<p>How hard is it to switch from the major you applied with? From humanities to science/engineering? The other way around? </p>
<p>Is this mostly dependent on the school? Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Extremely dependent on the school. Normally in universities, it is relatively easy to switch majors within a specific college, but much more difficult to switch colleges.</p>
<p>Example: It would be easier to switch from English to classics than mechanical engineering to economics, because the latter involves switching from the engineering college to the college of arts & sciences.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s completely dependent on the university. For example, to switch between schools at Penn you need to apply and be accepted. To switch between schools at Wash U, it can be done with a few signatures.</p>
<p>At most ivies and LACs it would not even require a signiture. At a UC, switching into an impacted major (most sciences and engineering and many more), is all but impossible.</p>
<p>Similar to what BES indicated. D switched from Bio to Cognitive Science (whatever that is, but that’s another story), and it was just a few routine signatures. DS says it’s v difficult for someone to switch from the current school to school of comp sci at his institution. Most generally try to do things like a minor or double major, and he indicated even these have obstacles such as scheduling and weeder courses to navigate through.</p>
<p>Switching into engineering can be quite difficult, because course sequence may be designed for four years (i.e., prerequisites).</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>Very true… Many engineering programs are a rather strict sequence of 8 semesters. Also, many students in other majors haven’t taken the math that is needed for engineering.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>I’m mostly worried about this because my EC’s and test scores indicate a strong passion for the humanities (specifically writing), which I really enjoy.</p>
<p>However, I’m also a decently strong math student (770 SAT I, calc BC junior year). I want to major in aerospace engineering, but I don’t want to apply with that major. Advice on what to do…? :)</p>
<p>Like others have said, it depends on the school. Most 4-year universities however will make it easy for you to change, especially if you have not started school yet you will be fine. Do not worry about what your EC’s say about you, go with your heart. You might totally fall in love with a major once you get to college which was the opposite of what you were interested in before.</p>
<p>*I’m mostly worried about this because my EC’s and test scores indicate a strong passion for the humanities (specifically writing), which I really enjoy.</p>
<p>However, I’m also a decently strong math student (770 SAT I, calc BC junior year). I want to major in aerospace engineering, but I don’t want to apply with that major. Advice on what to do…?*</p>
<p>Then apply as a math major. What schools are you considering?</p>
<p>For engineering majors, things can be a bit tough. There is generally less give in the program, so swapping in late in the game can be hard - just because it can difficult to schedule all the required courses.
Don’t sweat the EC/test scores - engineers who are great writers are highly prized.
I suggest you find a school that is not ‘just’ a tech school, so that if you swap out to a non-tech field, you have options. Take a look, if you can, at the proposed schedules for aerospace engineering too.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ll definitely try to look for a well-rounded school.</p>
<p>The truth is, up until now, I’ve always wanted to major in English/creative writing and pursue fiction writing. I still want to write fiction, but I’ve decided that I no longer want to major in English. My main EC’s mostly revolve around writing.</p>
<p>I’m wondering whether I can apply as an English/creative writing major and then transfer to science/engineering first semester. I’ll still join writing programs/clubs on campus, but I won’t be majoring in English. This is partly due to practical concerns. </p>
<p>How hard is it to switch from a humanities major to an engineering major at the Ivies + Stanford?</p>
<p>For most schools, it really won’t matter what you indicate as your major. A very large percentage of folks change their minds. If you want to be an engineer, or at least think so now, start as an engineering major and fit in English courses and ECs.
Look at each school of interest - it will vary. Harvard has a separate school of engineering. You would apply to Harvard College, then move to the school of engineering.
At Stanford, you would also apply to Stanford, then into the appropriate engineering department. You would want to take some engineering related courses as a freshman.
Not all schools offer aerospace, so check for that.</p>
<p>^Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>So, for Harvard and Stanford, the major I apply as doesn’t matter? If I get in, I can eventually apply to their engineering department/school?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure with Stanford and Harvard, switching into engineering is not a real problem (if you don’t start on required courses right away, it might make it very difficult to finish in time, but as far as applying to the school, it shouldn’t matter). The top schools I know of where this WOULD pose a problem are Columbia (because they have separate admissions for SEAS and the college) and Cornell, but I think for Cornell it would still be possible to transfer in (check though, cause I’m not certain). So long as you covered calculus and an intro engineering course (possibly mechanics) in your first semester/quarter, you should be OK keeping on track for, or transferring out of engineering.</p>
<p>Other places, there’s higher admissions standards for different programs (like at ASU, you need higher scores to get into their engineering program). However, for a student even looking at top colleges, this wouldn’t pose a problem, even transferring to engineering after a semester or two, because the scores should allow for an automatic transfer.</p>
<p>^That was very helpful. Thanks.</p>