<p>Suppose you want to major in some sort of engineering field, and you meet the grades, scores and EC's of the average student at a school, however you have a few bad marks (2 or 3 in your freshman and sophomore year of high school) in science and math classes. Lets assume they are C's and are in honors courses. </p>
<p>Just to let you know i am applying to schools like UConn, Boston U, Rutgers, Clemson, etc.</p>
<p>3 questions:
-Even though you meet the standards of the average student, would you be less likely to get in because you performed poorly in your freshman and sophomore year in classes that pertain to your major?
-Would you still be just as likely to get in, but not get into the engineering department, or would you be less likely to get into the school in general?
-If I was applying to a school, have above average math SAT scores, and had a solid junior year in math and science, would they overlook the bad freshman and sophomore year?</p>
<p>if you’re bad with science and math, why do you want to do engineering?</p>
<p>I am not bad in math and science. They were just my 2 honors courses freshman and sophomore year and I was immature and slacked off. I straightened it out junior year and ended up with a high B in AP chemistry and an A in honors precalc. I am much better at math and science than english and history, but it was a motivational issue. However, this was not my question. I wanted to know how much it affects admissions.</p>
<p>Engineering is really brutal, to weed out a lot of slackers early on . My son is a Senior in Engineering and although he received only 1 B in 4 years , he had to work really hard . Engineering is almost as bad as Pre-med ,IMO . He had a 3.8 GPA from his HS . He received generous Merit Aid .He had a few weak grades in HS ,but was Captain of the Teen First Aid Squad ,and had impressive recs from the Squad and his teachers .</p>
<p>I am motivated, my GPA has gone up about 0.8 points on a 4.0 scale between this year (first semester) and last. Can someone please answer my question, I am fully aware of the impending difficulty of majoring in engineering. I just want someone to answer my questions.</p>
<p>Well, typically students change their majors a lot between the time they apply and the time they officially declare. Not too much stock is put into your major grades (unless you have an F or something, but that isn’t the case here). Engineering is a different animal, since the engineering students are typically better across the board than your standard applicants. In this case, I want to say that poor performance in core engineering subjects may raise some red flags. However, if you have shown significant improvement (B/C in ninth grade geometry and then an “A+” in multivariable calculus), you will be forgiven for your initial mishaps.</p>
<p>smorgasbord - What would you recommend? That I apply for something else than switch?</p>
<p>or should I apply as an undeclared? </p>
<p>NEW QUESTION: WOULD I BE MORE LIKELY TO GET IN AS AN UNDECLARED OR ENGINEERING MAJOR? If so by how much?</p>
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<p>That can depend on a few factors. How much of an improvement have you shown in your math/science courses? Do you have notable STEM accomplishments outside of academics, like going to nationals in Siemens? In that case, a mistake or two will not hurt you. People make mistakes all the time. </p>
<p>Second, would the school you’re accepted to/that you’re applying to allow you to transfer to engineering before you begin your first semester, or would you have to wait a while? In this case, it may be difficult to meet the requirements of an engineering curriculum and graduate on time. I know this is getting too far into the future, but it’s certainly something to consider.</p>
<p>Are you still having trouble with math/science? Identify where you’re weakest – is it truly not understanding concepts, or is it a factor that can easily be amended with an afternoon of hard focus (i.e. not knowing how to use a TI89 in a calculus course and spending a day or two learning its inner workings)? How far along are you in your math sequence? If you’re not at calculus by senior year and you struggle with math, engineering might not be for you. You may be severely underprepared.</p>
<p>If I were in your shoes, I would apply undecided to the schools you mentioned. Typically, they would put you in the arts and sciences school once you’re accepted. Spend some time taking gen-eds. Don’t even think about your major. What piques your interest when it’s time to declare? Or, ask yourself why you want to be an engineer right now. Is it because you heard you might get a good job, or is it because you’re deeply interested in acquiring and applying math and science to the creation of processes and products?</p>
<p>I love how the hypothetical lasted until the second paragraph…</p>
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<p>No. Just no. You can’t complete an engineering major in four years if you don’t start right away. It just doesn’t work.</p>
<p>It’s better to start in engineering and switch to something else.</p>
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<p>I mentioned that possibility earlier in my post. </p>
<p>I also asked if the OP is absolutely certain that he wants to do engineering. Based on what he said, it seems that he struggles with the basics that lead up to an engineering curriculum.</p>
<p>I am 90% certain I want to major in finance, and 10% in finance(but i doubt it). I have no conceptual problems with math OR science what so ever. I will be in calculus senior year and the improvement I made was a B in AP Chem and A in precalc. I do not have any incredible EC’s, but I do model UN, peer mentors, I play 2 instruments (guitar and bass), I have done habitat for humanity for 3 years, and I am currently applying to the drexel visiting scholars program which is a program where high school students can take college courses (I have not yet been accepted or denied from this program) and I play sports (though nothing I’d play at a collegiate level. </p>
<p>What would you recommend I do?</p>
<p>Do what will make you happiest, but I would apply to the schools you mentioned earlier. With the exception of Clemson, I’ve never heard of the others be referred to as a good engineering schools (maybe within the field they are?), so they may be very open to students who are applying as engineers.</p>
<p>What I meant was should I apply as an undeclared and apply internally? Also, would that be easier or harder?</p>
<p>Like I said earlier, schools like BU really want engineers. I’d apply straight to engineering. For Clemson, I’d apply to engineering as well, if your grades/scores are good enough. If you apply internally, like I mentioned earlier, there may be a lot fo red tape to sort through before you get to engineering, so it depends. Where do you think you have the best chances of getting in?</p>
<p>Your intended major doesn’t matter unless the engineering school is more selective than the school as a whole. At most schools, they probably won’t even consider your intended major in their selection, since more students than not will end up majoring in something other than what they put down as their intended major.</p>