Wow. Very impressive. Nice work.


Now the questions:

1.) The skill levels range from never having seen a wrench before to having worked in machine/fab shops. Most of the freshmen that come in (to my experience) fall closer to the former than the latter. The more experience you have in that kind of stuff, the sooner you can jump right in and help out, but it isn't required in order to join an SAE team. Where you're at now with your skills it sounds as if you've got a MASSIVE jump on most of the incoming students.

2.) Occasionally, but not really that I know of (at least not here). There are some that are given to SAE students if you can find them though.

3.) Yes. Especially in companies that deal with racing. Most of them will immediately toss your resume if you don't have experience on an SAE team. It also helps with answering canned interview questions ("Please describe a time you overcame adversity to succeed with a goal.")

4.) Check out http://www.kettering.edu

EDIT: One more word of wisdom that I forgot somehow that you probably already know: Read the Rules.