<p>Good info thread. Thanks for posting.</p>
<p>Nice article. I think that 3-2 engineering programs are a great option, and they are becoming more prevalent. Incidentally, if you’re in the Northeast, you might consider this program from Gordon College in Massachusetts - they have an excellent program:</p>
<p>[Christian</a> College Physics and Engineering Program - Gordon College](<a href=“http://www.gordon.edu/academics/physics]Christian”>Physics B.A./B.S. - Gordon College)</p>
<p>Now that it is three years later…</p>
<p>I finished my BA in math, and will be going to Columbia in the fall for computer engineering. I am one of the few people from my school who when I started out three years, is actually going to Columbia. All the kids I met my freshmen year who wanted to do the program ended up not doing it. </p>
<p>It takes a lot of planning, and you have to make sure every course you take counts for something, otherwise you won’t be able to graduate in three years. </p>
<p>We’ll see how the “2” part plays out. Who knows maybe someone will revive this thread in another two years.</p>
<p>Congratulations. Hail Columbia!!!</p>
<p>Would anyone say that using this program as a “backdoor” to getting an ivy league degree is a good idea? Many of the partnered Liberal Arts schools are nowhere near as selective as some of the top engineering programs. Would it be worth doing this or just going to a less selective engineering school and banging a degree out in 4 years?</p>
<p>Should a 3-2 program absolutely be ruled out if planning on going to grad school?</p>
<p>The problem is in planning the move to an Ivy; there’s no assurance of admittance.</p>
<p>You should do a 3-2 program only if you want both degrees. Then you do grad school if you want to. IMHO.</p>
<p>I’m a Junior in high school who plans on doing engineering in college. I just learned about these 3-2 programs today at a college fair. It’s been almost 2 years since the last post, and I was just wondering if there was anyone out there who has completed the program or is currently in it, and if they could tell me anything that hasn’t been said in this post, and also whether you would recommend me doing this?</p>
<p>Heh. This thread has pretty much chronicled my 3-2 experience from high school until now, 5 years later. I’m in my last semester at Columbia as a 3-2 student and should be graduating this year with a BS in computer engineering. I got my BA in math last year from Clark University after transferring some credits back from my first semester at Columbia.</p>
<p>Looking back, I think the program was worth it. I am amazed at the number of courses I have taken in math, physics, engineering, and cs, and have learned a lot. What I gained by doing the 3-2 program is access to resources and opportunities I would not have otherwise had. </p>
<p>Whether or not you should do it depends on what you want to do. I have a use for both my math degree and computer engineering degree and will be taking some time off from school to work before going to grad school for a phd in math.</p>
<p>There are numerous threads about 3/2 programs here on CC. Check them out.
What I’ll add is that some students do change their minds and decide not to continue on to the Engineering School. Understandable, since some are reluctant to leave the comfort of their liberal arts college, while others end up questioning the value of having two bachelor’s degrees. For some, the 3/2 is worthwhile and it works out fine.</p>
<p>What you might want to add to your consideration is earning your BA/BS in a math/science field and then apply to graduate school for a master’s in Engineering. Such a plan might not be possible with Computer Engineering, but for Chemical and Mechanical graduate programs, it’s certainly possible. On CC there have been comments from Physics, Math and Chemistry majors who completed this route.</p>
<p>Could you direct me to some of the other threads? I’ve searched for other threads related to 3/2 programs and comments from others who have completed this route but alwayscome up with the same couple thread. Thanks. Also, does anyone here know of anyone who has gone to WUSTL to complete this? WUSTL has numerous affiliations and seems to support this program quite well.</p>
<p>That’s an entire year of opportunity cost that you’re missing out on. While a student at an engineering focused school is taking relevant courses and getting crucial internships during the first 3 years, the student at 3-2 is still getting his general education requirements done. </p>
<p>I just don’t think an extra BA is worth it other than personal satisfaction. I’m an engineering student with interests multiple areas, I pursue them on my own outside my classes/take a class or two every semester outside my major.</p>
<p>If the cost of the fifth year is not as issue (including no debt incurred) what better reason is there than personal satisfaction? Maybe even better employability???</p>
<p>I am doing the 3-2 in mech. engineering. Well not exactly but the same principle. I finished my liberal arts degree in high school and transferred to a state school were most of my contemporaries are also liberal arts transfers. </p>
<p>The good:
Your ahead of the game financially and with Dual Enrollment maybe even ahead in time. I am a good year younger than any of the other students. </p>
<p>Liberal arts college professors are actual professors not researchers. I learned a lot there and recommend it to anyone. </p>
<p>The Bad:
Because I lived at home while getting my liberal arts degree I didn’t have any living experience. Learning to live outside the home is difficult and you don’t get a chance to screw up in easy classes. This hurt my GPA substantially. I have started to recover though and I will finish strong. </p>
<p>As far as engineering goes. It is all hard. Even smart people have to use their time wisely. Pick your engineering based on what sciences you were good at and liked.</p>
<p>If you are good with:
Physics 1: consider Mech Engineering
The solids part of General Chemistry: Consider Materials engineering
The fluids part of General Chemistry: Consider Chem, Bio, or Aero engineering
Physics 2: consider Electrical Engineering
Programming: consider Computer Engineering
Nothing: Civil or Industrial… Just kidding, but civil and industrial require you to be exceptional at nothing but good at everything so keep that in mind.</p>
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<p>You’d better hope that structural engineers are exceptional at what they do, because there is not a lot of room for error. See this article for an example of what happens when a structural engineers screws up: [Hyatt</a> Regency walkway collapse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collapse]Hyatt”>Hyatt Regency walkway collapse - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Yes, what a bone-headed statement about civil engineers in post no. 33.</p>
<p>I really doubt first year/AP courses would be a plausible indicator to ones future profession.</p>
<p>Some of the Us we visited for S had 3-2 programs. We heard several say how hard it was to leave friends after 3 years, for what wold have been SR year. S chose to start in an engineering program at a large U. It was a great choice for him. There were very few non-engineering electives he was allowed in his 4-year EE program and I’m very glad he didn’t try compressing it into just two years.</p>
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<p>Engineering degree programs typically require about 25% math and science, and 20-25% humanities and social studies breadth electives. Is that “very few”?</p>
<p>Since you did mention elsewhere that he repeated a lot of AP credit, that meant foregoing the opportunity to take free electives in place of the AP credit.</p>
<p>Someone I know (who only had decent HS stats) successfully transferred into the Columbia engineering program. Helps put a shiny name brand before you graduate. I hope to do the same with my engineering degree, but for different reasons.</p>
<p>This thread is ancient. The OP should review the numerous prior threads on this topic or start a new one.</p>