UCLA, BU, USC, Texas for Mechanical Engineering

[southpolesteve]

Hi Everyone. Looking for some assistance on selecting a school. I have applied to the following schools for a Master's in Mechanical Engineering:

UCLA - Admitted with no funding, but a great prof has agreed to work with me and seems excited about me coming there

USC - Admitted with no funding. Low on my list. I have heard several things from other USC eng students that have turned me off recently

Boston University - Admitted with 50% scholarship. I have also spoken to a prof here who seems willing to work with me. But less prestigious school than UCLA.

Texas - Still waiting to hear

For anyone interested

GRE, V:610, M:740

3.4 GPA from top 5 large public university

Very unique and meaningful research and work experience

Rejected at: MIT and CalTech

Edited March 20, 2010 by southpolesteve

[sciencegal]

Is it possible for you to find a TA position in another department or otherwise work out a way to get your way paid at UCLA? For example, there are some departments at my school that are always short on TAs and thus take them from other departments (ex, STAT department takes from other depts) as long as they are qualified. Likewise, if you have marketable skills (ex, data analysis) you could "cold-email" groups/centers you'd be interested in working for as an RA asking if they need anyone with skill set XYZ. I know a lot of people have had luck doing this, and then end up with tuition remission and a stipend. No guarantees it will work, of course, it's probably worth a shot!

I visited USC for a different program in math/science and was equally turned off by a lot of things the students told me. Including that I shouldn't attend, especially if I got into better schools (I mentioned those I had been admitted to). I did not end up applying to USC!

Edited March 21, 2010 by sciencegal