<p>I'm only an incoming sophomore at a 60-70th ranked Mechanical engineering university. I didn't do too well my freshman year with only a 3.45 gpa. My goal is to have a 3.8 by the time I graduate. I didn't do any research my freshman year and only volunteered for habitat for humanity. I will start doing research this year and in the summer. Do prestigious engineering universities only except prestigious students for their summer research opportunities? The summer after my junior year I think I'll try to get an internship instead of research because I have to take some summer courses. Do internships hire full time/ part time? What's more beneficial on an application: research or internships? I'm confident with my quantitative gre score. I'll join a few clubs and continue to volunteer. By the time I graduate I think i'll have 3 years of research experience w/ 1 summer research experience and a summer internship. Are my chances good?</p>