<p>Hi everyone. My son was recently accepted into a few mechanical engineering programs. UC Berkeley is one of them. We would pay out of state tuition, although some of it will be covered through FAFSA and external scholarships. </p>
<p>Do any of you have any insight on the ME program at Berkeley? Is it worth paying the extra money?</p>
<p>Money isn't really a big concern, although it would definitely be nice if it was cheaper. I am a bit worried about the competition at UC Berkeley and am afraid that my son's academic performance may suffer due to the intense competition. He did very well in high school and on standardized test scores, but I'm assuming everyone accepted into Berkeley's program has those qualities.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I guess he didn’t get Drake (highly competitive full ride scholarship for ME majors, includes out-of-state tuition)?</p>
<p>What are his other choices, what are the net prices after grant (not loan) aid at each, and what level of debt would be required at each choice?</p>
<p>My mentor/adviser got his MS and PhD in ME from Berkeley and is the most down to earth, awesome, knowledgeable person I’ve met in my discipline (ME/AERO). </p>
<p>I assume their undergraduate programs are just as good.</p>
<p>How muich money are we talking about here? Where else did he get accepted to and what are the financial opportunities given at those places? </p>
<p>I can tell you that the ME program there is very demanding. He’ll be competing with students who are set on being the top in their class. For obvious reasons, that’s not going to work out for everyone.</p>