<p>What do you think about a triple major? Two of them are Aerospace and mechanical engineerings and I know that they both are very similar, I mean, have common courses (at least at the beginning). Until here, is it going to be tough work? Then I thought about a minor in Astronomy because that really passionates me. Is a minor going to be enough? (I don't see this as a economic point of view but as somethings that I like to do/would like to study). What many classes would I have with a minor in Astronomy?
Then I thought about getting a bachelor in aerospace or in mechanical and then specialize in aerospace or mechanical. A single major with a minor in Astronomy. Or it could be two majors and then specialize in the third one. I don't know, can you help me with this?</p>
<p>I recommend just Mechanical, maybe just take a class or two on astronomy if you want.</p>
<p>Mechanical Engineers and Aerospace Engineers do the exact same kind of work, and both could do the job of the other. You don’t need two degrees.</p>
<p>^ I agree. Or you could do Mechanical and take some aviation classes.</p>
<p>Also, at my school, they don’t allow students to double major within the same department (can’t double major in two engineering majors, two biology majors, etc), so it may not even be possible.</p>
<p>I would recommend mechanical engineering as well, and then supplement with additional courses that you are interested in.</p>
<p>Here is what I would recommend:</p>
<p>(1) For each of those options, figure out your actual credit load. Perhaps a BS in ME or AeroE is 140 credits, and double majoring would be 160 minimum. Maybe an Astro minor is another 16 credits with ME, but only 8 with AeroE. </p>
<p>Note: When you do these calculations, be sure to include what you WANT to take, based on your reason for wanting these things. If you want a double major to say you have a double major then you can often do so with comparatively few extra credits with such closely related fields. If you really want to learn both areas equally it will usually mean a lot more credits!</p>
<p>(2) Now that you have some credit loads, figure out how many credits you would need to take each semester in order to graduate in 4 years, including any AP credits and the like. If that answer gives you something impractical, impossible, or intolerable (and it almost certainly will), figure out how many semesters it will take at your maximum practical, possible, and tolerable credit load.</p>
<p>(3) Compare these figures. Remember that additional majors are essentially non-issues in engineering hiring, so take a long look at those extra credits and semester and figure out for which of them the additional titles will be personally worth the time and costs of getting them. Remember that added credit loads per semester often mean lower GPA’s, which could be a big issue for grad school.</p>
<p>(4) Then take a serious look at your academic ability. There is a risk in college, the risk of repeat classes and variable funding and burnout. Only you can judge how much of an issue these are, but adding minors and extra majors only multiply them. If you are a middling student, stressing yourself to get those extra words on the diploma may push you into bad space financially and mentally.</p>
<p>(5) Consider the extent to which you can delay the decision. If you can graduate on time, on budget, with a good GPA in a single major, I would recommend it. If you are a little bored, maybe adding the extra courses will HELP once you are far enough along to make a solid decision. And if you DO need to repeat a course, it might mean delaying graduation… in which case you might as well take some more courses anyway.</p>