<p>I'm a transfer student from community college. I went to UC Berk for a year, but couldn't afford it and lost out on a year of learning because I couldn't pay my second semester so I left in the middle. I attended a community college for 2 years and am now transferring to USC. My question is this: I was accepted as chemical engineering, but it will probably take 5 to 6 semesters to graduate, essentially 3 years. I can change to a chemistry major and graduate within the 2 year mark most likely. Is sticking with chemical engineering worth it? I am paying for college myself, which is another thing to consider. </p>
<p>My life goals are to go to graduate school for a PhD in chemistry. The reason I wanted to do chemical engineering is because I wanted a versatile background for employment because I don't want to go to graduate school immediately. My interest lies in nanotechnology. USC offers chemical engineering with this nanotechnology focus, but also offers chemical nanoscience. </p>
<p>Essentially, is a chemical engineering degree with an extra year worth it? (I'll be attending college on and off for 6 years then. ouch!!) </p>
<p>for bachelors level. Definitely. for a bs, chem won’t do much for you in the industry. You can get a lab tech job, but unless you get hooked up at a school or something, median salaries are 38k or so. As a single person, that isn’t horrible, it isn’t enough to pay off student loans at a fast pace.</p>
<p>Engineers generally start between 40-60k and can move up. From the income standpoint, ChemE fits your goals better. For the job goal, chemistry doesn’t really fit the bill. ChemE better fits. </p>
<p>As for graduating in 6 years, that’s not detrimental. The typical stem major especially engineering needs 4-6 years to graduate. </p>
<p>AND likely end up gainfully employed in a lucrative profession. I think it’s worth it. What are you 21 years old? You have your whole life. You’ll make up the lost income (if there was even to be any - chemists are really hurting) in no time. </p>
<p>If finances are a problem, you may want to look into USC’s Co-op program. It will extend the time it takes to graduate, but it will make it much more affordable (and you much more employable after graduation).</p>
<p>You don’t say anything about your grades but if you want a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering is not really a great place to start. Lots of the Chemical Engineering courses are Physical Chemistry and you would be missing many courses that a chemistry graduate student would be expected to have taken.</p>
<p>On the other hand, for getting a job with a B.S. the other comments are spot on. Chemical Engineering is better.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I’m already doing a summer internship (at USC) and getting paid for it too, so that should help me pay. Tuition for me is about 10k a year, after the financial aid, and looking at it, it’s not too far off. As for classes, I know that I can get a chemistry minor here, and take extra courses. However, there is maybe only one or two courses that are different for just straight chemistry. I will ask them during orientation. :)</p>
<p>Also, thank you for the co-op information. That actually looks really interesting. I’ve had an internship at The Aerospace Corporation before, and I wonder if they would take me back. That would be awesome!</p>