UCLA, UC Davis, or Cal Poly Slo for Mechanical Engineering?

<p>I am deciding between the three for mechanical engineering. I am leaning towards UC Davis because they are less cutthroat than the other two (not sure though), and they have minors such as Energy Efficiency or Energy Science & Technology for engineering majors. I believe UCLA does not have these types of minors, and I want to do something environmentally oriented while in college. UCLA does have the prestige, but I did not apply as a mech eng major, so how hard would it be to transfer into the college of engineering? Also, I noticed that to graduate from UCD, I would need to complete 161 units whereas at UCLA I would need to complete 185 units. So, any advice on any of the three schools would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>If you’re not already in HSSEAS-UCLA, then it would be relatively hard to transfer in. Engineering is cutthroat in general, so expect competition wherever you go. Choose your best fit by factoring in cost, location, prestige,etc. All three schools are equally good and equally bad. Good for engineering, bad for competition. Engineering is hard.</p>

<p>I think you should check with those schools about transferring into engineering. They make it hard on purpose. They want students getting into eng as applicants, not getting into the school from a lighter major then moving. Transferring within engineering not hard, to engineering, difficult at the UCs and Cal Poly for sure. Find out the criteria and how long you have to wait to do it. Cause the longer it takes to transfer, the more behind you get cause you start engineering classes right away at all of them.</p>

<p>You have to maintain a 3.5 GPA in the base engineering classes (like calculus) for a quarter or two and then they will let you in. Engineering is hard everywhere but most def it is harder at ucla. I would go to UC Davis if you are 100% set on engineering and you don’t need the prestige.</p>

<p>UCLA has a minor in Environmental Engineering if that’s what you’re interested in. You don’t need to be a HSSEAS major to pursue that minor.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses!</p>

<p>Anyone transfer into UCLA engineering and can comment on how hard the process is?</p>

<p>Also, how does the job market look for mechanical engineers? Will I have any problems finding a job in the LA or SF area if I go to UC Davis and major in mech eng? I probably don’t want to stay in the Sacramento Area after college.</p>

<p>To change majors to Engineering from Letters & Science, you need to wait at least 2 quarters and in those two quarters you need to take at least 2 of the required courses that Engineers take (Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B) as well as 2 of the “major prep” courses required for that major (usually some combination of Chem 20A, 20B, 20L, Physics 1A, 1B). You must have a 3.5 GPA in the math and major prep courses for them to consider you.</p>

<p>If you don’t have the 3.5, you won’t get in. If you do have the 3.5, it will depend on how much room is in the major you are applying to. </p>

<p>The “process” is simple. The hard part is that you need to get a 3.5.</p>