I am a rising Junior and have begun the college search. Is chemical engineering a good major to go into right now? I am extremely interested in chemistry, but obviously chemical engineering is going to be a little different from the honors chemistry and AP chemistry I have/am taking in high school. I live in Maryland and was wondering if there are any good schools for that around here? Thanks!
My son was ChemE. It is one of the most difficult majors there is…but if you love that sort of thing, then super.
It’s a very good major to choose, but only if it’s right for you.
Do you have an “engineering brain”? It’s not enough to be “smart,” you have to be able to process info, think outside the box, find solutions, be creative, etc.
Does UM-CP have ChemE? If so, have you visited? Will your family pay for it? Ask your parents how much they’ll pay each year.
What are your stats?
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Currently, my unweighted GPA is a 4.0 and my weighted GPA (based on 5 scale for APs and 4 scale for regulars and honors) is 4.1875. I am currently number one in my class, and will be valedictorian with my current trend.
I got a 184 on my PSATs last October, and have been studying all summer to improve this to a National Merit Scholar level.
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Well, if you do well on your PSAT this fall, you may make NMSF/F. I don’t remember the MD cut-off, but even if you don’t make it, you have what it takes to score well on the SAT (maybe even ACT).
Sign up for the October SAT. I think it’s given about a week before the PSAT.
Thanks! I am vising University of Maryland College Park in two weeks, along with Johns Hopkins a few days after (although I believe this college is quite a reach, and frankly, may be too expensive)
Also, if you don’t mind answering, what sort of jobs go along with this major?
Go to the JHU website and have your parents run the net price calculator and see the results. If it’s not affordable, then best know that now so that you can add affordable schools to your list.
If it is affordable, then super! Visit and add more schools, too.
Chemical engineering graduates often find jobs in the chemical, oil, and pharmaceutical industries; some go into electronics or materials industry jobs, and a few go into engineering related consulting, sales, etc. jobs. Those aiming for basic research jobs in the field go on to PhD study.
Would going for a PhD increase salary significantly?
FYI - My 2 ChemE kids say that Physics is more useful to ChemEs than Chemistry. And you have Delaware close to you, right? They have a top flight ChemE program thanks to DuPont. “Better Living Through Chemistry”. Good Luck!
BTW - You can PM me if you have more detailed questions.
Chem engineering is a great major. Pretty much any engineering is. It’s really hard though, but not quite as hard as electrical engineering. Would you be willing to go anywhere in the country? How far would you go?
I guess I would be willing to go anywhere in the country. I guess I’d prefer to be on the east coast or close to it, but I would consider farther.
Think of a PhD more in terms of the different type of jobs (i.e. more research oriented and intensive) that you could aim for. These may have higher pay levels, but then you would have to spend several years doing a PhD on a living expense stipend while other bachelor’s degree graduates’ first several years of work likely have paid better.
Engineering is very different than chemistry. Do you enjoy math? Do you enjoy thinking through the big picture of processes and then making the decisions where you are responsible for how those impact the process? I personally think you need to answer yes to be a successful engineer.
My dh and oldest ds are both chemEs. A typical BS chemE works in a plant and either works directly with the processes (the technical side) or manages the people who manage the process (manufacturing side.) When you enter the force as a new grad, you pretty much start with the rest of the pack and your different positions prepare you and train you for different directions within plant processes.
My dh is in charge of processes that are worth millions of dollars of product and which require safe monitoring in order to protect lives. It is a high pressure job due to the level of responsibility. He often works 60+ hrs per week. Our ds graduated in 2011 and was recently moved into a manufacturing role.
A PhD is going to be hired in at a higher level. It will also shift you into openings for different roles/types of jobs in research and development. Once hired, everything is dependent on performance. so where your level of education brings you in will not guarantee how your career will develop. Some corps do have caps of promotability based on degree level, but it is not unheard of for BS engineers to be at higher levels than PhDs.
Chemists,otoh, typically need a PhD to have a decent career, at least in dh’s field. BS chemists are really more just tech roles.
This might give you some ideas about schools with good chemical engineering programs: http://best-engineering-colleges.com/chemical-engineering
There are probably some on that list that also have good programs in chemistry, so you can look for overlap.
I’m also a rising junior thinking of going into Chemical Engineering. If you’re looking to stay closer to home, the University of Delaware is the best school for ChemE in the Northeast/Chesapeake Region. It’s program even tops Princeton’s according to US NEWS.
I’ve heard rumors of Delaware cutting a large part of the students who start the program. Does anyone know the truth about this?
Delaware may not be that selective, and less selective schools tend to have higher attrition, particularly in engineering majors.
Engineering often has some weeding going on. Not everyone who starts in eng’g ends up liking it or doing well in it.
Eng’g can be like premed…lots of students start out as eng’g majors, but soon change their career goals.
Some eng’g frosh/soph students can’t handle the level of math or they just don’t have the interest or “eng’g brain”.
You only need a PhD in chemical engineering if you plan on being a professor of chemical engineering at a research university.
Chemical Engineering in any of its various practical applications; these often include design, manufacture, and operation of plants and machinery in industrial chemical and related processes.