<p>I wanted to go for mechanical engineering in Berkeley, but after hearing about the infamous competition that goes on there, I am kind of drawing back on my decision. The reason I chose engineering was simply because it's in the area that I suck the least at. I am not at all close to being gifted in math and science, but I have always loved what we learn in science classes, particularly physics. My grades in all of math and science classes have always been above average, but never at the top. In my Calc BC class, there are only 3 A's, 7 B's, and 8 C's and below. I am one of the B students (currently 86%). In my Physics B class last year, I'd always oscillated between A- and B and there were about 4 A's in the class of 25. I was usually among the majority of the people who were befuddled by the AP practice questions, while the particular few prodigies drill through them with breeze. I am sorry for the ranting, but I am really worried right now and I need to make my final decision ASAP. My dad is saying that it's better for me to try to be above average in a not so engineering focused school (USC or UCLA) than to be at the bottom of the herd in Berkeley. Also, I am pretty sure I will advance to get my master later on, and if I end up with really bad grades in Berkeley, I doubt I'll get into a good graduate school.
Guys, I need your advice, should I go to Berkeley or not?</p>
<p>Does your high school have grade inflation? Do you know the API score of your high school?</p>
<p>I doubt you will see a difference in the engineering classes at those three schools.
I'd advise choosing the right school for you first, then thinking about a major that is the right fit. You will know within a semester how things are going in your intro classes.</p>
<p>My school is just above average. Here is the API report for my school. 2007</a> Growth API School Report - Wilson (Glen A.) High
But the Calc BC class I'm in is known to be one of the hardest classes to take on campus.</p>
<p>Ok I kind of agree with your dad. 2 data points for you to consider.</p>
<p>Student A, Korean, got into UCB with a bio program from a high school with API 786, high school GPA was 4.33. Graduated with a bio degree from UCB with 2.88 GPA. He also suffered depression with his self-esteem to the bottom. His dream of going to medical school is shot.</p>
<p>Student B, Indian, got into UCB with a bioengineering program from a high school with API 932(top 4 in CA). His high school GPA was 4.04. His first year GPA has a mixture of mostly As and a few Bs. He told his mom, his high school did not prepare him enough. He did not have time to eat, bone thin(and he was bone thin to start out with). I don't know what kind of GPA he graduated with. </p>
<p>And from all the kids that came back to visit my daughter's sport team, they all said people at UCB study all the time.</p>
<p>So if you pick this major because it's the subject you dislike the most then you might have a problem with UCB. But the most difficult major at UCB is EECS, not sure about mechanical engineering.</p>
<p>That is very intimidating. However, compared to USC or UCLA's engineering program, particularly ME, how much harder and BETTER is it in Berkeley? Also, ME is something I'm interested in to start with. Most people don't graduate with the majors they went in with anyway.</p>
<p>My high school is considered one of the best public high schools in CA when an API of around 900. We send around 50 kids to Berkeley each year and mostly everyone says that Berkeley is basically the same exact thing as high school and they all tend to do really well there, even the EECS majors.</p>
<p>^Troy High school? I've read on CC one kid from there got Cs in high school but top marks( like A) at UCLA engineering proram. I think kids from magnet program tends to do well.</p>
<p>Ah... Troy <-- ominous glow</p>
<p>Out of 6 people I know who got A in Cal BC and 5 on the AP exam, 2 got A- in multivariable Calculus at Berkeley, the rest got B's and they said they studied a lot harder than when they were in high school.</p>
<p>EECS, especially 150, 152, you can easily stay in the lab the entire week.</p>
<p>The schedule would be something like this
10am, skip all lectures, go directly to 122 Cory, work all day, go out to get something to eat, come back, work all night, go home at 8am, shower, rinse and repeat.</p>
<p>Where does the bed time go? 2 hrs of sleep every day? That's suicide!
