I ran recruiting at SpaceX for almost 6 years; everything about how they recruit is part of the footprint myself and my team created - so hopefully you'll find this input helpful, though it will only magnify the challenge that lies before you.

SpaceX aggressively pursues top collegiate talent; but because the hiring bar (mandate per Elon) is top 1% of the human population - we focus on top ranked engineering programs because their strict acceptance requirements are a good prefilter and remove 90% of the bell curve, thereby automatically bringing us to about top 10% of the college population; making our haystack much smaller and thus easier to find the proverbial needles.

Once within the top program populations we again filter aggressively based on:

1. Hands on hardware/software development exp - i.e. What problems have you actually encountered and solved?

2. Experience with engineering competitions, and placement in top positions/ brackets at those competitions

3. GPA/ SAT - other hard scores

4. Drive/ Grit

The reality is that SpaceX makes some of the most magnificent machines on the planet (and beyond - yes, pun intended :). So the worlds best engineers want to work there. That paired with what I've already stated means there is both an ability and a necessity to only hire people after they have in some way demonstrated themselves to be truly exceptional.

So - again, do not underestimate the challenge that lies before you.

That said- where there is a will, there is a way.

Here are some things which you can consider:

One exposure/ access point for SpaceX that is outside of the top schools is the FSAE competition in Michigan each year. FSAE draws teams from many different schools, and the teams basically design and build a race car from scratch.

It's an amazing event; and SpaceX uses the event to pick up some of the best gearheads in the country. More than anything else, mechanical engineers are recruited from this event for the structures design team.

The focus is usually on vehicle chief engineers from winning teams, as they tend to be the best engineer on each team- but we have found talented people in a variety of roles within the teams.

If your school has an FSAE team - join it; if it doesn't, try to start one.

You need to spend as much time as possible building real things- all schools have teams/clubs of some sort. Look for learning opportunities in robotics, mechatronics, rocket clubs, or others.

Additionally, you mentioned an interest in propulsion; without a sophisticated rocket propulsion lab (like the one that Purdue has) it's nearly impossible to compete with the guys in this department. If your school lacks these kinds of resources, and you can't find them/ access them within your vicinity - I'd suggest focusing on structural design or other aspects of mechanical engineering. Figure out what your school is good at, maybe track down the best professor, and see if you can align that with your interests.

Another suggestion would be to become a mentor for US FIRST Robotics; it's an organization the engineering community respects and another opportunity to actually build systems with requirements.

The good thing is you're being smart enough to ask questions; so keep doing that.

And spend the next 4 years trying to do everything you can to demonstrate you are an exceptional engineer and then when you apply don't include just a resume; add pictures/portfolio or videos or your work, get reference letters, etc.

Your application needs to catch the attention of recruiters who are looking for MIT 5.0's - it needs to shine through the Ivy League flood of applications.

But if you have videos of badass projects you have built - you CAN shine through.

If you don't shine through in year one, apply for internships at other cool companies; getting other good brands on your resume will help you. So try each year but also apply elsewhere so if you don't make it you're still continuing to build your track record so you can eventually stake your claim in the 1%.

In terms of teaching yourself- YES! You need to devour everything having to do with building hardware for space. Remember Elon taught himself rocket science from books.

Finally, reach out to people within your network who can introduce you to engineers who work there today- developing personal connections which can today provide advice and may someday be able to provide a personal reference gives you the best shortcut through the noise. SpaceX like most tech companies loves employee referrals.

Good luck!