<p>I am currently a HS senior, planning to go into engineering (electrical). </p>
<p>Any advice/tips/suggestions? </p>
<p>Also, 4-year or 5-year? I'm currently thinking about going for 4-years, not really thinking about co-op, but actually, I'm willing to go "wherever life takes me", meaning if an excellent opportunity for co-op comes along, I am willing to take it. I heard engineering classes were difficult and some students, even if they are not doing a co-op, is on track to graduate in 5-years? Is this correct?</p>
<p>EE… a very hard major. This is from a sophomore here who’s switching majors and is unhappy studying EE. Find out if you really like EE quickly/have an aptitude for it. If not, switch ASAP so that your GPA does not go haywire.</p>
<p>Yes, Electrical Engineering is hard and many of the students here at Illinois Tech take 5 years with or without co-op. I don’t think that it is any harder than other eingineering disciplines though, or even physics. You have to be very good with mathematics and like it.</p>
<p>Usually, universities have a first year course that shows you what it is like being an engineer since fo rhte first year or so you are taking science and math courses and not engineering. Once you take this course oyu will have a better idea of whether you are cut out for engineering and you can make your choices. Many high School students don’t have a lot of exposure to engineering and so they don’t really know what it is like. The first year is where you can figure that out.</p>
<p>Some people are cut out for engineering some are not. If you think you will enjoy it go for it. I know allot of people who really love EE. You should post this in the engineering forum.</p>
<p>Im a freshman mech taking 15 credits. I can get out in 4 years but why the hell would I? Work will always be there waiting for you, you only get 5 years for undergrad so live it up. Im responsible for half of my tuition so it will end up being an extra 8 grand which is a lot of money I know but what is 8 thousand dollars and 1 year compared to 40 years of work. At my school if you take around 14-15 credits it takes 5 years and to get out in 4 it takes about 17-18 per semester.
BTW go for mechanical! EE is cool though too</p>
<p>Having AP credit that fulfills “side” requirements (e.g. chemistry for non-chemical engineering, English composition, humanities and social studies) may allow graduating in 8 semesters even when taking slightly less than normal course loads.</p>
<p>Using AP credit to move ahead in math may only be recommended with a score of 5, though (check your university). AP credit for physics is less likely to be accepted (and never for physics B for engineering majors).</p>
<p>But even without AP credit, a motivated student who is ready to take calculus can complete an engineering degree program in 8 semesters (though a co-op job can extend the calendar time without increasing the number of semesters in school). However, some students decide to take lesser course loads and take 9 semesters to graduate (obviously, this can cost extra tuition and other costs, and some financial aid and scholarship money may not extend beyond 8 semesters). Some universities (particularly public ones) may not like students taking more than 8 semesters and require asking permission for an extra semester.</p>