<p>1st I have to get accepted into UCSD, but I think I'll make the cut (3.4 GPA, all but 1 2 unit physics course are done in terms of pre-requisites). I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, but I am trying to plan out my summer (I will try and transfer early and go to summer school down there).</p>
<p>My major is Mechanical Engineering. I've already been accepted by Cal Poly Pomona, UC Irvine and UC Davis. I have yet to hear from UCSD and UC Berkeley. I am not in awe of the prestige of Berkeley, and I am more interested about getting a quality PRACTICAL education. I want to be involved in as many engineering activities that I can get involved with. Formula SAE, Baja SAE, human powered vehicle, etc etc. If there is a wrench to be turned, or a frame to be designed/welded/etc, I want to be involved. </p>
<p>I decided that UC Irvine is probably not the place for me. Their engineering department looked decent, but nothing stood out. No notible faculty for mech./aero. engineering, no routinely high finishes in any competition, not a particularly large engineering department, and it's a commuter school. While I am sure their educational program there is good, as I said, I don't think it's the place for me.</p>
<p>UC Davis looks like a great place. Lots of ABET certified programs, they already admitted me, and they have the largest engineering department of all the UCs. It looks like they are involved in a lot of competitions (with regard to engineering stuff), and the TAs don't do any of the undergrad teaching. </p>
<p>UC San Diego appears to have a program where if you perform well while pursuing your undergrad for mech. engineering, you can go straight on through and get a masters ( MAE</a> Undergraduate Education - Degree Programs ). Their engineering department is huge (although not as big as Davis), they don't seem to be the commuter campus that Irvine is, and they seem to be involved in a lot of engineering competitions. Some friends that do go there (but not for mech. engineering) have all loved the school.</p>
<p>So given all that, can you guys talk me out of UCSD, or do you think that that school is the best fit for me (provided I get accepted of course).</p>
<p>Thanks for any/all of your input. </p>
<p>Ogi</p>