<p>Looking at Princeton's application, they seem to treat those who apply for a BSE (engineering) differently than those who apply for a BS/BA. If I'm interested in both biology and math, would it be better (aka better chance at admissions) to apply for engineering or not?</p>
<p>Also, once at Princeton, how easy is it to switch into engineering or into the sciences? I really don't know right now which field I would like better, so a bit of flexibility would be nice. Thanks.</p>
<p>Sciences is different from engineering; you get B.A. if you major in sciences.</p>
<p>Does that mean that the science program is more "rounded"--more required courses from outside your major? I also assume that the differences between the programs makes switching difficult after sophomore year.</p>
<p>All I know is that prospective engineering applicants had to write an extra essay :P.</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>That was partly the reason why I applied to sciences, lol...</p>
<p>^^me too! (and put Mechanical Engineering as my second choice...though Mathematics really is my first choice anyway...so that wasn't a big deal)</p>
<p>Once you get here, switching either way is super easy. If you're an AB student interested in possibly becoming BSE though, be careful to take classes freshman year that fulfill SCEA requirements. These are one semester chemistry, two semesters physics, generally two semesters math, and you're encouraged to take computer science. If not, it's still possible to switch, you'll just have to do some make-up work. I have a friend who decided on Operations Research and Financial Engineering as a Junior and Princeton guided her through the whole way.</p>
<p>isn't it easier (relatively speaking) to get into the engineering school?</p>
<p>I would think it depends on what kind of person you are. For example, a person with high math/sci scores and awards in those areas would probably have an easier time getting in via engineering.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any numbers about acceptance rates in engineering vs. the sciences? I'm leaning towards applying in engineering, but I don't want to do it if it would be counterbeneficial.</p>
<p>They should be about the same, and if they're significantly different, I'd imagine it'd be because of the academic backgrounds of the applicants, rather than the decision process.
Princeton says that you apply to the university as a whole, not to the disparate schools, so it shouldn't really matter in the end, especially since (as debryc pointed out) you can easily change from AB to BSE/BSE to AB in the fall.</p>