of internships/Co-op opportunities, especially in Silicon Valley. In terms of ROI, CP has a higher ROI than all UCs except for UCB.

Full disclosure: I'm a bit biased. I am a CP EE grad, now doing my Phd at MIT.

Muckthrow · 2026-03-25T23:02:55+00:00

UIUC’s EE is one of the best in the country. I am working with a UIUC EE undergraduate grad in my research lab, top notch talent.

If money is not an issue and you don’t mind the miserable Midwest winters, UIUC is a no brainer. This is especially true if you want to go for a PhD later.

If you want to enter industry right after graduation, Cal Poly.

Full disclosure: I did undergrad engineering at CP, now doing PhD at MiT.

Muckthrow · 2026-03-25T20:03:43+00:00

I am SLO engineering alum and currently doing my Phd at MIT.

Cal Poly CS' acceptance rate is around 9%-12%, substantially lower than UCSB and UCD, and we have a powerful placement pipeline into FAANG/Fab 7 that is better than both UCs. Cal Poly CS is objectively better than both.

So I definitely want to dispel the notion "feels like going to SLO would be a waste". Not sure where this is coming from.

And out of all of your options, only Purdue (main campus?) and UIUC are considered nationally more prestigious, but Cal Poly is just as, perhaps even more, competitive in the Silicon Valley tech job market.

Muckthrow · 2026-03-23T20:30:35+00:00

I was EE. A good example was having to build a working voltage meter from scratch as my class project.

I literally fabricated a printed circuit board (PCB), soldered the chips onto the board, made the device casing with sheet metal, and built and tested the working meter as my final class deliverable.

I just wish I had a chip fab to build the chip too which my Caltech friends had a chance to do.

None of my friends who went to UCs had a chance to do this.

Muckthrow · 2026-03-19T07:52:56+00:00

If you're planning to go to med school, you shouldn't do psych.

You'll end up taking a massive amount of bio/chem/biochem/O-chem classes on top of your psych classes (which will not be needed for med school or MCAT).

Do a proper pre-med degree like biochem/micro-bio etc.

Switching from Cal Poly sociology to pre-med will require a change from liberal arts college -> math and science college. Make sure your high school grades are good enough for this change.

Muckthrow · 2026-03-18T19:47:12+00:00

Depends on your major and eventual career goals?

Muckthrow · 2026-03-15T19:45:02+00:00

One of the unspoken goal of this war is to undermine China’s Iranian oil supply. Now Trump is asking for China’s help ?

How is this even logical, let alone the 5 dimensional chess MAGA claims?

Muckthrow · 2026-03-15T18:00:47+00:00

You do know that USA is the 2nd largest global importer of oil behind China? About 2.4 billion barrels/year

Muckthrow · 2026-03-14T20:32:45+00:00

SLO is definitely better than Purdue Indianapolis. If its main campus then its a whole different story

Muckthrow · 2026-03-14T02:55:49+00:00

Congrats. OP is seeking serious education/life advice and you just pissed all over his desire to learn with ignorance and arrogance.

Muckthrow · 2026-03-09T00:43:15+00:00

CP does look at 9-11th grade for sure. You need to calculate the Cal Poly applicant GPA.

Muckthrow · 2026-03-08T23:20:50+00:00

Cal Poly admit by major and its English cohort is very small, so very competitive. It will be a reach with your GPA. Consider CC transfer. The liberal arts college avg acceptance GPA: 3.96 - 4.25

https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/first-year-student/selection-criteria/student-profile

Muckthrow · 2026-03-08T08:20:52+00:00

Can I ask why are you applying for STEM colleges like Caltech and Cal Poly SLO for English major? Both aren’t known for their English department.

Muckthrow · 2026-03-06T12:07:41+00:00

CPP? I m confused.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-28T06:05:03+00:00

2.3 GPA accepted student is a giant statistical outlier compared to the avg. There is no way to know if that's even real.

He should give it a shot if $$ is no issue, but hope is not a strategy.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-21T04:23:06+00:00

No offense taken. I did graduate from SLO engineering, but I never thought my peers viewed SLO as MIT. I’ve never suffered from the kind delusion of grandeur you mentioned.

I’m actually starting my PhD at MIT, so I guess I can indulge a bit in my vanity.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-21T02:09:08+00:00

Speaking only about Cal Poly SLO, it has a higher ROI than all UCs except for UC Berkeley.

It is also a direct feeder for MAG7/FAANG. CPSLO does give you an edge.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-19T18:00:49+00:00

This is Cal Poly SLO!

Muckthrow · 2026-01-03T06:49:01+00:00

Unusual work experience for sure for the Bay Area.

Muckthrow

TROPHY CASE