ChemE or MechE? This is the final question!

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>Which has a lighter course load in college? which has a higher starting salary? Which one will grant me more career stability in the future? Which one is more interesting overall? </p>

<p>I didn't like chemistry in H.S. and i never took physics but I loved reading books on physics, astrophysics, and quantum physics. Note, they were just books about the general ideas of these subjects, not like textbooks with problems and all that, but I think i'd enjoy physics. I'm loving AP calculus, Ap environmental science and elementary functions this year (i'm a h.s. senior). I just know that I love science and I am starting to have an affinity for mathematics, especially when the math becomes more difficult.</p>

<p>BUT, I am also really good with psychology, philosophy and I am one hell of a writer (atleast that's what I'm told). However, both my ap english teachers told me not to pursue English as a major and countless people tell me about the lack of jobs in philosophy and psychology due to the influx of people majoring in these fields. Plus, there aren't as many opportunities as say an engineering major in these those types of fields.</p>

<p>Now, I wanted to be an Chemical Engineer solely because it's supposedly "the universal engineer" but my bad experience with H.S. Chem is kind of discouraging me... I don't know if college level chemistry classes get much more engaging or atleast somewhat entertaining, but for now I see chemistry as a boring subject. I heard that MechE can also e considered the "universal" engineer BUT how does it compare with ChemE? Note, I always loved playing with motors, wires, lights, pulleys, and any other kind of machine as a kid, like taking them apart and all that. So is Mechanical Eng better for me?</p>

<p>GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, i'm so confused!</p>

<p><em>edit</em></p>

<p>I know some of the answers to my questions can be found in google but I keep getting all these websites with mixed numbers... Some have Chem E starting salary at like $70,000 and mechE at $55,000-$60,000 and vice versa, so I have no idea which is more lucrative. I also keep reading different stories about what ChemEs and MechEs do.</p>

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<p>since you hate chem, its better going for ME. (also coz you like Physics)</p>

<p>the starting salary range for both MEs and Chem E is around 50s and 60sk
but Chem E are slightly higher.</p>

<p>But ME is very broad and the demand in the salary in the area is good too.</p>

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<p>''Which one is more interesting overall''</p>

<p>ME definetly.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the input sess! I am starting to lean towards mechE but I would really appreciate any more feedback.</p>

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<p>I'd call the Mechanical Engineer the "universal engineer".</p>

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<p>"I'd call the Mechanical Engineer the "universal engineer"."</p>

<p>Hmmm, I see. But based on what I posted above do you think that i'd be better in mechE?</p>

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<p>How about you look at what you would LIKE to do...then pick an engineering program that will allow that specialization.</p>

<p>I would look for schools that offer a interdisciplnary B.S. in Engineering degree....which I know is harder to find than the Master of Engineering (grad school) which allows a more interdisciplinary approach.</p>

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<p>Since you don't love chemistry (and since to become a chemical engineering, you gotta love chemistry) I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that you go for ME (one semester of gen chem required).</p>

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<p>At my alma mater, chemical engineers were required to take:
-two semesters of general chem; with lab;
-one semester of physical chem, with lab;
-one semester of organic chem, with lab; and
-three advanced chemistry electives.</p>

<p>If that sounds about as appealing as a torture rack, then don't be a chemical engineer. The extra $3,000 you get after taxes will not make it worthwhile.</p>

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<p>I don't know what I was thinking. I guess my criteria for my dream major was erroneous. Ariesathena, that sounds horrible :O I am definately sticking to Mech Eng... Now, to convince my friends that I am in no way masochistic for sticking with my eng dream, hehe.</p>

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<p>Chem has the highest starting salary out of all BS engineering graduates, and the market is red hot for ChemE right now. MechE is no joke though, and it also requires a lot of work. Believe me, I've roomed with multiple MEs in undergrad and grad school.</p>

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<p>I would look for a school that has a core engineering program and perhaps offers seminar classes covering different aspects of engineering. Review the engineering program of schools you are interested in. Try to talk to some actual engineers to learn what they do. You might look at neuroscience or environmental engineering also. Some programs have more flexibility than others, with respect to non-engineering courses.</p>

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<p>hhhmmmm....Hey I have a simple question :)</p>

<p>I am a sophomore Chemical Engineering student. So far I am doing great I guess. I got As in my General Chem Classes and Calculus classes. And I Got B in a Physics Class. My GPA is 3.56 and I have like 50+ units.</p>

<p>I heard from A LOT of people is that Chemical Engineering is a hard major.
I am just wondering what make it so hard?
I am afraid I wont do well in my Junior and Senior years.</p>

<p>I know I am doin pretty good so far, but the courses that I have taken are very similar to other engineering majors, like calculus, physics, linear algebra, computer programming etc.. I haven't taken any Chemical Engineering courses yet.</p>

<p>why so many ppl say chem E is so hard? what make it hard?
Do u think I would do well? ( I am just hoping my final GPA is not lower than 3.0)</p>

<p>Any opinions or comments?</p>

<p>Thanks for whoever replies!</p>

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<p>Ryan, it depends on the school and your own innate intelligence. If someone gets into MIT and chooses to go to UCSB or something they will likely find that UCSB is fairly easy. They are higher above average. Also, it depends on how much you study, if you study 40 hours a week on top of class and get a 3.56, that doesn't mean the major is easy. It means you are working harder than your classmates and it shows in the grades. If you study 40 hours a week and everyone else is doing 10 hours the tests you will outperform the average.</p>

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<p>I am studying at Berkeley.
I study 40 hours a week!? lmao!! I am very sure I study less than that.
I usually study like right b4 the test, but I always do my hw :)</p>

<p>I dont like ur words by "innate intelligence", but I think it's true.
My friend, his major is EECS at Berke;ey, I am pretty sure he studies no more than what I do, but he is doing so good (his GPA is still 4.0) especially in physics. I guess he is a genius. </p>

<p>I dont consider myself an Idiot, but I dont think I am a genius. I guess I am a BORING average student.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGH.. It's so suck being an average student. </p>

<p>Anyways, thanks a lot for ur instant advice Mr Payne.
any other comments b4 I go to sleep?</p>

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<p>How far above average are you performing? An A in math is not impressive if the average grade is a B. You can find out how well you are doing by figuring the average grade in each class you have been in and then figuring how far above that you are.</p>

<p>Good grades = study + innate intelligence. It's not a secret by any means. It sounds like you are still in your first year. Wait til you get to a class with a 50% average or less. That really tells you how you are doing.</p>

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<p>I am in second year now.</p>

<p>It's depend on the classes. I think I am doing a bit above average.
I got B in physics. I think the average grade in physics class is B
I got A in math, but I think the average grade is like B/B+
I got A in Chem, I think I am doing above average for chemistry. many ppl got B and C in that class :)</p>

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<p>Sounds like Cal has gotten a bit easier.</p>

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<p>Not in my classes. The curves in physics right now are horrible.</p>

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<p>Jda2k3,</p>

<p>Simple but quite cliche advice: do what you love and what you have a passion in.</p>

<p>Don't know? No problem! College is the perfect time to explore your interests and find what motivates you. Also don't be afraid to pursue your other interests no matter how strange they are or what others tell you--I'm a triple major in Mechanical Engineering, English and Mathematics.</p>

<p>Sure right now you might worry about salary and job security but the job market might be a radically different place by the time you graduate. Chances are that if you study something that you love you'll probably excel in it and if you excel you'll find a job for yourself despite other obstacles.</p>