Thread: CalPoly SLO && Gonzaga Students

  1. #1
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    CalPoly SLO && Gonzaga Students

    I am heavily considering both schools; however, the deadline is coming up and I'm having a hard time deciding.

    I thought I would go to CalPoly because I am originally from Cali, so going there would have been cool. But I declared ME when I applied, because at the time, that's what I wanted to do. But since the application in Nov., my interests have changed and I now want to do CPE. I have spoken to advisers and profs and Poly about this. Anyways, they say you have to be there for at least a quarter before changing majors. I spoke to the director of engineering advising center, and she sent me to a website that has the minimum requirements.

    Anyways, the requirements include about 5 classes, and if I take AP credit, I believe that it would cover one of those classes. So I would still have to take 4 classes, which she included in her email, that it takes most students about 2 to 3 quarters.

    So, to the engineering students at Poly, if you changed to CPE or EE, how long did it take you to be able to switch? How many more classes per quarter were you able to take?

    This makes it tough because if I am taking ME classes for my freshmen year, and then start my soph. year with CPE, that year of ME classes seems wasteful. And if it takes me longer to switch, for example, still taking some classes soph. year to have the requirements, that time seems wasteful.

    And that's where Gonzaga comes in. Since I don't want to be in Indiana at Rose-Hulman, it's not just the location, it's also the cost; which is why Stanford and Santa Clara are kindof off the list as well, because all three cost ~$40k per year. And I don't really want to be in state at CU Boulder or CO School of Mines.

    At Gonzaga, I can start with the CPE major. This would account for no lost time, just trying to take requirement classes to be able to switch.

    I also don't plan to bring my car unless absolutely necessary by my soph year or higher. I haven't yet been to Spokane, but it seems like there would be more to do there than San Luis Obispo.

    Both are good schools, and I know that; which makes it a difficult decision. I'm kindof worried about how long it would take to switch majors at CalPoly, but I'm originally from sd, so I prefer the weather in Cali. I know that Spokane is usually warmer and cooler in the winter and summer, respectively, than CO.

    So to the Gonzaga students, how do you like the school? If you have switched majors, especially those within the engineering department, have you found it easy to do?

    I know it's kindof long, thanks for reading. If you can share your thoughts, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

  2. #2
    Registered User sean345's Avatar
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    I'm an engineering student at Cal Poly SLO. I have not tried switching majors, but I do know CPE is crowded currently and it is tough to get into.

    Even if you started as an ME major most of your first year classes are the same no matter what engineering you are in. You could even take CPE classes while you are an ME major until you can switch.

    Hope that helps.

    - Sean
    If cities were built like software is built, the first woodpecker to come along would level civilization.
    Black Frog Studios

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    Originally posted by sean345
    I'm an engineering student at Cal Poly SLO. I have not tried switching majors, but I do know CPE is crowded currently and it is tough to get into.

    Even if you started as an ME major most of your first year classes are the same no matter what engineering you are in. You could even take CPE classes while you are an ME major until you can switch.

    Hope that helps.

    - Sean
    That does help. But the thing I am worried about is that I am taking the CPE courses along with the ME courses, and when I do switch, the ME majors may be a waste. That is if I can switch. Taking the classes wouldn't be a problem, other than the idea that it could take a year to do so.

    I know there are a lot of similar courses the first year, but then there are some courses specific to CPE that is not part of the requirements, which means possibly being there for another year. That doesn't bother me, except for not understanding why I can't just switch, especially that I haven't started yet. I know it is very impacted, but still...

    Thanks for the reply.

  4. #4
    Registered User sean345's Avatar
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    It's a tough choice to make. I know I will probably be at Cal Poly for 5 years. That seems to be how long it takes people in engineering to graduate.

    Good luck.

    - Sean
    If cities were built like software is built, the first woodpecker to come along would level civilization.
    Black Frog Studios

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