Considering Civil Engineering. Please help!

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>I'm a senior in high school with a bit of a problem.</p>

<p>Throughout most of my high school career I thought I was going to go into some sort of career path in social sciences or arts; law, criminology, psychology, economics, business, political science, film, communication, journalism something of that nature. Needless to say throughout most of high school because of this reason, I chose to focus my attention more on advanced courses in history, english, social sciences, electives and stuff like that, while foolishly neglecting more difficult sciences and math courses.</p>

<p>But just recently, I've done a complete 180 in my academic career. I recently attended an engineering conference, checked out my school robotics team, and took some college courses over the summer that completely changed my mind and walked away from each inspired with a new sense of purpose in my life, and now I'm convinced that I would like to pursue something more science-oriented.</p>

<p>In particular Civil Engineering stood out to me the most; one of the reasons I was so interested in social sciences was because ultimately, I really want to help people in my life, and Civil Engineering strikes me as particularly facinating because it seems to be rooted in just that, while applying a more analytical and science oriented twist on the idea.</p>

<p>But I'm EXTREMELY worried about this because I'm a senior in high school, with a mediocre science/math background and I'm JUST getting involved in a career path that requires heavy science/math. It's not that I do not like science or math, quite the contrary, but my mind was just in a different place at the time and I was simply doing what I thought would be beneficial for my assumed major at the time.</p>

<p>I guess what I'm asking is, would it still be possible for me to explore civil engineering (and any other forms of it) in college even if I didn't have a huge interest in the subject prior to this time?</p>

<p>I will considering everything/anything you guys can suggest for me. Thanks in advance :)</p>

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<p>Yes, it’s possible.</p>

<p>What math courses have you completed so far?</p>

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<p>Absolutely it’s possible. As an experienced civil engineer I spend 1/2 my time writing something and 1/2 my time on technical work. Look to a liberal arts college with an engineering program such as Union, Fairfield, Villanova, or your state school. This will allow you to take a core curriculum with liberal art courses and your engineering courses and will allow for some flexibility should you change your mind again in the first year or two.</p>

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<p>noimagination: I am in AP statistics right now and have completed regular high school math through pre-calculus. I actually got A’s in precalc last year and have an A in stat now, but I tried to transfer into calc since I thought it would be more useful but found out my school wouldn’t allow it to happen because it is full. I have recently been looking into online education or concurrently taking a course at a community college to supplement this and show I have a commitment to taking calc.</p>

<p>LACSearch: I actually got a DIRECT PHONE CALL FROM UNION COLLEGE right after taking my first SAT (2100) commenting how they said it was above their average and then asking what potential majors I would be interested in. They have since added me to their email list and I have recieved numerous messages from them via email and in paper mail as well. I might just be getting excited since I’ve always been worried about admissions regardless of college, but I guess the fact that they had a representative call my house phone directly and ask to speak with me really stood out to me. And that SAT was just my first try! I’m taking it again to see if I can boost it even higher!</p>

<p>I might just be getting ahead of myself, but truthfully, I know little-nothing about liberal arts colleges, only a little bit about union since they’ve been in touch with me. Is there any other LAC you would recommend? Is Union College good? It seems that they are pretty well-rounded which is actually good for me since I’m not 100% sure what I want to be, but was interested in exploring engineering.</p>

<p>Is there anything else you can tell me about liberal arts colleges?</p>

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<p>You are fine! There is no expectation that you complete calculus before starting university. Just try to keep your algebra and trig skills sharp this year so that you are ready for Calc I as a freshman.</p>

<p>I did not see anything in your post that should push you towards or away from liberal arts colleges in your search. Perhaps “LACSearch” has his or her own preferences on that point.</p>

<p>Don’t let marketing influence you too much, either.</p>

<p>Have you taken any physics yet?</p>

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<p>Well that is good to know at least :)</p>

<p>The bad news is that no I unfortunetly have not taken physics yet :frowning: I REALLY wanted to take both physics and calc this year, but was but in AP Statistics and AP Environmental Science instead.</p>

<p>I’m actually quite angry at my school because of this because I think that getting the wrong AP classes is not only extremely disappointing to me because I had a genuine interest in them, but because some people were placed in those classes without even asking for them. Oh and my school doesn’t allow for double sciences or maths either >:(</p>

<p>I have tried to transfer into both but have only been met with “They’re full” every time I try to transfer. I am trying to look into classes outside of school in calc or physics that I can take concurrently instead.</p>

<p>I am actually very upset at my school because of this. I mean, I don’t know, it just seems kinda messed up with the system. Everyone says that I was lucky to even get 4 AP’s my senior year, but at the same time it just seems wrong that they couldn’t even place me into the classes that I had originally signed up for just because the administrators don’t wanna deal with any more schedule changes.</p>

<p>and what REALLY grinds my gears about this whole thing is the fact I have an open slot in my schedule 5th period that is basically just used as a study hall/TA period. I go to a competitive public school where everyone is trying to get all the classes they want and so I’m not the only one whose been screwed over like this. But I can’t help but feel like I got really hosed here considering that this happened to me JUNIOR YEAR AS WELL!!! >:(</p>

<p>I don’t mean to come off as though I’m blaming the world for my problems, as I’ll admit I orginally signed up for stats/apes before putting in schedule change requests; but I don’t know, it just seems wrong that when so many kids are content with being slackers and not trying, that for kids who really are interested in learning new material, they just won’t let it happen.</p>

<p>I’m trying to make up for this by taking online/community college courses in calc/physics, but seriously, I just hate my school so much right now >:(</p>

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<p>xcruciat0r - Union does not have Civil Engineering only Mech., Elec., and computer.</p>

<p>Anyway, just visited Union about a month ago with my son for their open house. Seems like a very good school with a very good reputation. The campus is very pretty and a decent size - about 120 acres with a good mixture of open space and buildings. The enrollment is only 2200 so a little small but that means smaller classes. The facilities were all modern with some nice labs. The dorms very adequate enough with most freshman in doubles. They have a core curriculum of required classes (see on website) but it is not overwhelming if you are entering engineering (son is). The surrounding area appears to be coming back with their main st (State St.) having a lot of restaurants, shops, a theater, and a decent hotel. All in all fairly impressed and on my sons list.</p>