<p>I have just finished up almost all of the lower division classes required for engineering majors at a community college in California. I have a 3.8 GPA after 4 semesters of Math, 2 semesters of Calculus-based physics, 2 semesters of General Chemistry and 2 semesters of programming classes (Java and C++). I have been accepted into UC San Diego as a Chemical engineer and I have also been accepted into Texas A&M but as a Nuclear engineer; my first choice major was Petro-Engineering. I didn't know that TAMU does rolling admissions otherwise I would have sent in my application much sooner and probably would have gotten into my first choice major.</p>
<p>I really, really want to become a petroleum engineer because the field greatly interests me and the lifestyle is something that I would enjoy. The only other kind of engineering I could possibly enjoy would be chemical engineering. Now I need to decide between going to UCSD as a chemical engineering major or going to TAMU for a semester and then trying to switch into petroleum. I have about 20 days to accept TAMU's offer of admission and I have been worrying about this decision for quite a while now. Does anyone know how likely it is for me to be able to successfully change majors once at TAMU? I was informed that every semester approximately 80-100 students apply to change into PE and only 20 or so of the most competitive get accepted. Considering the classes that I have completed and the confidence I have in being able to achieve a 4.0 for the semester that I will be there, how much of a chance do I stand? Another thing I have to consider is the cost of attendance for both; UCSD is around 10K/year while TAMU will be 33K/year but there is always the possibility of securing a scholarship at TAMU after a semester or 2 to bring the cost of attendance down significantly. </p>
<p>TAMU waivers out of state tuition if you can secure a scholarship. I have also applied to the PE program at LSU but I haven’t heard back from them yet. What line of action would be the best for me at this point? I understand that it is possible to break into the Oil industry with a ChemE degree so that’s always a possible option. This is a very lengthy post and I am going to very grateful to anyone who responds, thanks in advance! </p>
<p>It’s easy to break into the oil and gas field with a Chemical Engineering degree. TAMU is recruited increadibly hard by oil and gas companies. Oil and gas companies also hire alot of Mechanical Engineers. Many oil and gas companies don’t care too much about your major as long as your engineering in general. They will teach you everything you need to know. </p>
<p>When you say lifestyle that you would enjoy, what do you have in mind? I’m curious because most people list the money first.</p>
<p>Either path can lead to the same result. PetE is just a subdivision of MechE and ChemE. I’ve heard some PetE’s say Oil refinery is like any other process engineering, which Chem E prepares you for. </p>
<p>Go with the sure thing at less cost; UCSD. Don’t premise your choice upon financial aid from TAMU that you have not been awarded with as of yet.</p>
<p>The money is definitely good and a factor to consider. I enjoy travelling and hands-on working and as a PE, I can see myself travelling all around the world. I grew up in a third-world country so I have no issues travelling to any part of the world. I also really enjoy chemistry, geology and physics; PE is a good combination of all of these.</p>
<p>Good. You’ll get a lot of hands on work. Not neccessarily a bad thing, but alot of petroleum jobs are in small cities in the middle of nowhere. At least that’s how it is in Texas, especially with the shale play now. I know a few petroleum people at A&M who took full time positions in places like Odessa and Midland. Not bad cities, just not the “traveling” that I think you have in mind. You get paid extremly well, but alot of these jobs are physically hard and in interesting places. </p>