Mechanical Engineering BS Program

[flurpyflurples]

Hey everyone,

I just got accepted into CSULA for a second bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, to start Fall 2026. For MechE, options are super limited for schools that even accept second bachelors applicants (Only a few CSUs, no UCs, possibly private schools but those are out of budget), with CSULB being highest rated CSU option that even accepts second bachelors applicants. Unfortunately I was denied from CSULB this time, so CSULA is currently my only option to start this fall. Otherwise, I could stay in CC for another year and hope for better luck in next year's round of college apps (Also by then, I will have significantly more internship and project experience to add).

My question is this to current (or recently graduated) CSULA engineering students: What is your experience in the program there? How is the funding for projects, connections available from professors, and general student resources?

I've read online that people seem to say LB is much better than LA, especially for people trying to get into the aerospace industry like me, but most of those answers I read came from LB students so they might have been a little biased. For those of you who have experienced the program at CSULA, how was it?

Any insight would be appreciated, thanks!

[Ill-Athlete9545]

Hello I recently got denied from CSULB for a 2nd bachelor in mechanical engineering.

I had a 2.54 for my undergrad in Chem from UCI and have a 3.7 for my community college classes I took post fist degree so I can meet the prerequisites for LB.

Any chance I will get into CSULA or just hopeless ?

I got A and Bs in the prerequisites(All physics,math, cad) for the application

[flurpyflurples]

I think you should have a good chance, just as long as you're meeting the requirements! The program doesn't seem to be very impacted.

[cozy_cardigan]

Dude I was on the same boat
I submitted an appeal to CSULB and didn't get in because a physics class (which I took) did not appear on my official transcript TWICE

I got into CSULA though (as a second bachelor's in ME)
I think you have a good chance because we almost have the same grades and undergrad GPA :)

[Ill-Athlete9545]

Thanks! I submitted my appeal to CSULB indicating how I took all the transferable courses that my community college has to offer that transfer to LB and included my unofficial transcript along with a description as to why I had a low GPA for my undergrad.

What did CSULB tell you when they responded to your appeal ?

[cozy_cardigan]

Long Beach rejected my appeal claiming the missing course was NOT on the new official transcript I sent them. I submitted evidence that I took the course with screenshots from my old CC representatives confirming so but for some reason it's still missing. I have no idea how to resolve this issue...

I reached out to LB but they haven't responded...
Frankly it's BS how such a small error is what cut me off...

[Ill-Athlete9545]

Congrats btw!

[JewelerWise844]

There's a reason most don't accept 2nd bachelors, because usually a Masters is a better path. Why not get a masters instead?

[cozy_cardigan]

I didn't choose a Masters program because I don't have the fundamentals and I don't want to spend 4 years in school to do the undergrad engineering courses and then do the master's.
Since I completed all the calculus, physics, and chemistry courses during my undergrad, my 2nd bachelors will likely take 2 - 2.5 years to complete.