<p>so how is architectural engineering at penn? i'm still debating between premed or architecture but since they can't place me in architecture program, they suggested i take architectural engineering. any one have any suggestions?</p>
<p>The AE program is one of the top two in the country. (The other is at UT-Austin.) This is one of the engineering departments with an enrollment cap; you apply to get in after freshman year and they admit the top one hundred applicants. It’s a five year program and rigorous (like all of engineering).</p>
<p>(Penn is the ivy league school in Philadelphia.)</p>
<p>You know, these majors you’re looking at are very different, so much so that they are in three different colleges. AE may have architecture in its name, but it’s still engineering-- five years of math, physics, engineering mechanics, structures. . . If you have not previously considered engineering, there is probably a reason for that. Your choice of major will impact your life for many years to come; why rush it? I recommend that you sit tight for awhile, take some of your gen ed requirements and see how you feel later in the fall.</p>
<p>I got my BS in ArchE at UT Austin. 1moremom is right - ArchE and Arhitecture are almost polar opposites. UT offers a dual program for both degrees, and I know of only one person who was able to complete it, and he was an amazing student. </p>
<p>I have an analytical, not artistic, mind. I was pretty much a straight A student, even in college, but when I took the two required architectural design classes, I struggled terribly. One semester I even got a C! I was mortified. It was a good experience, though, because it taught me that architects really do serve a useful role in society! If engineers were responsible for architectural design, buildings would all be perfect cubes and totally boring!</p>
<p>+1 on 1moremom’s advice. You might see if there’s an Intro to ArchE class like the one I took at UT. We had different speakers from the industry who told us what the career was like.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>That is a great idea; there will be a number of freshman seminars offered by the department in the fall. You might also consider taking an art studio which would help you build a portfolio if you decide architecture is where your passion lies.</p>
<p>I would suggest taking art and shop classes to get prepared for Architecture.Those are two courses that my son would have benefited from now being in the program.</p>
<p>The OP has already been accepted at PSU.</p>