Chances as a female in physics or engineering?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am a rising senior and am beginning college apps. I still have yet to choose a major: I'm unsure whether to choose physics (probably astrophysics) or mechanical engineering. I have always been more interested in theoretical physics and wanted to do research. I'm leaning towards a physics major, but I'm worried 1) I may not survive and earn a phd and 2) I've heard physicists have a harder time getting jobs, which is why I'm considering mechanical engineering. I've heard my being female may also affect things both positively and negatively: I've heard that females have a much higher chance of getting accepted into colleges for physics/engineering, but they have a lesser chance of getting jobs and earn less than men in these fields. Which major do you suggest I pursue? Do I, as a female, have a higher chance of getting into physics or engineering? Do colleges consider intended major in accepting students?</p>

<p>College list:
Caltech
Harvey Mudd
UC Berk * #1 choice
UCLA
UCSD
Purdue
Georgia Tech</p>

<p>STATS:</p>

<p>Gender: Female
Race: Asian (Filipino)
Religion: Roman Catholic
I am a resident of California.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 Unweighted, 4.359 Weighted 9-11, 4.56 Weighted 10-11
SAT: 2260 -- 790 Writing, 740 Math, 730 Critical Reading
SAT II Math: 750
Will take SAT II Physics in October, expecting 750+
Top 9% of class (ELC student)</p>

<p>APs
Euro: 5
Spanish (took class but not exam)
US History: 5
Lang: 5
Calc: 5
Physics C Mechanics: 5
I was awarded best-in-class medals for Spanish, Calc, and Physics
Will take AP Chem, Gov, Lit, Stats next year.</p>

<p>ECs
President of Quiz Bowl (member for 3 years)
Treasurer of Science Olympiad (member for 2 years)
Web Designer of NHS (member for 3 years) and Student Forum (student government, member for 4 years)
Co-President of charity club (1 year)
Staff writer for student newspaper (1 year)
Volunteers for library (and possibly the Discovery Science Center later this year) (1 year)
Varsity Girl's Golf for 2 years (sophomore and junior year)</p>

<p>Awards: minor art awards, Science Olympiad medals, Youth of the Month, Girl's State nominee (substitute candidate), academic awards at school</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>The only thing im worried about with you are your EC’s. And you also might want to make a decision now so that you would have a better chance getting into the classes you would like to take for your major. Its ok to be diverse in clubs, but its better to choose clubs for what you actually want to do. But overall I say you have a pretty solid chance if you stay devoted</p>

<p>Chance Back?</p>

3

<p>Berkeley: Match
Harvey Mudd: Reach (high match if they really are more lenient towards females)
Caltech: Reach
UCLA: Match
UCSD: Low match
Purdue: Safety
GA Tech: Low match/Match</p>

4

<p>Female engineers/physicists do often have a higher acceptance rate to top colleges (although obviously nothing is guaranteed and admission rates are still low). I know that Cornell sends out “likely letters” (letters sent out a few weeks before admission results that basically tell you that you’ve got in) to a select group of people each year, and female engineers make up much of that group. </p>

<p>Your college list I believe needs to be slightly amended or at least added to. I would say you need a couple more safeties and maybe another match school that you would want to attend and that are financially feasible. </p>