Engineering College (4 year), small cozy town with friendly people ... with JOBS? (Fresno: rent, schools)

[DMenscha]

I'd say ditto with SLO.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I am not certain, but I do know you have to be in the state at least 6 months to be a resident, it used to be a year..

Nita

oh, one more thing, which isn't what you want to hear: most of the State schools are not even accepting applications for spring of 2010. I am not sure about fall.

Nita

[brianguy]

Cal Tech

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by brianguy

Cal Tech

Sure if you have test scores off the wall and money coming out of your ears, plus the OP is looking for small town atmosphere.

Nita

[grimstuff]

Cal Poly, SLO is a top national school for engineering and architecture. However, it is also very hard to get into those programs. San Luis Obispo is a small, "cozy" town with a well-defined downtown. That said, it's 4 hours from either LA or the Bay Area. Also, it "feels" a little like Southern California here, with most college students coming from there, with its emphasis on materialism. Housing is expensive, although other areas of CA are comparable. You would not have a problem getting a job as an RN. There are two regional hospitals in town that are always hiring. (My wife is finishing the RN program here and interning at Sierra Vista.)

As other posters have mentioned, CSU Chico is also another engineering school, with a lot of engineering programs. There's also UC Davis, which you should look into, especially since the town of Davis would also fit into what you want. Cal Poly probably has the most prestigious engineering programs of the three, but clearly that's not everything, and may be more of a negative if it just makes it harder to get in. If you don't want to feel a little isolated from the Big City, don't come to SLO. Housing is probably comparable to Davis. I'd say the cheapest is probably Chico.

Good luck! (if you want any more info about SLO, dont hesitate to ask.)

[grimstuff]

Originally Posted by nmnita

oh, one more thing, which isn't what you want to hear: most of the State schools are not even accepting applications for spring of 2010. I am not sure about fall.

Nita

They just announced that CSUs will not be admitting Spring students. But that's not a big problem; because most programs accept most of their students for the Fall, anyway.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by grimstuff

They just announced that CSUs will not be admitting Spring students. But that's not a big problem; because most programs accept most of their students for the Fall, anyway.

actually they announced that months ago. I realize right now it is just for spring, but no one knows what is to follow. I think the best thing for the Op is to have boyfriend start applying, see what happens and the cost.

Nita

[Bunjee]

If your boyfriend can get into CalTech then Montrose is about a dozen miles away and has a cozy feel. Occidental is in the area too, but you'll have to check into the quality of its engineering program. Same with Cal State Channel Islands in Camarillo. UC Merced is over 100 miles to SF. Check out the job listings in these areas, then look into the university programs. UC Redlands is another option.

San Luis Obispo would be might top choice given your considerations, but I don't think the job market is very expansive.

[Melissa E]

Originally Posted by nmnita

oh, one more thing, which isn't what you want to hear: most of the State schools are not even accepting applications for spring of 2010. I am not sure about fall.

Nita

alright, we'll have to look into it. I've been looking into jobs in the SLO area tonight. I'm not seeing too much.

[Melissa E]

Originally Posted by Bunjee

If your boyfriend can get into CalTech then Montrose is about a dozen miles away and has a cozy feel. Occidental is in the area too, but you'll have to check into the quality of its engineering program. Same with Cal State Channel Islands in Camarillo. UC Merced is over 100 miles to SF. Check out the job listings in these areas, then look into the university programs. UC Redlands is another option.

San Luis Obispo would be might top choice given your considerations, but I don't think the job market is very expansive.

Thanks very much. We're looking into things now. Everything seems so complicated (I was looking into apts in the SLO area - holy crap! expensive!)! Ugh! But I've got some direction now if we do decide on CA. I'm getting the vibe by prices I'm seeing, though, that CA is just not worth the price to me. Maybe, though.