UCSD
Pros:
- UC name recognition
- Nice area/weather
- Excellent engineering program
Cons:
- Pressure of switching into the school of engineering
- too much competition with a higher population? (eg. harder to get classes)
SLO
Pros:
- admitted directly to major if spots are open w/waitlist
- fewer students, easier access to professors
- supposedly more hands-on
- cheaper
Cons:
- kinda in the middle of nowhere/no big cities nearby
- CSU name maybe a negative? + possibly less job/recruitment opportunities
My initial choice was to commit to SD but I’ve heard that it’s quite difficult to transfer from Undeclared to basically any STEM Major. Obviously I still need to actually get into SLO but I was just thinking of this situation hypothetically for the future. I’ve also gotten into CU Boulder and Stevens Institute of Tech for ME but as of now, I’ve pretty much ruled those choices out. In-state BTW.
You have 3 choices at the moment. UCSD undeclared, CU Boulder or Stevens Institute. SLO is not an option for now and you need to commit to one of these colleges before May 1 unless they extend the deadline or you are admitted off the waitlist.
You need to decide what is more important the major or the school? Would you be happy at UCSD in another major?
You have no in-state safety schools? Other Cal states?
Are CU Boulder and Stevens affordable? Did you get into your major at CU Boulder?
Getting into mechanical engineering after enrolling undeclared at UCSD is a competitive process: http://maeweb.ucsd.edu/undergrad/ugadmissions . Since the past GPA thresholds are not listed, contact the department directly to find out.
CPSLO waitlist, like all waitlists, should be expected to end up as rejection, though it can be a pleasant surprise if you do get admitted.
You have another option: start at a community college, do well there, and then apply to transfer as a junior to UCs and CSUs that have mechanical engineering.
I am looking at those schools. Would you share your stats?