Hello,
I will be attending UMich COE for Biomedical Engineering(May switch to Electrical or Computer later) and I was wondering if anybody had any advise or warning or just general tips to succeed(I’m a first generation college kid). Somethings I was wondering:
What are classes like? How about professors?
Homework load? How much do you study per week?
How hard are the classes generally(Is the physics similar to AP Physics)?
How hard is the material?
How approachable are the professors?
Research? What do you do(I’m not really sure what research is like with engineering)?
Also, any studying, time management tips?
Thanks so much!
You know you don’t declare major until at least in the second semester. For BME, there is a GPA requirement of 3.2 so I am not sure if you can declare before sophomore year. The Physics 140 and 240 are known to be tough. They would be certainly more challenging than AP Physics as they are semester courses while AP Physics is spreaded into a full year. For research opportunity, you may consider UROP.
Thanks! I’ll be sure to check it out!
The advisors at orientation will give you pretty good advice on classes - like don’t take too many hours first semester so you can figure out your study needs/habits and adjust as needed. My D (who’s friends with billcsho’s D!) has found most GSIs and professors to be accessible as needed. She utilizes some study groups, too. Can’t really say how much she studies, but she’s a double major (BME and music) and is keeping up with everything and still has time for fun. Of course all students are different, and find different subjects easier or harder than others…
FYI, as @billcsho points out, you need a 3.2 to declare BME. You also need to have completed at least one Calc class, one Calc-based Physics or Chem class, and your intro level engineering classes. That said, my D met with a BME advisor this semester (2nd semester freshman) and was able to declare even though she’s still in the midst of her last intro level engineering class.
Thanks! It’s nice to know it’s possible to handle a double major(I was thinking about a BME and Math double major). It’s nice that professors are accessible as well. Definitely going to have study group sessions!
I totally agree with @MomOf2TeenGirls. Don’t overwhelm yourself in the first semester. It is going to be a big change from high school. Also, take the time to explore different opportunities on campus. My D just finished her freshmen year this week. She has joined the BlueLab in the first semester and is now taking one of the leading positions. Her team is building a wind turbine for a local public school. So with a little bit lighter load in the first semester allowed her to get some training and past the test before she can use the machines in the shop. Engineering school can be very exciting and you can get some hand-on experience early on if you want to. You do need to have good discipline in studying if you do want to get good grades. And good GPA is essential to get internship positions.
Thanks! Yeah, I believe it is a big adjustment and cramming a ton of classes would hinder that. That’s wonderful that she’s getting hands on experience earlier on. Thanks!
On the other hand, decide for yourself what you want to take and how much you think you can handle. They treat everyone like they’re the dumbest person they’re seeing that day. If you’re confident you can handle more than they think you can handle, go for it. Don’t go crazy with it but don’t let them make you underestimate yourself. You’re the one paying for your education, your advisor isn’t.
Hmmm… That wasn’t my D’s experience at all. The advisors did generally encourage freshmen not to over schedule, but definitely took the individual into consideration. My D was fully supported by her advisor in registering for 19 hours because he felt she could handle it (which she did).
The advisor was helpful to my D too. Anyway, it is not easy to get everything fit on a schedule for freshmen. The more class you take, the more headache you will have. I guess if you don’t have much AP/IB/DE/CC credit, then you may have to take more classes from the beginning in order to save money.
Definitely “diversify your portfolio.” I just finished my second year of ChE with a 3.9, but the only real extracurricular I have had is 3 semesters worth of working as a research assistant (also in a social fraternity, but that’s not exactly something worth mentioning at an interview). I couldn’t find an internship this summer, which goes to show that GPA isn’t everything, so don’t stress it too much. Join a design team, a couple of clubs, etc. I’m definitely joining BlueLab next year (since I’m a PISE minor - look into it, it’s easy to pick up and super interesting!) and possibly a design team.
It is true that GPA isn’t anything, but with GPA below 3.5 or so, you don’t even have a chance to interview for many internship positions.
That’s true too! Although a 3.2 with a good resume is probably good enough to get your food in the door with most companies.
Thanks so much guys! I know I will join some clubs and choose as many classes as I can handle. Also, how does research work? Is it hard? And how difficult is it to keep up a good GPA?
The last question is hard to tell. As you know there are some with GPA ~2.0 while some are near 4.0.
Depends on what you consider a good GPA. Don’t let the others scare you thinking that if you end up with a 3.1 GPA you’re hopeless. Obviously it’s harder to get a higher GPA than a lower, but you’ll be fine as long as you put the effort in. You might not (and will probably not) end up with a 4.0, but there’s plenty of people who end up with 3.5+ GPAs, that’s really not uncommon at all.
I wouldn’t recommend a math double major. I tried to do this with my own engineering degree but at Michigan, the engineering and math departments are poorly integrated and there are very few classes that either department will accept from the other. You would also have to add on LSA general distribution credits that you have to take. This means you will have to take full 18 credit semester loads of difficult classes and add an additional 5th year to graduate. This isn’t worth the extra degree unless you really want it badly or have the aptitude to do it.
If you haven’t taken any computer science or programming classes in high school, I would recommend taking one at a community college (even if you don’t get credit) during the summer before you start your freshman year or self-study it. An intro C++ programming class is required for all engineering students. A lot of people run into trouble because programming can be a very difficult concept to grasp for first-time learners. Having prior knowledge puts you a mile ahead of everyone else.
@billcsho @Vladenschlutte Thanks! Somebody told me that it’s impossible to get anything above a 3.2 even if you study for it and that sort of scared me. It’s good to know it’s not impossible. I’m alright with a 3.5+!
@collegebound_guy Thanks for the heads up. I thought most of the math classes would overlap but thanks letting my know. Perhaps a minor in either math or computer science? I am taking APCS but I’m not super confident in it(our teacher wasn’t the best teacher) but I definitely will brush up over the summer! Thanks for the tip!