Diverse interests = Engineering? HELP

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>Hello!
Although I am excited for the undergraduate experience, I am unenthused by the prospect of choosing a major and a college. I was always one of those students who was interested in everything; put more negatively, I'm a dabbler. I know that everyone says "you don't have to pick now", but I would really enjoy hearing peoples thoughts for possible schools and programs based on my preferences. I don't want to end up applying to 41904234234 schools. </p>

<p>Relevant Academic Quals:
GPA: 3.93 (top 1% of class)
USAMO Qualifier 2010
SAT: 800 CR, 780 W, 790 M
SAT IIs: 800 Math2, 800 Chem, 760 USH
APs: 5s on AP Calc BC, AP Physics C (both), AP Chemistry, AP Micro/Macro, AP Art History, AP Gov </p>

<p>Extracurricular Interests:
Volunteering--President of Key Club
Science--President of Science Club
Journalism--Co-editor of school newspaper and staff writer for city newspaper
Dance--tap dance for the last 10 years :)</p>

<p>Undergraduate MUST HAVES:
-abundance of undergraduate scientific research opportunities (maybe not prestigious, but availability)
-student diversity (I like Asians/Indians)
-accessible student newspaper</p>

<p>Sad lack of Academic Interests:
I spend every minute, every hour, every day wishing I had a clear interest. I am now in that phase where I don't believe I am good enough/interested enough in ANYTHING. </p>

<p>1.) MATH: I don't think I have the intuition, skill, or the tolerance for purely theoretical work. My USAMO qualification seemed more "luck" than logic. </p>

<p>2.) PHYSICS: I don't think I can wrap my mind around Physics. I enjoyed AP Physics to feel accomplishment at the end, but am not sure I understand it conceptually well enough. </p>

<p>3.) BIOLOGY: I like biological research. However, I am not interested in doing that the rest of my life, nor AT ALL interested in pre-med. I am a girl. I am somewhat intrigued by Biological Engineering or Public Health, but many regard this as a "soft", "girls" field. (I know this isn't true) However, biological engineering is not a strong undergraduate degree "jack of all trades, master of none". Many opt to do research AFTER obtaining sufficient expertise in ANOTHER field, bringing more to the field. </p>

<p>3.5) ENGINEERING: Either Biological or plain old general. I don't particular enjoy building things. But engineering grads (to me) tend to be the best problem-solvers, thinkers, analyzers, and make the $$. I guess I like that they are useful in any field, and since I am so indecisive, yet like math/science, this seems cool. I am, however, easily intimidated. </p>

<p>4.) ECONOMICS: I like global applications, and enjoy economics discussions/graphy/theory. Yet, what do I do with this degree? Isn't econ better for grad school? Also, I am horrible at public speaking and don't inspire confidence in a crowd, making advisising/consulting/corporate decisions is definitely NOT in the picture. </p>

<p>5.) HUMANITIES: I don't like English. Though I like political science, and international relations, I am not in any way competent enough to be a leader, politician or even debater.
Though I really really enjoy paleoanthropology, and studying up on world cultures and religions. I'd rather have an appropriate context for this. </p>

<p>UNDERGRADUATE ASSORTED INTERESTS:
-accessible clubs and activities (anyone interested can join, not just the Gods)
-international/humanitarian-focused school, not business or corporate 
-lots of service/volunteer locally options
-internship/career/research opportunities
-collaborative, not cut-throat competitive (be honest please)
-not toooo terrible grade deflation or feeling like you have to study ALL the time
-accessible material; not too theoretical where you easily lose track of it
-smallish classes or at least TA sections
-freshman dorm/community—easy to meet new/different people?
-don’t really care (sorry!) about amazing sports, drama, arts, music
-FOOD/MEAL PLAN—sorry, but it’s four years and I’m crazy about eating well
-don’t mind alcohol, but don’t heart stoners
-city or at least social scene somewhat close by</p>

<p>Just so you get a reference point, these are the schools I am thinking of applying to: please narrow it down as possible above:
Assorted: University of Missouri, WUSTL, Carleton College, Smith
Engineering: Rice, Columbia, Cornell, MIT, Caltech, Stanford, UCBerkeley, Harvey Mudd, UChicago
Biology: Harvard, Yale, Emory, Tufts</p>

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<p>To be honest I’m not sure what you’re asking.
Those are all fine schools where you can probably find research opportunities and succeed.</p>

<p>If you want to focus your research interests, just pick a field and go for it. Toss a coin if you have to. If you constantly second guess yourself “I don’t understand it conceptually”, “I’m not smart enough”, you’ll end up nowhere…</p>

3

<p>You know what, just apply to what you like know, but your interests will probably change in college. </p>

<p>When I applied, I wanted to go for math, but my parents insisted on me doing engineering. I followed their advice, and am I glad I listened to them! Right now, the engineering classes are my favorite, while math is really boring (I took this discrete math course, and the proofs just ****ed me off).</p>

