<p>Okay I have posted this question in an earlier thread but did not get much attention so I am posting it again. So I have applied for graduate program from a couple of schools, mostly UCs and some other top schools, but have been rejected. What I have now is:</p>
<p>Undergrad: Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne Australia
Average/GPA: 83/100 or ~3.7/4.0
Exchange to UC Davis in 2010, Dean's List Award
Research: Interned at UC Davis Research Center, currently working as research scholar in Uni Melbourne. </p>
<ul>
<li>UC Merced mechanical engineering PhD with GSR/TA funding</li>
<li>U Michigan Ann Arbor nuclear engineering MS without funding</li>
<li>UC Santa Barbara mechanical engineering MS without funding</li>
</ul>
<p>I just need someone to give me some opinion on my situation. I have the ability to fund myself for a year in MS, or probably the entire MS if I get to work as TA or help out in research. I am interested in all the programs above, so basically any program in the above schools would fit me. </p>
<p>One part of me wanted to attend UC Merced, because I have nothing to lose, and I am going there for free, so I thought why not try it out and take some classes, which would help anyway if I decided to leave there. Besides, the professor at UCM seem to be very interested in me and he has lots of funding which will secure my PhD funding. </p>
<p>But then, UCM is unranked and comparatively less reputable than the other two schools. If I attend the other two schools, I would be spending some money, and there's a question of whether I could secure an offer with funding for PhD too, as an international student.</p>
<p>Really, at the end of the day, I don't mind where my PhD is from, I just want to secure a good job in R&D industry or even academics upon graduation. So, if anyone knows about the quality and reputation of UCMerced PhD graduates for job hunting please let me know. I need to tell all of them very very soon, infact I am already late, so I would appreciate if anyone could help me out here.</p>
<p>Much thanks.</p>