<p>Hey guys so I'm international and currently a senior in a high school in Texas. I got in Aero-eng. for UT Austin fall 2014. Super exicted!!! However, I'm also pondering if to transfer to mechanical or petroleum engineering because I am very interested in both fields. Even though aerospace still appeals to me a lot, but it has some disadvantages for international students: security clearances, us citizenship..etc, and it's one of the more theoretical fields in engineering.
My questions are:
How's petroleum engineering valued at UT?
Should I go for mechanical engineering and focus on petroleum electives?
If to internal transfer from aero-to petro, how hard is it to get 3.8 GPA for the first year, while most of the basic chem/physics classes are credited by APs?</p>
<p>Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really appreciate your help!</p>
<p>Hi ImStarry!</p>
<p>I am a recently admitted UT PGE student. I just attended an informational session regarding admitted applicants into UT’s PGE Program. So I’m basing my answers mostly off of that and partially from other research I’ve done myself. So hopefully this comment gives you some insight! :)</p>
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<li><p>Petroleum Engineering is highly competitive to get into!! Especially at UT. They said that it is very difficult to transfer in out of their program. They only accept about 90 students per year and about 10-15 transfer students making their overall class size for the program to be about 100-110 students a year. They also said the minimum transfer GPA is a 3.9. They focus heavily on a quality rather than quantitative education in terms of number of students goes. So… PGE is highly highly valued at UT.</p></li>
<li><p>In terms of switching majors, I think Mechanical Engineering would be easier to get into and probably more similar to your current major. Most of the engineering courses at UT immediately jump into major specific courses beginning freshman year. So I would take that into consideration when choosing my classes. I would also visit each major’s website to compare the course guides to get a general idea of which classes are the same/different. I know the one for petroleum engineering so I’ll link it below. </p></li>
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<p><a href=“UT Cockrell School of Engineering”>UT Cockrell School of Engineering;
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<li>Internal transfer is very competitive, despite already being within the overall engineering program. I think the 10-15 transfer students mentioned above, also factors in non-engineering/engineering majors. So that’s that. Also I would shoot for a 3.9 instead of a 3.8 as that is the minimum requirement for PGE transfers. At least that’s what I remember it being. 
And in terms of achieving that particular GPA, despite the basic courses already being credited by AP scores… You still have to take other courses. AP scores/credit does not factor into GPA, just credit. So I’m not sure if that was your intended answer for your question, or maybe I interpreted it incorrectly. Either way! If you’re trying to switch into PGE, my advice is just to WORK HARD FOR THAT GPA. That’s the main factor that they consider in terms of transfers. Or at least that’s the impression they gave off.</li>
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<p>I hope this was helpful! And Best of luck in your endeavors! </p>
<p>Thanks! That’s really insightful. Any more comments from others? :)</p>
<p>@TheLifeOfaWalnut Hey! Can you chance me for UT-Austin Petroleum engineering? I have previous posts with all the relevant information.</p>