<p>So ya, I hope you can find something you like. You may want to ask your parents to see if they have any suggestions.</p>

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My thoughts after reading it:
I have a diverse interest too. I can spend all my day reading physics, math, or anything. I can spend the whole day analysis politics among my friends. I did that last semester when I lived with some Columbia visiting scholars. </p>

<p>But there is only so much time that you can do in a day. So you have to pick one thing for your main focus and then do the rest as hobbies (for now). </p>

<p>If you want small classes then some of the schools you listed above will never met your requirement. </p>

<p>For high rate of internship and volunteers opportunity, colleges like Cornell will never met it. It’s located in Ithaca. </p>

<p>If you don’t like theory thing - well for the first 2 years of your class - at least, will always be theoretical. </p>

<p>The problem I see is that you have to much to demand for college - that’s great. But don’t be so picky.</p>

<p>IMO Columbia is the best college that meet your - although it’s pretty -_- “hardcore” in its humanities side. You read a lot - write a lot. LOL
But it’s located in New York City. You can dorm and eat outside the campus - it’s a urban campus.
Other schools like MIT and Harvard should be the same - in Boston.</p>

<p>@Dude2491
lol discrete math is needed in computer engineering and computer science. It’s boring but that just makes several pure math courses into one. But I agree it;s boring as hell to write proofs. </p>

<p>But the theories are fun to learn :)</p>

<p>I wouldn’t do a math major unless you love it. I would instead do a math minor since engineering students usually can complete it with 2 or 3 more additional math courses. You can use them to build a stronger emphasis in math - which can be critical in some areas of engineering and science.</p>

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<p>To put it simply, sometimes you have to grow up some before you know what you want. I had zero interest in math and physics when I first attempted college at age 16, in 1999. I was arrogant, hated the general studies classes, cut classes, got suspended, etc. Long story short, it really wasn’t until maybe five years ago or so I developed an interest in physics (beyond merely reading articles about relativity and whatnot and figuring out what warp drive on Star Trek meant), and my interest has grown by leaps and bounds as I’ve been taking classes. It also wasn’t until I started studying calculus on my own in preparation for my glorious return to higher ed that I started liking math too. Math has become…almost a hobby, in that I actually do math homework to relax.</p>

<p>I had to grow up and live in the real world and mature some before all this had happened. I have no idea what you should do, but I feel my perspective may be of some value to you.</p>

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<p>So, you’re a very smart person (don’t try to refute this, 2370s don’t lie), who has lots of options, who will likely be successful at any of those schools in any of those majors. I see no reason why for someone like you would need to do Engineering for employment sake. </p>

<p>Get a liberal arts education, because you’re one of the few for whom it is likely the best option.</p>

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<p>I read over these responses and found each to be oddly comforting, and extremely well thought out. I am going to enter college pretty undecided, but I think overanalyzing and self doubt aren’t going to help. </p>

<p>Those were just the colleges that I was thinking of applying to. In the end, I think I am going to pursue admission at Rice, Stanford, Harvey Mudd and MIT. I won’t do a liberal arts education, but I think that these schools have really really strong engineering and sciences, but a liberal (ha) dose of the liberal arts. </p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

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<p>You should apply to Princeton as well (shameless school plug is, indeed, shameless).</p>

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<p>No. Good schools have smart students in all majors and people make good money in all of them. </p>

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<p>Definitely add Hopkins, especially for BME (as a JH student I’m biased, but the BME at Hopkins is widely regarded as the best in the country). I’d also apply to HYP.</p>

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<p>You sound like the route you should take is purely academia. i.e., yes, get into engineering (just in case), but then take a ton of science courses in diverse fields. Set yourself up to do research, and lots of it. Universities will pay you, as a scientist, to research whatever the heck you end up liking during your freshman year - through Masters, maybe even a PHD if you really get into it. </p>

<p>I say this because you don’t seem to be the kind of person to want a “job” like a lame. No matter what, jobs will lock you into one (maybe a few) tasks. Research is where it’s at - just prove to professors you are into what they’re doing! However, what major you will graduate with I cannot tell you…</p>

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<p>I’m going to plug my own school (WUSTL). I’m a junior engineering major (EE), for the record.</p>

<ul>
<li>Overabundance of research opportunities</li>
<li>You can switch between majors/schools VERY easily (so no problem if you don’t know what you want to do)</li>
<li>Everyone here loves it (very few people I know are unhappy with the school)</li>
<li>tons of clubs/activities; an obscene amount of service opportunities</li>
<li>NOT cutthroat! (I’ve gone into the library, asked someone I didn’t even know a question about an upcoming chem exam, and they answered even though the class is curved)</li>
<li>freshmen dorm experience is pretty awesome </li>
<li>food on campus is excellent</li>
<li>there’s a solid mix of kids ranging from heavy partiers to straight-edge kids; I’ve never really seen peer pressure to drink if you don’t want to</li>
<li>it’s in a city! yay! (metro to downtown); personally, I really like StL</li>
<li>small classes except large intros (but they have <30 person ta sections</li>
<li>oh look! no one gives a hoot about sports here!</li>
</ul>

