How difficult is chemical engineering?

I am a senior in high school hoping to go to UW Madison. I have a 33 ACT with a 35 in math and a 31 in science. If I like what I’m doing I’m willing to put in the effort to do what I need to do. Is chemical engineering as difficult as everyone makes it seem? I passed the BC Calculus AP exam with a 4, so I’m not as much worried about the math difficulty as the work load and stress. Also if anyone knows specifically about the UW Madison engineering program any advice would be great.

Your HS academic accomplishments indicate that you have the tools needed that you could succeed as a Chem E major. I see no reason that you shouldn’t pursue it if it is what you want to pursue. The majority of your courses are going to be math or science related. In general most people would consider it more difficult and time consuming than other majors. I think I’m safe in saying you will be putting in longer hours studying and on projects than your non engineering peers. How difficult it would be for YOU is impossible to say. Most of the B1G universities have excellent engineering schools. Wisconsin is a fine university for engineering.

Any engineering program is going to have a heavy work load and some stress. D is a sophomore in ChemE and she is finding it difficult but manageable. She was originally going to study chemistry, but opted for the more challenging ChemE thinking she could switch out if it was too much. As of now she is glad and plans to continue. She hardly ever misses classes (only when sick), goes to study sessions, sees her prof’s during office hours to ask questions, and studies a lot to keep her grades up but also finds time for friends and fun. Go for it!

Wisconsin has progression requirements to stay in engineering majors. For chemical engineering, you need a 3.5 in major courses and 3.0 overall to avoid being weeded out. Not all schools weed out as aggressively.

https://www.engr.wisc.edu/academics/student-services/academic-advising/first-year-undergraduate-students/progression-requirements/