I plan on majoring in chemical engineering
However i don’t think I am smart enough.
I got A’s in AP Calc, but B’s in chemistry Honors and AP.
I got a 5 on the AP Calc AB exam and 3 on Chem.
I also got 750 on Math2 and 720 on Chem.
I feel like I am also bad at physics too.
However i am willing to study in college,
Do you guys think i am cut out for chemical engineering? be honest.
Math, physics, and chemistry are all important for ChemE. Your Calc AB grades/score are great. Have you taken physics? How did you do in it?
no
but i tried learning it and it was super hard
A 3 on the Chemistry AP is not bad. You have to realize that Chem E is difficult for everyone compared to most majors. You can succeed if you are willing to work hard.
Only you can decide whether the effort is worth it and whether you are willing to make that effort.
Actually, you only need elementary knowledges of physics in Chem. E because Chem E is not about throwing numbers in complicated physics/chemistry equation. It’s more about manipulating the system of transport/flow/production to optimal range using basic chemistry and physics knowledge.
That said, calculus and differential equation are very important in Chem E.
so even if do average in high shcool, i cna improve a lot in college right?
Anyone can improve, but don’t expect a huge jump from your high school GPA unless you are working at improving your study skills or using a tutor or something. It won’t happen by itself.
You do not need straight - A’s to complete a major, though. C’s also get degrees.
but most jobs require like 3.0’s or 3.5s and some internships
so how hard is to get atleast 3.0-3.5?
Side note: at schools (like mine) where you start in pre-engineering, C’s may not get you into your major when you apply after your first or second year.
I would estimate that for the average student, 3.5+ will require a lot of effort and dedication. 3.0+ should be achievable. Neither will be “easy,” but hard work is par for the course in engineering anyway.
Of course, there are always people who get 3.5+ easily and others who couldn’t get a 3.0+ no matter how much they try, but only you know where you might fall on that spectrum.
what school is yours?
also do UC’s and CSUs do pre-engineering
Penn State, which I’m guessing probably isn’t on your list of schools, but it’s something to look out for at other schools too.
@Gumbymom Can you speak to how students apply for / enter their major at UCs and CSUs?
CSU’s admit by major and the UC’s College of Engineering admit by major. My advice is if you have a preferred Engineering major, then apply directly for that major.
Some schools like UCSD in which have all their Engineering majors are capped (impacted), you need to apply to your 1st choice major and then select a non-capped alternate major. Also UCSD admits into the university first, then into the major (UCI admits the same way), so it is possible to get into the university but not in your preferred major or as Undeclared. UCSC will admit high stat applicants directly into their preferred Engineering major while most applicants are admitted into the university, have to take some pre-req courses with passing grades and then can declare their Engineering major.
Each school will give you details on how to change majors on their website. Some have high GPA requirements but switching majors within the same College i.e. College of Engineering is much easier than between Colleges or as Undeclared.
SDSU is one school where all admits are placed into a “Pre-Major” where you have to complete specific major requirements with a specific GPA before officially being placed into the major and allowed to take upper division courses.
how about both Cal Poly’s, UCSB, UCLA, UCI, UCD, and UCR
also for most of these colleges, there are no unimpacted majors that i like.
what should i put for alternative?
For UCLA to be considered for engineering your first choice major must be engineering. Your second choice major must also be in engineering. This ensures that they “may” consider you for an alt major but this is unlikely. Checking another non HSSEAS major means they won’t even look at it. HSSEAS admits separately from normal undergraduate admissions.
so i shouldnt put like MatE for my primary and Bio for secondary? is that bad.?
@SREE33 gosh I literally answered that. I was very explicit. If you choose Engineering as your primary I said your alt has to be in engineering otherwise they won’t even consider it. Choosing another Engineering as the alt just means they may look at it. You have to be fully committed to engineering
is this only for UCLA
how bout other UC’s?
UC’s that Do Not consider alternate majors: UCB, UCLA, UCSC (but they do not admit by major)
UC’s that may consider alternate majors: UCD, UCI, UCM, UCSB, (UCSD-recommended if applying to a capped major)
UC’s that DO consider alternate majors: UCR
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/freshman-admission-matrix.pdf
so for UCLA is it better that i apply chemE and MSE alterante or vice versa.
Materials is less competitive for admission i heard so i have better chance of getting in.
So if i switch my two majors around will it affect anything, or is one better?
i am interested in both fields so i will decide the major thats best for me duirng college. Hopefully switching from one engineerign major to another isnt hard.
Changing majors varies from school to school. Google change of major policies at the schools you’re interested in.
Also, you probably already know this, but Cal Poly doesn’t offer Chem E.