<p>that's the question...in engineering</p>
<p>This is the question, isn't it? Columbia guarantees placement in engineering if all of the prerequisite coursework is completed at one of it's affiliate 3-2 schools with a 3.0...</p>
<p>At most public schools, a 3.0 GPA is at or even slight above the median. Keep in mind that this includes all the freshmen and sophomores who got weeded out of the major, so they don't provide the usual cushion at the bottom of the curve.</p>
<p>how about private schools then?</p>
<p>Another question: What schools offer the 3-2 program? I know Caltech and Columbia do..</p>
<p>It's easy the first year. I don't know about the others.</p>
<p>I would advise against doing a 3-2 program. It takes an extra year that you could spend getting a master's in engineering or earning money, and the extra liberal arts degree adds little to your resume. Also, you effectively enter as a transfer student after 3 years as a liberal arts major, so it's very difficult to complete all your engineering coursework in that short amount of time. You're also behind in getting industry internships or research experience, which puts you at a disadvantage for employment or grad school admissions.</p>
<p>To add to that, many people don't carry through with their intentions of pursuing a 3-2 plan since they don't want to leave their friends and college with only one year to go.</p>
<p>Depends on how tough of a school you're going to, how good your high school was, how hard you are willing to work, and which major you pick. I go to U of I and picked chemE; I went to a crappy high school but I am determined as hell and people say I'm one of the hardest workers they've seen (and I still have a social life!) and I have above a 3.0 (ever so slightly). I wasn't ready for college and had to bust my ass during the first year when most people found the classes relatively easy or even review (they went to good schools).</p>
<p>Compared with the people left in my major the GPAs are dropping fast (thanks Orgo!) and mine has stayed relatively the same. Many who are left even started above me and have now dropped below me. I'm hoping to raise mine but I'm doing alright. It's hard and requires devotion and no matter where you go it will be hard. There is no such thing as easy engineering. There's medium difficulty for the geniuses and they're still competing against other geniuses (hey leave some A's for the rest of us!) so it's intense, intimidating, and incredibly REWARDING. I love the challenge and don't think I would have grown intellectually or even emotionally as mature as I have in the past 2 years without it.</p>
<p>P.S. Although I was at my family's this weekend and it's hard to talk to them about the classes I take without watching them literally just tune me out. It's frustrating because I do want to share it but they just don't get it. It's hard to understand the difficulty if you haven't experienced it.</p>
<p>Man don't worry about the family misunderstanding. If it has changed you as significantly as you indicate, they will notice through other means. You sound like you are getting your money's worth.</p>