Hello,
I’m a chemical engineering major that will be applying for transfer to a 4-year university. I have the choice of taking either differential equations or linear algebra to take over this summer. I’d prefer to take the more difficult course over the summer because I’m taking ochem in the fall. Which course would you guys recommend taking based on your own experiences? As a side note, I’m doing calc 3 right now and I don’t find it too difficult and after a few hours of dedicated studying I can understand the topics pretty well.
Thank you!
Both are about the same (rigor) and neither should be too difficult (as compared to ochem, etc.). Every schools is a bit different, but I would recommend differential equations, since it’s likely a critical tracking course, and is more likely to be a pre-req for another class.
Check the ChemE curiculum plan at your school. It should lay out which they recommend you take first (if not at the same time).
@Gator88NE thank you! I checked and there’s no specific order I need to take them in. I just need to take them in order to transfer. Do you think that doing both of them together during a condensed summer session is a good idea?
Can’t really say without knowing your curriculum. However, you may want to take a class that’s a pre-req for another class, and save linear algebra for another semester. Or Not. 
Find out what other courses list linear algebra or differential equations as prerequisites. If one of them is a prerequisite for a course that is earlier in the curriculum than the other, consider taking that one first.
Plan carefully when it comes to summer courses. At many universities, they do half term courses for summers. On average, courses are twice the pace, and the pace isn’t always linearly correlated compared with a normal term. Some classes are more suitable for being taken during a full term to give you the appropriate amount of time to digest the material, and that is what you are going to have to carefully consider.