I am an upcoming freshman at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the class of 2020. I am interesting in majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering as well as Molecular Biology and Genetics (a major not popular at GT).
Questions:
Would it be possible/recommended to get a dual degree? (ChBE at GT and MBG at Harvard/MIT/UC)
If I wanted to get a dual degree at the University of Cambridge, would it be recommended to study abroad at Oxford?
Thank you!
Do you mean getting a BS in molecular biology (at say Emory) and simultaneously a ChBEG at GaTech? I can’t see how that would work, just b/c of the number of requirements, but you can browse around the Dual Degree pages on the Ga Tech site and/or talk to your advisor.
GaTech does not have a dual degree relationship with Cambridge, Harvard, MIT or UC
Also, the GaTech Oxford Summer program (the only study abroad program that they have in Oxford) is not really “Oxford”- it is just held in Oxford, and uses their facilities, so Cambridge would not be impressed by that.
That won’t be feasible. CHBME at GT is a rough major, and you will not be able to find much free time.
These colleges:
http://coe.gatech.edu/dual-degree
offer a dual degree with GT. You can get any degree from them in 3 years, and an engineering degree in 2.
I wish you all the best, but I have talked to many Freshman at GT, who sometimes say exorbitant (and that’s a good thing) goals, like to double major in Engineering, etc. One of the prime reasons for a low GPA at GT is that Freshman are not prepared for GT. I want you to be prepared. I want you to go in knowing that CHBME is difficult, that it’ll require work, that you’ll (literally) have three question finals, etc., Focus on conquering that challenge of excelling in CHBME. I want you to recognize that GT will not be like high school. The students that GT Admissions accepted were all the top of their high schools, or near that, or in some way exceptional students.
Thus, the most elite GA High School students will be attending GT, but only a minority will be able to keep a high GPA (3.6+), etc., Why? Because you will have to earn your place at GT, it won’t be given to you.
It’s a bit of syndrome that basically, as one recent (2014) GT grad told me, that when everyone comes to GT at Freshman, they were all basically the top core in their High Schools, and all of these students made it through GT’s obscure admissions process. Thus, many incoming GT Freshman feel that they’ve made it in life. GT will humble you if that’s how you feel. Recognize that GT is hard, and you’ll do fine.
This is not to scare you, but to prepare you. Knowing this, you’re already ahead of many of your peers in terms of taking on GT. I wish you the best in not only making it through, but excelling at GT.
@GTUG2020 Congratulations on choosing GT!
I think it would be unusual to do a dual degree program between MIT and GT because they are so similar in focus. Usually 3/2 programs are done with liberal arts colleges. But I would check with GT before you give up on this. Clearly there are 3/2 program, see the dual degree link. I think your idea is a good one, to experience two institutions. Maybe study abroad could get you that too? Most 3/2 programs you must start at the liberal arts college, which you have not been admitted to yet, as I understand it.
On the other hand look at GT’s Molecular Biology program. It may be very close to MIT or Harvard anyway. The smaller the department the more personal attention you will get.
http://www.biology.gatech.edu/research/molecular-and-cell-biology
We have met double majors at GT, it all depends on you. Chemical engineering is very rigorous major, both a lot of mathematical thermo and fluids, as well as the hardest chemistry subjects. You could possibly minor in biology
if it proves too much, just take it one year at a time and see how it goes. You can always back off and do either biology OR chemical engineering.
There is a lot of hype about how hard GT is, but we know straight A students, one in Chemical E, so it depends on your preparation and how many credits you are awarded, whether double majoring is possible. Also depends , do you want to take 5 years at Tech,then you can for sure do this, all at GT.