Cal Poly or VTech?
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Anonymous
| Business school. Both OOS, from DMV They seem pretty similar academically but on opposite coasts. |
Anonymous
| Where do they want to live after college? Due to friends, internships, and professional networks, they might end up getting a first (second, third) job close to where they go to school. |
Anonymous
| Though both are OOS, is cost the same when you factor in travel and cost of living? Do you have friends of family near Cal Poly jury in case something happens? |
Anonymous
| Vtech ? The toy manufacturer? |
Anonymous
| Though they may be similar academically, they have very different vibes and cultures. If you can swing a visit to both, the answer should be obvious for your DC. |
Anonymous
https://www.vtech.com/ - a job at an electronics place or https://www.vt.edu/ - VATech - a University in VA |
Anonymous
| Cal Poly is a PITA to get to. Aren’t you price sensitive at all? It’s also limited in the internships in the area. Cal Poly also regularly has student riots: https://mustangnews.net/cal-poly-students-overrun-festival/ |
Anonymous
|
I went to Cal Poly (business major) and my son goes to Virginia Tech (data science major). I still have college friends in SLO so have visited regularly over the years with my kids and, based on those visits, Cal Poly was DS's ideal of a college. But, he didn't apply because he didn't have the grades to be competitive and the hassle of getting there was a barrier. He's been very happy at VT.
I agree with the comment that the main factor should be where does he want to end up after college. VT is more mid-Atlantic focused in network and recruiting. CPSLO is more CA focused. Of course, you can go anywhere from either school but you will find a whole lot more alums in their regions. I don't think the comment about no internships in SLO is relevant. It's not like Blacksburg has a lot of internship options. In both cases, the focus would be on internships during summer. CPSLO intergrates a coop into their program and much more of an explicit "learn by doing" focus. However, DS has had great "learn by doing" opportunities at VT. CPSLO is more undergrad focused and not as large as VT. To me, the closest personality in VA was JMU. SLO is a better college town than Blacksburg (in my perhaps biased opinion) but if you like a rah-rah sports culture, that's not CPSLO (unless it has changed dramatically). Getting there from DC is a PITA. It does have an airport but no direct flights. Be sure you are factoring in the travel expense when comparing costs. Also, investigate how often student graduate in 4 years (or 4 years + coop terms). I've heard it's gotten better but when I went there, 4 years was unheard of. 5 years was the norm (I took 5 years including a summer/fall co-op). So, it might cost more than you think. VT had a clear flow chart of how to complete in 4 years and all of DS's friends are graduating on time, with the exception of someone who transferred from another school. Ultimately, they both have a lot of good points and I don't think you can go wrong. I'd mainly decide on where you think you want to live after college. |
Anonymous
| Cal Poly no question |
Anonymous
Such pedantry. |
Anonymous
|
Both are great schools - what does your kid prefer?
My kid just enrolled at VT so my view is colored by his positive experience and enthusiasm for the school at the moment. But everyone I've spoken with who attended VT has good things to say about the experience. For me, being able to drive to VT (and conceivably, even drown down/back in the same day, although it's a lot of driving) would put it over the edge all things being equal. I like the idea of him being "away - but not a plane ride away" at school. |
Anonymous
| Assuming Cal Poly SLO not one of the other two, I’d choose that based on lifestyle, but I loved for a long time in CA and loved it. Transportation is definitely a pain the the neck, though. Both are somewhat regional so I agree that you should at least consider where kid wants to end up. Also the vibe is different at both so kid will likely have a preference. |
Anonymous
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Distance and col should not not be a factor. My kid goes to a college close by us. We hardly see them, but moving in/out is sooo easy.
I lived in CA for most of my life, 40 years. I love it there. But, it's pricey. Your kid's life isn't going to be just going to class and eating meals on campus, and everything and anything they do will cost more in CA. You pay for the privilege of living in one of the best localities in the country. A friend used to live there, and another friend is thinking of retiring there. It's a fantastic area, but agree with a PP, PITA to get there. It's surrounded by ag land. That said, SLO has a great regional reputation out west. |
Anonymous
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Cal Poly has a hidden fee that is not tuition or room and board. It's Opportunity Fee; $8,469
Not sure if you accounted for it. I was surprised when I saw that hidden fee - I was thinking without that fee the place is competitive OOS with VA in-state. For kid experience Cal Poly is close to the beach and the mountains.. VA Tech is a forest school that is big on football. |
Anonymous
This is a College and University Discussion board. Are you lost or just stupid? Not funny. Didn’t laugh. |