<p>Deep Springs doesn’t offer engineering. Additionally, both Georgia Tech and UC Berkeley are in horrible locations for people who love the outdoors but lack a car. If the OP is a California resident, he should check out UCSC, UCSB, and Cal Poly SLO all of which have excellent engineering and outdoors activities. UC Davis is the most bike friendly city in America, but it’s extremely flat and surrounded by miles and miles of farmland. Not the best for someone who wants to walk five minutes and be surrounded by nature. </p>
<p>Montana State has good engineering, and excellent outdoors opportunities. It’s a good choice for someone with less than perfect grades, particularly because if the OP lives in a WUE state, he might qualify for it. </p>
<p>Another Western school, Oregon State is right next to the forest and offers a TON of outdoor recreational clubs and activities. It’s Oregon’s engineering school.</p>
<p>In the South, Clemson and University of Alabama might also be possibilities, particularly if the OP doesn’t want to deal with the extreme weather of Vermont or Montana.</p>