UCSD for MechE vs. Georgia Tech for BME

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So I got accepted to UCSD (John Muir) for my alternate choice of Mechanical Engineering instead of Biomedical Engineering. I also accepted to Georgia Tech for BME. Pros & cons of each are:</p>

<p>UCSD:
Pros are that I'm in state, so tuition is less, and it's only an hour away from home. Also, the social life is better, it's near the beach, better weather. Cons are that I didn't get accepted for BME, so I dunno if I can transfer into it.</p>

<p>GTech:
Pros are that I got accepted for BME, and since it's farther from home I get more of the independent college experience, and I get to experience a new place. Cons are that I have to pay full price, social life is supposedly worse, and do I even have to mention the guy to girl ratio?</p>

<p>If you guys could weigh in on this choice I would really appreciate it. Oh and I'm also on the waitlist at Cornell and Rice, and I'm appealing to UCLA and UC Berkeley. I'm hoping maybe for one of those, even though chances are slim. So I'm just gonna decide between one of these two.</p>

2

<p>Call one of the undergraduate advisors at UCSD [Bioengineering</a> Department | UC San Diego](<a href=“http://be.ucsd.edu/directory_student_affairs]Bioengineering”>http://be.ucsd.edu/directory_student_affairs) and ask them how difficult/likely it will be for you to get into the program you want. If it appears likely, then I think your decision is made. If not, then you need to think hard about how important that major is to you. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Agree with cltdad.</p>

4

<p>Ok thanks for the advice. I’ve been in contact with UCSD, and they said it’s possible to transfer into BME after your freshman year, but it’s difficult. I’m visiting both campuses before the May 1st deadline, and then I’ll make a decision.</p>

5

<p>Yeah I’m doing Biomedical too and I got waitlisted to UCSD, but they’re in the top 10 in the nation for BME, expect it to be tough.</p>

6

<p>What is your career goal?</p>

<p>What are your parents saying? Who will be paying the costs? Will there be debt? If so, how much?</p>

7

<p>I would not pay full freight for Georgia Tech when you have UCSD as an option.<br>
IMHO, mechanical engineering is the better major anyways…much more diverse range of potential employers after graduation vs. BME. Chemical engineering is also an option. It has really become an interdisciplinary major with biochemistry over recent years. </p>

<p>For engineering you want the cheapest, best program. For you that’s UCSD.</p>