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I am trying to decide between Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and Fresno State for a masters in English and going to go into teaching. If somebody could give me some advice with maybe some supporting links. Thanks in advanced.

By Shanlar (Shanlar) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 06:28 pm: Edit

Anybody? I really need some advice/thoughts =/

By Crackcorn (Crackcorn) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 07:18 pm: Edit

I don't think Cal Poly is known for its English dept.

But I don't know anything about Fresno State.

Personally I'd go with Cal Poly for its name recognition and location.

By Highschoolda (Highschoolda) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 07:22 pm: Edit

Fresno State is where Gary Soto went. He is a very famous writer/ poet, so i'd go there.

By Spartan858585 (Spartan858585) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 07:46 pm: Edit

Go to Cal Poly. Even though it is more well known for its engineering and architecture programs it is still more prestigious than Fresno State. Cal Poly is the flagship of the Cal States after all.

By Crackcorn (Crackcorn) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 09:00 pm: Edit

And San Luis Obispo is much nicer than Fresno.

By Lynn (Lynn) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 03:33 pm: Edit

Why only those two choices? If you want to stay in the state system, Chico, Fullerton, Long Beach, Sacramento or Northridge would be worth considering for an English Masters, too. Cal Poly is known for maths, sciences, engineering, architecture, and agriculture. English wouldn't be one of the strength departments. I don't know that much about Fresno other than its school system has always been better than the norm in California (which, I'm afraid, isn't saying much).

All other things being equal, I would rather live in San Luis Obispo than Fresno. Fresno is extremely hot during the summer and fogged in for most of the winter. SLO has nicer weather and has a cute college downtown area and the pretty mission, though there isn't much to do there (my sister & her family live there--niece goes to Cal Poly).

Is there a reason you don't want to attend a UC system school?

By Crackcorn (Crackcorn) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 06:46 pm: Edit

Also SLO is centrally located between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Less than 4 hours drive from each city according to Yahoo Maps. And its only about 2 hours from Santa Barbara. So if you get too bored you can always drive to one of those cities.

By Sirmoreau (Sirmoreau) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 11:21 pm: Edit

Fresno State has some COOL professors. Victor David Hansen who writes for the Wall Street Journal/www.opinionjournal.com is a professor at Fresno State. I believe he teaches Military History though, my dad wants me to go there just so I can be taught by this guy....but that probably has nothing to do with teaching. Good luck.

By Samia (Samia) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 09:11 pm: Edit

Fresno isnt THAT bad. OK, so maybe I didn't apply to the school because I live here and my mom works there, but its a pretty nice campus. I dunno if extra things such as a good football team are of interest to you, but some other facts are that its located in a central part of town, very close to the mall and other things. Also, I hear they have a very strong teaching program. Fresno State excels in areas such as nursing, teaching, and business. As for the summers in Fresno, who says you have to be in town during the summer? Going back home is always an option to avoid the heat. And if not that, what is AC for?

By Thedad (Thedad) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 09:22 pm: Edit

Cal Poly is much stronger academically and is in a much nicer location. Unless there's a particular major that would draw you to Fresno State or you're an athlete that wants to play for the Fighting Raisins, this one's an easy call.

By Ashimilie (Ashimilie) on Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 03:47 am: Edit

I sometimes wonder why I let you go. This is one of those times.
(message meant for shanlar only... he knows who this is)