Chem Engineering at Tech or UGA

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>So, I attended the University of Georgia for my freshmen year, but made some decisions that led to me transfer to a smaller university for sophomore year. Anyways, I left UGA with around a 2.4 gpa, but after some work at this smaller university, I am back up to around a 3.1. </p>

<p>I am currently planning to complete the RETP program, then transfer to GA TECH for Chemical Engineering. The RETP program allows a student to take the first 60 hours at a smaller, pre-approved institution, then transfer to Tech to take the actually Chemical Engineering classes.</p>

<p>This is where I need help. UGA recently opened up an engineering program, and I would love to return there. I know many would recommend Tech because of its excellent engineering program, but I am not sure how much the environment (people, classes, etc.) will play a role in my success. </p>

<p>A big factor that has stopped me from not considering UGA is that I have no withdraws remaining at UGA (4 is the maximum). So if I ever get into a sticky situation, I will have to just ride it out. On the other hand, GA Tech is quite difficult from what I've heard, but if you can get through the program, it's well worth it (most of the time).</p>

<p>And I have also read that Chemical Engineering jobs are hard to come by for newbies, and that most employers are looking for those with around 10-15 years of experience in the field. A way to get around this or gain an advantage, would be to do the co-op program at Tech, where you work and take classes, not at the same time, but alternate each semester. </p>

<p>Lastly, my parents would love if I just switched to Biology, and went the Med School route. I have actually been considering this because I love science, but math I am not so fond of. It's not that I suck at it, but rather, I just do not care enough about it. This could be because I haven't had the right spark or motivation yet. </p>

<p>In summary, here are my choices:
-follow through with the RETP program, and go to GA tech for Chemical Engineering</p>

<p>-go to UGA for chemical engineering (they do not have a RETP program so I would just transfer there; keep in mind I have no withdraws remaining, so how much would this affect me?)</p>

<p>-stay at this smaller university, graduate with a biology major, take MCAT's and try for med school</p>

<p>-transfer to UGA as a biology major, take MCAT's, and try for med school</p>

<p>ANY ADVICE WOULD HELP! Thank you all.</p>

2

<p>You can’t go wrong with Tech. Also, it’s tough being part of the first-ish years of an engineering program. Tech engineering is one of the best engineering school in the country.</p>

3

<p>UGA does not (yet?) have ABET accreditation in chemical engineering, and GT is well known enough that it is likely to be more attractive to recruiters.</p>

<p>Here is GT’s career survey: [Georgia</a> Institute of Technology :: Salary Reports](<a href=“Georgia Tech | External Redirect Landing Page”>Georgia Tech | External Redirect Landing Page)</p>

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<p>Your GPA is probably too low to get into an MD medical school in the US (unless you get all A/A+ grades from now on and do very well on the MCAT just to even have a small chance – also, if your low grades freshman year were in science and math, they would hurt worse for medical school purposes than if they were in other subjects), and biology majors have poor job prospects at the bachelor’s degree level. You can do pre-med as a chemical engineering major, though it may require an extra biology course or two (math, physics, and chemistry pre-med requirements should be mostly or fully covered, and writing and social studies pre-med requirements can be taken in your breadth courses). But do not get your hopes up too high about going to an MD medical school in the US.</p>

4

<p>UGA’s College of Engineering was established in the summer of 2012. The Faculty of Engineering have been there since around 2005. This fall will be the last phase in of engineering students(ME, CE, EE). The school is off to a phenomenal start having secured considerable grant dollars. They recently started up a partnership with NASA for earth science and environmental research. Rumor is they plan to incorporate environmental engineering into the mix. Of course, the other engineering programs will still be there, but this will be the primary focus.</p>

<p>[UGA</a> to partner with NASA on Earth science research program | UGA Today](<a href=“http://news.uga.edu/releases/article/uga-partner-nasa-earth-science-research-program-012413/]UGA”>UGA to partner with NASA on Earth science research program - UGA Today)</p>

<p>UGA’s primary focus is on biological, agricultural, ecological engineering - basically the areas where Tech’s focus isn’t. The two schools work together(ironically).</p>

<p>I would recommend Georgia Tech for chemical engineering. Regardless of scarcity of jobs, this is Georgia Tech. You will be employed by a top company(providing you have a decent GPA, intern etc). For biology, without a doubt choose UGA. However, your grades are not so hot. I think it’s too late to go down the medical route. You might want to consider DO or PA school. You also need passion for medicine, not just because your parents want you to become a doctor. You will not be making money as a physician if this is the thought process you have. You may also have to start your degree over. Medicine is a commitment. It isn’t just a job. You don’t want to end up wasting time and money on something you really don’t want to do. Volunteer and shadow before even considering that road.</p>

<p>I recommend Georgia Tech.</p>

5

<p>Wow! All of this has been tremendously helpful. Thank you. </p>

<p>My adviser showed me the BioTech option of Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech. It holds the core of ChE, but with a focus on BioTechnology; which seems perfect for my interests! </p>

<p>[More info here: Articles</a> in “what-biotechnology]” | BIO](<a href=“http://www.bio.org/articles/what-biotechnology]]Articles”>http://www.bio.org/articles/what-biotechnology)</p>

<p>Also, thank you for commenting on the med school situation because I felt I would be overwhelmed, and then end up changing my mind, further raising problems. At least with
BioTech/ChE, I am getting best of both worlds; helping humanity and the world through engineering. </p>

<p>With that noted, if you have any other insight, I am more than willing to listen! </p>

<p>Again, thank you!</p>

6

<p>UGA has an engineering college now?..cool</p>

<p>OK U-Indiana and Oregon…you’re up.</p>