<p>Seriously. Everything on your required list applies to WashU. Definitely apply. Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions.</p>

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<p>Do engineering and go with the flow. Engineers are smart so all kinds of companys can hire them and you can do whatever you want.</p>

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<p>Only advice I will give - pick a good school with diverse opportunities. A top tier school will help you to take the “next step”, whether it is grad school, industry, or … whatever. Picking a well-rounded school ensures that you have ample selections once you finally decide on a major. This second point is not too big a problem at top tier schools, but most are either strong-liberal arts (think Harvard) or strong-science/engineering (think MIT), few are both. Columbia, Stanford, and UC Berkeley are exceptions that you should strongly consider.</p>

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<p>I think you should take another look at computer science - it could be a good fit for someone like you: smart, likes applied things, etc. CS may be very proof-based at some schools, but I have only taken one proof-based class (I’m a CS major at Georgia Tech). Yes I had to take Calculus 1-3, Combinatorics, Statistics, and Constructing Proofs (that’s the one proof based class… and it’s super easy, just like “what is induction?”), but pretty much all my other required courses are applied courses, like algorithms, artificial intelligence, robotics, etc. You get to learn a lot of algorithms (you said you liked learning about cool proofs right?) but don’t often, if ever, have to write your own.</p>

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<p>^^maea I think you quoted jwxie and not the OP, just fyi. Also, I can’t understand how anyone would dislike Discrete Math. It’s my favorite class. Intro physics and integral calculus are extra lame cookbook classes.</p>

<p>OP, you ought to give physics another shot. First of all, if you’re going to be interested in engineering, it’s basically like physics anyway. Secondly, intro physics doesn’t really tell you anything. Really, those classes are all lies. Once you start learning about higher level maths, you go back and do again the regular mechanics course (usually its dubbed ‘classical mechanics’) and same for e&m. There are no real proofs in physics either because the proof is within the experiments. I’ve looked through some really basic engineering books (like statics, dynamics, things like that) and to me it looks a lot like a more detailed applied-physics sort of class. To me though, engineering could be kind of boring because of its appliedness (firefox dares to tell me this isn’t a word…). I don’t know, I find physics more fundamental and thus more interesting. It’s like when you’re a kid, you could ask your dad (who should know everything about the universe) ‘why?’ a million times and still keep getting answers (well, maybe). I like to ask why.</p>

<p>See the funny thing about picking a field of study is that it’s kind of like a psychological game with yourself. Maybe you’re not interested in the nitty gritty, I mean hell, who is? What you really have to ask yourself is to what end are you willing to kill yourself to know what you want to know? For me, algebraic topology/geometry and quantum field theory are insanely fascinating topics and I like mathematics and/or physics enough to go through 10 years of hell (dubbed graduate school) to learn it better than 99.99% of the world, plus the rest of my life. You’ve got to figure out what you’re really interested in and what you want from life. If you’ll be content figuring out how to build a small piece of a wing for some sort of aircraft or spacecraft, then fine, be an engineer. If you want to know how diseases affect brain function and behavior, go to medical school and be a neurologist or go to graduate school and work in neuroscience (the latter is more research oriented, obviously). If you’re interested in building devices to measure brain function and behavior so that someone else can figure out what disease could be causing those things, be a biomedical engineer. Plus, once you find out what you really love, sometimes it happens that you end up loving the nitty gritty stuff and you can’t even stop thinking about it.</p>

<p>Probably the best idea is to go to a school where you won’t be limited should you find you like one subject better than another. The only way I ever found that I loved higher level mathematics is because I was really interested in how people come up with 2 + 2 = 4, asking questions like ‘what are numbers’ and ‘why do they work so well that we can create grand complex systems like calculus and different types of algebras to represent real things in the physical world’. You might find out that you don’t care if you’ll never be a huge motivational speaker because you decided to pick up Karl Marx’s book and began to ask questions like ‘what is a natural right’, ‘what is money’, or ‘how should civilization be organized’ and from that you read more and more because you’re interested and bam, you end up with a political science or economics/math degree. All you can do is keep an open mind and if something interests you, read up on it. So far, that strategy has worked very well for me.</p>

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<p>Keeping an open mind seems like a great idea!</p>

<p>I got into MIT, if anyone was wondering, and am excited by the seemingly-endless opportunities.</p>

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<p>That’s amazing, congrats. You really can do anything at a place like MIT. Whatever you think you’re interested in, talk to a professor about it. They can tell you a lot (but don’t disappoint them by not doing your homework, do some reading as well before you talk to them).</p>

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<p>Don’t pick up Marx.</p>

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<p>Why not? I wouldn’t necessarily advise Marx over Hegel, Plato, Husserl, Heidegger, or Kant, but Marx had good ideas.</p>

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<p>Do you subscribe to Marxism?</p>