Hello! This is my first time on this site. I’m in 11th grade this year, and I understand why Junior year is called the hardest year of high school. I’m doing pretty well in my classes right now (low to high 90s), but things have been harder to manage this year than previous years. Although I’m not sure what field of engineering I want to do, I’d like to go into Mechanical or Electrical Engineering the most out of all of them, and I’m thinking about majoring in Applied Physics in college. I like math a lot, and science has become one of my favorite subjects in the last few years. Here’s my schedule for this year:
-IB Chemistry SL
-Spanish 4 IB HL
-AP U.S. History (APUSH)
-IB English 1 HL
-Common Core Algebra 2
-Advanced Concert Chorus (I like to sing)
I live in NY btw, and I’ll be taking 4 regent exams this year for each core class. I’ve only taken 1 (Living Environment/Biology) and got a 93 on it last year. I dropped my Intro to C++ Computer Science class earlier this school year due to not only my concussion (Just recovered last week from it) and inability to see lights well, but just that coding was hard and not enjoyable for me. Would that affect me with engineering/physics in the future? Also, will my schedule this year be good enough for colleges to be impressed with me for engineering? For senior year, I’ll be taking these 3 STEM Courses:
-Precalculus for Math
-IB/AP Physics 1 (Algebra Based)
-Civil Engineering/Architecture (PLTW)
I feel like I should’ve done more with school in these STEM courses for school, and I’m hoping colleges can be impressed with my schedule. Feel free to share your own schedules, and your opinion on whether or not physics/engineering will work for me.
As a NYS resident, you will have many options within the state school system. You’re not going to get into MIT with this, but you don’t need to. Just take the classes you can, that you like, and don’t worry about it - there will be a good fit for you for engineering within the state’s public system, and possibly at private colleges, too.
I appreciate the response! I know I likely won’t get into an Ivy League college or highly selective in or out of state college. But I want to get into a good 4 year school like SUNY Binghamton or SUNY Geneseo for Applied Physics. There’s this 3-2 engineering program at Geneseo specifically that’s caught my interest, and I’m just hoping my schedule will get me into a good undergrad school in general. I’ll keep my options open!
@Ronin04 just keep your grades up and you will have plenty of options. Are you planning on taking the SAT or ACT this year? I would suggest getting one under your belt before you finish your junior year.
For most colleges all engineering majors take the same core classes for your freshman and most of your sophomore year. so it’s OK if you are undecided about what areas you like best.
Outside of SUNY schools, take a look at Manhattan college, TCNJ, Rutgers and Stevens.
Thank you for these college recommendations! I’ve heard of Rutgers and the Manhattan school, I’ll take a closer look at the those universities/colleges. I took the PSAT last month, and I struggled with section 3 (the math w/ a calculator section). I felt good about the rest of it though, and I plan on taking the SAT next year in the spring and next year in the fall again when I’m a senior. I need to look at Kahn Academy more to help prep myself up for the exam, and I also want to do good on my AP Exam for APUSH along with my 4 regents in June. A lot to focus on, but I’ll do my best. Thank you for the comment!
I don’t know much about the schools you are interested in but I wish you all the best! Most engineering curricula are set up so that you start Calc 1 when you get to college. So with precalc in Senior year you are good to go. I am not a huge fan of Common Core math so congratulations on doing well in Algebra. Please be kind to your “bumped” brain. Rest well, eat well, exercise as much as you can and leave some time to hang out with friends. A concussion is a rough injury to overcome. Good luck again!
Thank you for your kind comment! I’ll take your advice to heart as I love to workout a lot anyways. I believe doing good academically and physically is needed.
Hello! What part of NY do you live in? I’m also in NY and my daughter is a junior this year, so in the same stage of looking at schools as you are. You are on the right track, so I agree with others to take care of yourself and keep up the good work!
If you do think you are interested in engineering (but also want to have good options in physics) than I think the SUNY university centers of Binghamton, Buffalo, and Stony Brook will offer you the most in terms of engineering - this is why I’m asking what part of the state you live in, to see which of these 3 centers is closest to you. Geneseo, while a lovely school, would not be the best option for engineering (3-2 programs sound much better in theory than they usually actually work out for most students) although if your primary desire is pure physics, Geneseo could be great. Do look carefully at what would be required to complete the 3-2 program at Geneseo compared with a 4 year engineering program at Bing, Buffalo, or Stony Brook.
Thank you for the response! I’m glad to hear I’m on the right track from you. I’ve heard 3-2 engineering programs aren’t always the best for people who want to go into physics/engineering, buts it’s something that interested me. I live in Vestal, which is in Upstate NY, near SUNY Binghamton actually. They have good engineering and physics options, including a 4+1 program I’ve heard for your Bachelors and Masters. Im thinking I’d like to do Applied Physics before sticking with a specific type of engineering. I’ll take a look at Buffalo and Stony Brook too, hope your daughter does well this year and next year!
You are on the right track, so I agree with others to take care of yourself and keep up the good work!