Also, anything about ME?</p>
<p>EECS is not the same animal as ME. My daughter is going to Cal for ME. Any engineering program will be time consuming, but EECS is the most competitive and time involved. It will be true anywhere you go for engineering. Also, don't let the low gpa in college scare you as this is the norm in engineering where the average is around 2.7-2.8. I don't think it will be any easier at UCLA or USC. This seems to be normal.</p>
<p>My advice is irregardless of the school, you have to want engineering to do engineering. Otherwise, it will take alot to make it through any program. Especially when you see your buddies going out to parties and you have to do labs or projects.</p>
<p>I have never had a really extensive social life anyways, so doing school works while others are out partying does not bother me. My concern is that what if I try my hardest and still get really low grades in the end, I'll be really depressed. Also, in order to get a slightly above average grade for a Berkeley ME major, will it be necessary to sleep only a couple of hours every day, have no time to eat, and studies the whole time? I'm overweight and I would be more than glad to lose several pounds. But if that is the long-term life style and going to Berkeley becomes a health hazard, then I don't know if that'll be worth it.</p>
<p>Ahhh....Troy high! Represent 2008 baby!!!!</p>
<p>WOOT WOOT!</p>
<p>I digress....</p>
<p>anyways, engineering is one of those majors that
will kick your ass if you're not passionate about it.
Just go into berkeley for a semester and feel it out,
then see if the major is right for you. It's more about
the major than the college, because if you love what
you're doing it won't matter if it kicks your ass.</p>
<p>maybe a more business-oriented study like being an
actuary? Or getting a minor? Research more and find
what is right for you.</p>
<p>Personally, when I went to LEAD summer business program
and an MBA level Econ class, my mind was BLOOOOWN
away. NOTHING like the high school class. I loved every
moment of it. Trust me, you'll find something.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Where does the bed time go? 2 hrs of sleep every day? That's suicide!
Also, anything about ME?
[/quote]
You are in luck because you get to have a partner for EECS 150, 2 or 3 for 152. While they debug, you can nap a little. This, however, will come back to you when students evaluate their partners at the end. I know someone who had higher midterm & final scores, but scored lower on the peer evaluation ended up getting lower grade than the other people in the group for 152.</p>
<p>goto USC. Your dad is right, a 2.8 at Berkeley is going to be hard, and at the end is not going to impress anyone in grad school over say... a 3.3 from USC--> assuming that you can get a 3.3 at USC.</p>
<p>I tend to agree with Keefer and vote for USC. But, you need to consider your individual case (which you seem to be doing). If you love Berkeley, go for it. You are right that many people change majors. Also consider personality. Some people need chill time, some don't. Some are increasing in maturity and mental ability, while others (very sad to say) are burned out already and are not. Some people really focus on the grades. Others are not bothered by a bunch of Bs and Cs if they feel that they are learning, progressing, and growing.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Also, in order to get a slightly above average grade for a Berkeley ME major, will it be necessary to sleep only a couple of hours every day, have no time to eat, and studies the whole time? I'm overweight and I would be more than glad to lose several pounds. But if that is the long-term life style and going to Berkeley becomes a health hazard, then I don't know if that'll be worth it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't think you should worry about never sleeping or any of that jazz. Generally the people that never get sleep either have extremely poor time management skills or are involved in thirty million activities (by choice). Also, exercise is a great way to relax at the end of the day and clear your mind for when you need to do problem sets. I know a bunch of my friends and myself were getting frustrated recently, so we all took up racquetball together. I've found it to be a great way to unwind at the end of a long day of sitting in my office doing work.</p>
<p>Could you guys rank the difficulty level of getting a > 3.0 GPA in ME or engineering in general from 1 to 10, 10 being the most difficult.
USC:
UCLA:
UCB:</p>
<p>If you get a BS degree in mechanical engineering, keep in mind it's more of a terminal degree...you'll be able to get a very good paying entry-level engineering job with the BS...an MS in engineering does not pay you much more, and after 5 years work experience the difference in pay is neglible. Engineers are in great demand, a 2.8 is not going to kill you for engineering jobs - it may for top grad schools.</p>
<p>Is Berkeley engineering tough? Yes. But, if you have the discipline you can do it. Keep in mind, that Berkeley engineering requires all frosh to graduate in 4 years. </p>
<p>I was a chemical engineering major at Cal and had plenty of time for extra curriculars and socializing with my friends. It wasn't all study.</p>
<p>Will UCLA and USC be easier for you? Maybe. I don't know, since it's a rare person that has taken classes at all three to make a comparison - and all classes are different.</p>
<p>Choose the environment you like better...USC/UCLA vs. Berkeley are different in terms of the type of environment each can provide you...visit each and go where you're most comfortable and "click" with. Are you more comfortable in the Socal environment where you will be closer to family/friends or do you want to spread your wings and go away to college? </p>
<p>I would not choose Berkeley if you cannot make a physical visit before deciding - it's very important that you visit, IMHO.</p>