<p>I have been stressing about trying to find a good college program/major for myself for several weeks. I am interested in chemistry and biology, and I am a pretty good math student. I take standard math courses at my school but I got an 800 on the SAT without preparing for the math section at all. Would engineering be a good fit for me? Or should I look more toward the sciences like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or even pharmaceutical sciences?</p>
<p>Difficult as how much you want it to be. Based on your interest in the major, time management, how you study, commitment, blah blah blah…</p>
<p>Would engineering be a good fit for you? Since you’re good at math, then the only thing left is that it will be pretty much based on your interest in the major.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response.</p>
<p>I have always been very good with time management and studying, but I do not know if the math in engineering will be too difficult. I have only taken standard math courses (algebra 1 and 2, geometry, pre calc, calculus). Do you think it will be a massive step up?</p>
<p>If you’ve already taken Calculus, you’re kinda ahead of the game since you know some fundamentals. Most people start in Calc I. </p>
<p>You didn’t mention Physics, but how is your knowledge in that subject? If almost little to none, then don’t worry as most people will start in Phys I. Or take AP Physics if you can.</p>
<p>If you like both Calculus and Physics, it COULD (but not definitely) be a sign you will enjoy engineering.</p>
<p>I am actually taking Calculus this year, but I excelled in standard Pre-calc.</p>
<p>I also took physics honors last year and got an A for the year. It was a class that I did enjoy for the most part, and one that I really did well in. I got a 730 on the subject test without finishing the curriculum. I am also taking AP physics B this year.</p>
<p>Engineering is the application of math and science (usually mostly physics) to design problems. Do you like math and science (particularly physics, though chemistry is important for chemical engineering), and do you like the idea of solving design problems?</p>
<p>Yes that is definitely something I would be interested in. My strengths are physics, chemistry, and biology, but I’m not amazing at math. I got an 800 on the math SAT section but those questions are much easier than engineering type problems. I’m not sure if I will be able to handle some of the more complex problems if I took engineering.</p>
<p>Haha, it’s not like they take you in as a freshman and plop you down in front of a thermohydrolics problem or something. It’s a lot of building concepts and familiarity during the first few semesters in my experience. You won’t be able to probably do thermodynamics problems now, but you will after they teach you in class (hopefully).</p>
<p>I suspect it would not be all that difficult for you. My son always started his tough classes thinking they were impossible and always finished saying that it wasn’t so bad after earning an A or rarely a B. If you have a good science/math aptitude, engineering is doable. The more important issue is whether you think you’d like the work after graduating.</p>
<p>Everything we do in engineering school builds on top of itself. If you are doing fine in Calculus, you will most likely continue. Once you learn all the maths involved (Through calc III, DiffEq, Linear Algebra, etc) those crazy engineering problems won’t look as crazy. You’ll be fine, just make sure to look into what we actually do with the degree to make sure that is what you want to do with your life instead of your other options.</p>
<p>I suggest applying for engineering first. Most top level engineering schools have separate engineering schools where admission is generally more difficult. This means that it will be relatively hard to switch into engineering once youre already in the college if youre not part of the engineering school. But it’s the exact opposite if you’re already in the engineering school, meaning it is easier to transfer out of engineering than into.</p>