Didn't apply for ECE but now I want to major in it - difficult?

<p>Hi everyone, </p>

<p>I applied ED to CIT for materials science and engineering and I got in. My letter basically said that I can do everything in CIT except for ECE. The thing is, I applied at the beginning of the year before I'd taken any computer science or in-depth physics (both of which I'm currently loving), and I'm starting to think that ECE is more what I want to do. </p>

<p>How difficult would it be for me to major in ECE even though I didn't apply for it and I'm not guaranteed a spot in the program? Can I still take intro to ECE my first semester or will I have to wait for second semester? What grades will I need? Any other problems I'll run into? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>You should try to take intro to ECE as your first CIT intro course, and leave mat sci for spring.
Do really well, and brace yourself haha. Unless they significantly change the curriculum of the intro course by the time you take it, it’s going to be pretty difficult and fast paced. You will learn a lot of stuff you might not even like.
Try to get at least a B. The only problems I can think of is feeling discouraged and falling behind. You’ll sometimes find that you have no idea what’s going on and would want to drop the course, but never be afraid to get extra help. For a class like 18-100, there’s at least 5 ways I can think of that you can get help.</p>

<p>I am very braced, I’ve heard ECE is really intense. I’d be willing to work really hard. Follow-up question: Should I split Intro to ECE and 15-112 up into two different semesters? Or is taking them both at once not too tough</p>

<p>By “too tough” I mean very very difficult for someone who comes from a not-very-rigorous high school and plans on having to adjust to a big difference in workload. I’ve always gotten straight As but it’s not like that’s a huge accomplishment at my school. That said, I’m taking an online AP Computer Science course where the average is an F and I’m pulling an A so it’s not totally hopeless. How does this schedule look? </p>

<p>Semester 1:
Intro to ECE
Physics 1
Calculus
Interp</p>

<p>Semester 2:
Intro to Materials Science
Fundamentals of Programming
Calculus
Humanities</p>

<p>Taking 18100 and 15112 at the same time is very doable. My friends at precollege did exactly that but with less time and almost all of them did extremely well.</p>

<p>If you have any trouble in 18100, you can always ask a few of your classmates who have already taken the course and 85% if they’re not busy they would be more than willing to help you. I also know some of the TAs for that class personally and I know that they are also extremely willing to help with any trouble you may have.</p>

<p>Okay thank you I’ll probably go for it then :)</p>

<p>From what I’ve heard, taking those classes together would be a bad idea. 18-100 is considered a very challenging and intense course, and 112 is pretty time-consuming. Since you want to keep your GPA as high as possible to transfer, my recommendation would be to not take them together.</p>

<p>@yayitsme123 I also come from a very terrible high school where I bummed around and got straight A’s and honestly the change was very drastic for me. However, I took 18-100 and 15-122 in the same semester, along with Calc II and a writing class and ended up with like a 3.5 GPA. Like @Saixkai said, get help from the staff, they’re so engaging and helpful. In that case, don’t take physics or interp in your Fall semester.
Just do
Fall:
18-100
15-112
Calc I
humanities</p>

<p>Spring:
MatSci
Physics
Calc II
Interp</p>

<p>@Selena731‌ I am in a similar situation. Could I still take ECE as my second semester intro course or will it be harder to get into?</p>

<p>I’m not sure about harder or not, but if you’re restricted CIT admit, you should probably take it in the Fall to have a grade, so the admissions have some basis of considering you for admission.</p>

<p>@Selena731‌ Wait, when do you apply for the major? I’m sorry for being a n00b. I’ve already committed and am very excited to attend :)</p>

<p>No worries! You apply sometime in March, I believe early to mid March, which would be only halfway or so through the spring semester.</p>

<p>Awesome thank you for the advice!</p>