<p>So here's my problem: a series of recent events has introduced me to the field of engineering (specifically, computer engineering) and I've fallen IN LOVE. </p>
<p>Previously, I had planned on applying to undergraduate business and economics programs, so here's my question: am I killing my chances at top colleges by applying to engineering schools? </p>
<p>will adcoms consider that really random since science hasn't been my strongest suit in high school and I haven't done any science/engineering-related ec's? </p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU THINK???</p>
<p>P.S. I'm a girl, so some have told me that the prospect of a woman applying to the male-dominated field of engineering might help my chances...any truth to that? Just curious</p>
<p>Have you looked at the classes you will have to take in order to get a computer engineering degree? Make sure you are up for those classes. You state that science isn’t your strong suit in high school. Do you have the ability to do well if you put your mind to it, though? And will the end justify the means … that is, will you be able to stand the many, many, many science & math classes that are required to get that degree?</p>
<p>I ask this as a woman who got a technical management degree from an engineering college. I had to take lots of very difficult courses (tons of upper level math, lots of engineering courses) … but I put my nose to the grindstone & did it, because that’s what I had to do to get where I wanted to go. If you are willing to do that, then there is absolutely no reason you can’t get into a good school (assuming you have the scores to back it up - the math scores will probably be higher for engineering admits).</p>
<p>No engineering ECs are necessary. They help, but they aren’t required.</p>
<p>This happened to me, too! I was interested in biology, medicine, etc. And all of a sudden I fell in love with engineering. I’m applying to eng. schools and I think you should do the same, too because it’s what you love. Go for it!</p>
<p>Thanks for the link, treetop. Just for the reference (and because I don’t know if you would consider these “tops” for schools like Harvard, UPenn, and Carnegie Mellon) here are my stats:</p>
<p>Weighted GPA: 95.842 (we don’t do unweighted and our GPAs are out of 100)</p>
<p>SATs: 780-CR, 780-M, 770-W–>1560/2330</p>
<p>SATIIs: 720-Biology M, 710 Spanish, 740 MathI (will take MathII and Lit in fall)</p>
<p>APs: BC Calc-5, Spanish-5, EnglishLit-5</p>
<p>Several significant ec’s including Varsity Dance Company, Editor in Chief of student newspaper, and founder/president of 2 service-related clubs</p>
<p>Meh. I think you’re as prepared either way. I mean, I don’t think your ECs are really related to Engineering, OR Economics, and it’s not as if your AP or SAT IIs are heavily skewed towards either field (as in, you didn’t take comp sci or physics, but you also didn’t take either econ test).</p>
<p>The only thing you should be worried about is showing passion for engineering. I know Caltech, for one, really respects this drive, passion, ambition, whatnot in their admissions.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation, but I went from pre-med to econ.</p>