<p>In the future, I would like to apply for a graduate degree in some engineering field. However, I am also considering a university for my undergraduate studies at which I would obtain a Bachelor's degree in pure physics. I am interested in any disadvantages that a pure physics education might create in the admissions process compared to a specialized engineering degree. How important is this distinction when choosing between applicants, if it is even considered? Would you recommend that a prospective graduate student pursue an engineering undergraduate degree if it is available?</p>
<p>I understand that there are many factors in the admission process and that it is impossible to make any absolute predictions, but I hope that you can provide some generalizations to help me with my plans.</p>
<p>Specifically, I would like really like to study physics at the University of Chicago, but it does not have an engineering department.</p>
<p>Because graduate programs (even in engineering) tend to be much more focused upon academic research than practical application, a pure STEM background isn’t going to be a huge a liability to you. It may even help you, if you’re applying to departments that favor academic/intellectual diversity. Everything is considered to some extent, and it really depends upon the program. Some will see it as a disadvantage, some will be largely indifferent, and others (as mentioned) will actually favor it. There’s always chance you’ll have to take some undergraduate-level prerequisite engineering courses as a conditional admit.</p>
<p>I considered this path myself, because I was at one point interested in working on alternative energy technologies, and was at an undergraduate university with a very reputable physics program but a pretty bad engineering school. The biggest issue that I discovered was the apparent fact that many states will not grant you a license if you do not hold an undergraduate degree from an ABET accredited engineering program, regardless of advanced degrees (probably due to the discrepancies between practical application and theory from the undergraduate to graduate levels). Without the opportunity to complete the FE/PE sequence, your career advancement within an engineering discipline can be severely constrained. This was enough to steer me away from the whole idea.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply. I actually had not considered ABET qualifications. I suppose that I will have even more to research now.</p>