<p>Hi, as a senior, I have been debating over the past few years about going into either engineering or math. I think I've decided that I want to go into simply math, but for someone who enjoys both math and physics, do you think I should consider engineering? </p>
<p>Also, at Princeton would the admissions process for bse either benefit or set me back more than the ab application would? I am a female and at the end of this year I will have completed multivariable calculus for college credits, linear algebra/differential equations, and AP Physics.</p>
<p>For some schools I have heard that being female can help me get into an engineering program, is this also true for mathematics, since I believe that too is a male-dominated field?</p>
<p>Also, in your opinion, which engineering field is best for someone who enjoys math and physics? I was thinking about either electrical or mechanical.</p>
<p>Sorry this is all over the place, just a few questions I have that are kind of related.</p>
<p>Some universities require students to apply to either the engineering school or the college of liberal arts. Princeton accepts students into the university and students can easily transfer in to or out of engineering. The entering freshman engineering class is 40% to 45% female so Princeton is attracting many well qualified female engineers. Instead of attempting to game admissions by applying to a specific department show enthusiasm for the area you want to study.</p>
<p>The best engineering schools tend to very strong in theory which means the courses are taught using advanced mathematics. IMHO both electrical engineering and ORFE [About</a> ORFE | Operations Research and Financial Engineering](<a href=“http://orfe.princeton.edu/]About”>http://orfe.princeton.edu/) will require substantial math. The Mathematics Department at Princeton has many theory courses while the ORFE is applied math. You might also be interested in the Engineering Physics certificate. [Engineering</a> Physics](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/EngineeringPhysics/]Engineering”>Engineering Physics Certificate Program) At Princeton you could take a mixture of math and physics courses your freshman year and then decide where you want to concentrate. </p>
<p>PtonAlumnus, when you say transferring into or out of engineering is easy, how easy is that? Do you know if almost all people who request a switch are able to?</p>
<p>My son is a BSE student at Princeton. It is easy to transfer into engineering IF you have the required courses to do so. You must be able to start at MAT 103 and PHY 103 at a minimum (calculus 1 and physics 1). To be successful the candidate will need a high school calculus and a senior physics. All that is required is approval from your academic advisor and the ENG department. This can happen during course selection right at the beginning of first year.</p>
<p>After first year transferring becomes more complicated as there are a large number of required courses for first year BSE. It is not impossible but extremely challenging. First year BSE students take MAT 103/104, CHM, PHY 103/104, COS 126, writing sem, and two electives (a total of 9 courses). Most AB students take only 8 courses first year so there is also the factor of being one course behind if making the change from AB to BSE after first year. </p>
<p>If you have AP AB or BC math you can place out of the first MAT courses and go straight into MAT 104 or multivariable calculus. Be cautious however since the AP courses are not nearly as in depth as Princeton courses are. The best idea is to work some of the previous years’ final exams (do them - don’t just read them) to see where you should place and discuss the results with your academic advisor. They really do want you where you should be but they also want you to succeed so I would heed their advice. </p>
<p>One more thing about transferring between AB and BSE - if you decide to go from BSE to AB you will need to consider the foreign language component - all Princeton AB graduates are required to achieve a designated level of proficiency in a foreign language to graduate. But changing departments is definitely possible. </p>
<p>Females are sought in all STEM areas at Princeton - I would encourage you to simply apply where you are most interested. For someone who likes math and physics, you may want to consider MAE or CEE. ELE tends to be a lot of computer programming.</p>
<p>Cantiger, thank you SO much for your in-depth response! really helpful. If I do happen to be extremely lucky and somehow get into Princeton your advice will definitely pay off in helping me decide what courses to take freshman year.</p>