<p>I've pretty much wrapped up junior year in my high school and I'm pretty set to attend UMBC in the Fall of 2010. I've decided to major in Mechanical Engineering. I love all the aspects of UMBC (its close, has my friends, pretty good school, [US news top 5 schools to watch, Princeton Review ranks it as one of the best values], and I'm familiar with the area. But the problem is I think I'll be more successful if I graduate from the University of Maryland-College Park since it is more recognized in engineering. I know I probably won't get into cp since I currently have a 3.14 GPA unweighted (includes frshmn, soph., and junior years) and got a 1730 on my SAT but I will still send in an application in case I somehow get in. I'm very sure UMBC will take me but the question is: </p>
<p>-Should I transfer after a year of UMBC?</p>
<p>P.S. - I've always been interested in Airplanes (I have some air force roots in my family)but UMBC does not offer Aerospace so I decided to settle for mechanical since I like all types of mechanics (whether it flies or not :p) But if I decide to transfer, </p>
<p>-Should I switch my major when I get to College park? And will it be a problem if I major in Mechanical engineering for a year at UMBC and then transfer to cp for Aerospace engineering major?</p>
<p>well actually I was just notified that I got an A in another one of my classes so after accounting for that, I now know that my GPA will be 3.19 not 3.14.</p>
<p>i have a 3.3 unweighted and i just got into college park. My cousin did ME at college park and now she has a job that pays 89k a year. I think it would be in your best interests to transfer.</p>
My suggestion is that your transfer. If you don’t you’ll be competing against the Maryland grads and the Hopkin grads, which isn’t to your advantage.</p>
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<p>No, it won’t be a problem because normally your first year will be core classes, not major specific classes. If you do have the opportunity to take ME classes your first year, i would stray from that unless they overlap with your future AE degree requirements.</p>
<p>I’ve worked in Maryland for 6 years in the defense industry and honestly I didn’t even know UMBC had engineering. The engineers I work with come from: MIT, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Hopkins, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, RPI, RIT, Rutgers, Colorado school of Mines, GW…you get the picture - most are great engineering schools.</p>
<p>Where you went to school really only helps you when seeking that first job. After that it’s all about work experience. If you want to work for a big company out of college you need to get on their radar. I’m not saying you can’t do that being a UMBC grad, i’m just saying it won’t be as easy. You’ll have to shine even more, especially with the great engineering pools in-state and in PA/VA near by.</p>
<p>I think your GPA is fine for UMD. I’m not sure about your SAT though, UMD only looks at SAT M+CR if you can get that to around 1300 I think you can get in</p>