Until now, I have picked my high school courses to prepare me to be a PA and major in Biology or Biochem. I’ve completed an internship and other volunteer hours in the medical field but I don’t think this is something I want to do. I want to solve problems and create things.
I will be a senior this year and the only science AP class I’ll graduate with is Bio.(I took honors chem and loved it, AP wasn’t offered)
I will be in honors pre cal.
Without taking any AP math courses, am I setting myself up for failure of I pursue a ChemE career? I am applying to Texas A&M, Northeastern and Ut Austin.
For reference I have a 680 on the new SAT math
Minimum high school preparation to study chemical engineering would be:
- Math: precalculus or higher, because you need to start with calculus 1 in college.
- Chemistry: high school chemistry, to help prepare for chemistry in college.
- Physics: high school physics, to help prepare for physics in college.
AP calculus, AP chemistry, and/or AP physics C that lead to advanced placement in these subjects can be a bonus, but are not necessary.
Be careful of schools where chemical engineering is a restricted major but frosh are not admitted directly to the major and must compete by GPA to get into the major later (e.g. Texas A&M).
AP courses aren’t required to start an engineering degree, nor is calculus. Look at any ABET-accredited engineering degree in the country and you will see that during the first semester, the standard student will take calculus 1. The curricula aren’t built to assume you’ve had x number of AP courses already.