<p>I have a very hard decision to make whether to be in MESA(Mathematics Engineering Science Acheivement) or the Academic Decathlon, which one will look better in my UCLA application?</p>
<p>Why do you have to choose one over the other?</p>
<p>The [U.S</a>. Academic Decathlon](<a href=“http://www.usad.org/]U.S”>http://www.usad.org/) would probably be considered more prestigious sounding to those who are into looking prestigious.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://mesa.ucop.edu/]MESA[/url”>http://mesa.ucop.edu/]MESA[/url</a>] is more for students considered educationally disadvantaged so that they can excel in math and science and graduate with math-based degrees.</p>
<p>If the only reason why you want to participate in one of these is how prestigious it will look on a college app, then don’t choose MESA. Leave that program for students who can truly get value from participating in it.</p>
<p>Though there is some friendly competition in MESA, it is not a national competition like Academic Decathlon.</p>
<p>if you’re a historically underrepresented minority or reside in a community where the education system isnt that great, then participation in MESA might be taken into account by the UC adcoms, who like to see URMs and educationally disadvantaged students who are successful in such outreach/enrichment programs. </p>
<p>but also think about your career interests. if you’re science or math oriented, consider MESA. </p>
<p>usually academic decathlon looks better on a college application though.</p>