Hey guys, I’m in need of some advice. Long story short, I’ve realized that I want to study engineering, but I’m starting college in the fall at a school that does not offer an engineering program. That leaves me six options:
(1) Transfer to an engineering program after freshman year (4-5 years undergrad)
(2) Transfer to an engineering program after sophomore year (4-6 years undergrad?)
(3) Participate in the Columbia 3/2 program my school is part of (5 years undergrad)… But would I be able to get the same work as a mechanical engineering major there compared to a MaDE major at Northwestern? I’m interested in product engineering.
(4) Take the 4/2 option with Columbia (6 years undergrad)
(5) Major in physics and apply for a master’s degree in engineering (6 years)
(6) Take spring semester off and reapply for freshman admission (5 years)… I’m thinking my parents won’t go for this one.
I will first try option number 1. Option number 2 seems really hard, so I would then just go with option number 3. Considering all of the negative comments I read about 3/2 programs, I would prefer not to go with option number 3, but if that’s what I have to do I’ll do it. Should I seriously consider option number 5?
I am interested in applying to transfer to McCormick after freshman year, specifically for the Mechanical and Design Engineering major. I’m having trouble finding what courses I need to take though. I did find a outline of freshman year for MaDE majors:
Fall:
Chem 101
Gen Cmn 102 or 103
Gen Eng 205-1
Math 220
Winter:
DSGN 106-1
Chem 102
Gen Eng 205-2
Math 224
Spring:
DSGN 106-2
Gen Eng 205-3
Math 230
Unrestricted Elective
What am I expected to complete if I want my application for sophomore transfer (option number 1) to be taken seriously? I can complete the chemistry and math sequences (and the unrestricted elective), but outside of that, I can’t compete any of the others at my school. The design and engineering courses are not offered. Does this mean I can’t apply for transfer? Is it expected that I complete all of these freshman year courses at my school? I can’t find specific information online. I’ve also called the office, but it’s still unclear.
Other relevant info… I was accepted to Northwestern this past year, and I have a 2350 SAT (800 math), 800 Math 2 (and Math 1, but I know that’s redundant), and 4.0 UW high school GPA. Hopefully this can increase my chances?
I apologize if this post is all over the place. I’m really overwhelmed with everything right now and have no guidance. Thank you to anyone who has something helpful to say!!!
Another option: don’t go to school this fall, take a gap year, and apply for next fall at engineering schools. If finances are a concern, transfers don’t get much money.
According to the website, you can still apply for freshman admission if you complete a single semester, so I might not need to take a whole year off. But that is definitely something to consider, thanks for the suggestion. And luckily, finances are not a concern. What could I do related to engineering during a gap semester or year?
As for gap years, I don’t know about engineering, but there are a couple programs where you can go international and do some research.
As for transferring to Northwestern, you could also take Physics (the hardest into-level physics your college has), you gotta take Physics for MaDE. You have to take electromagnetic and “modern” physics at NU as an engineer, and there’s another class (EA 2) that you might be able to get out of by taking statics. Also, you might be able to get out of classes by taking linear algebra and basic MATLAB computer programming (EA 1 at NU) or Diff Eq (EA 3, maybe EA 4).
I think it might be a bit late to apply to gap year programs, and the only alternative to going to school might be, at this point, sitting at home or working. Personally, and this is only my personal opinion, so, as I always say, take it with many grains of salt, I’d say to go to the college you are set to go to, keep an open mind, and see what you enjoy. If you still want to transfer to NU by winter, go fill out that application. However, you might find that you are fine where you are. Good luck with your endeavors.
Hey, thanks for the into @thatrunnerkid. I didn’t realize that those EA courses were based in that content. And I’m glad you reminded me about keeping an open mind… I tell myself that but forget easily.
I’m still trying to find out if the 3/2 route to engineering is really as bad as some threads on CC make it out to be. Transfeering does seem complicated. With having to complete all the liberal arts requirements for my current school, I don’t know how many courses I can really complete in order to be eligible.
So on the website, I read this: “If you applied for admission during the last academic year, you may request in writing to have your application reactivated for transfer consideration. Applicants who were previously denied admission to Northwestern must wait one academic year before being reconsidered and are strongly encouraged to enroll full-time at another college or university for that period.” Does that mean that if you were accepted, you can potentially tranfer earlier? Another part of the site says that tranfer applicants have to complete a full year at another univeristy, but I’m just making sure.
I bet that means you can be re-considered this year.
Ask NU admissions ASAP about being considered for admission next year after a gap year.