I am an electrical engineering major, and I am extremely unhappy. I have essentially no interest in the STEM field, and I am especially worried because in order to get into a top law school, I need a 3.7 GPA minimum, and if I want to stand out, I need higher than that. I managed to pull a 4.0 first semester, but my classes were easy and I know that they are just going to get harder and harder and I am very worried that I won’t be able to keep up. I know that a good GPA for an engineering major is a 3.0-3.5 but that is not good for t14 law schools, and according to the research I’ve done, it isn’t worth it to get a degree from a lower ranked law school, since it will be very difficult to find a job that will pay of my law school debt and the debt from my undergrad education. So even if I manage to get a 3.5, I will not be able to go to law school and be stuck as an engineer forever, which I really do not want. My parents want me to be in engineering because they worry that if I study something not STEM related and don’t get into a t14 law school, I will have a hard time finding a job. I understand that they want what is best for me, but I don’t know if I can continue with this for the next 3 and a half years or the rest of my life if I don’t get into a good law school. Does anyone have advice on convincing my parents that I will be fine in the future even if I don’t get into law school?
I can absolutely understand that your parents want to ensure that you are employable when you graduate and not putting all you “eggs in one basket” relying on getting in to law school. Having sound backup plans are important.
What would you like to switch too?
My own DD just switched her major from DPT to secondary education, she was afraid to do it (thought Dad would be mad). Ultimately most parents just want their kids to be happy and have a job that pays the bills. Be sure to give them a viable option, explain that you are miserable on your current path and show them a well thought out plan.
What other careers are OK for your parents if you aren’t an engineer? Start with that.
What kind of part-time jobs have you had in high school or so far in college? Are those dead ends or can they lead to something better? What kinds of paid internships can your college career center help you find for you possible other major(s) that could lead to a job after graduation?
What can you envision yourself doing if you don’t end up in law school? What kind of job do you think you’d like?
How do you know you want to go to law school?
Engineers I know who went to law school ended up being patent attorneys – which is not to shabby.
- What subjects and (non-law) career paths interest you?
- Is (top 14) law school your idea or is it something your parents are pushing on you?
You will have many more option after law school with that Engineering degree. Stick it out. Long-term happiness is more valuable than short-term happiness. Best of luck.
Do you truly hate what you are studying, or are you mainly concerned about your GPA dropping? If the former, yes, you should switch. No one should study something they hate for 4 years, no matter how employable they are. Why study a subject you dislike, then go on to practice in the field for the rest of your life? That would be crazy!
But if you don’t hate your field, and your only concern is that your GPA will slip, why not keep trying? A 4.0 first semester is outstanding. Even if you wind up with a 3.5, any good law school is going to realize how difficult an engineering degree is, so they aren’t going to penalize you for that.
If you’re interested in long term happiness, stay away from being a lawyer. When I escaped colleagues were envious. 
OP, this is such a sad post. Here is an obviously talented student manipulated by their parents into thinking that they will be nothing unless they achieve [fill in the blank]. It reeks of anxiety, and it is so far from the truth that it’s counterproductive.
Long-term happiness IS NOT more valuable than short-term happiness. Happiness is something that is a necessary part of healthy living. Happiness must encompass the journey too.
OP, nowhere in your post is there any indications of what interests you. I know happy lawyers, I know miserable ones. I know a lot of happy engineers, I know miserable ones.
I got a ride this morning from the Mercedes shop to the Enterprise car rental. The mechanic who gave me a ride left an MBA program to become a Mercedes mechanic because he loved cars. He seemed really happy with his decision.
There are so many paths for a happy fulfilling life. Figure out how to be happy BEFORE you figure out what you want to be.
And it is totally incorrect that you have to attend a top 14 law school to be able to pay off your loans. My SIL graduated into the 2008 recession from a 3rd tier law school, had her recruited job disappear before she passed her bar exam. She had to freelance and do house closings by day while tending bar by night, but she eventually got a lawyer job, eventually built a reputation, and is now a named partner at a local firm doing terrific.
The economy is terrific now. You should be optimistic!
Are you sure you need a 3.7 GPA to get into a law school? Schools know that a lower GPA at a quality engineering school is more difficult to achieve than a higher GPA on a business degree at a lower ranked university.
I think that starting law school with an engineering degree in your pocket is a cool thing.
If you really don’t like engineering school, you may find that you like law school even less. On top of that, you may find that you dislike being a lawyer even more than you dislike either school although I could probably overlook that myself in the case of being a patent lawyer as mentioned above. That said, if your parents are paying and you have accepted their generosity, do what they ask. When you have discharged your responsibility to them and have that job with a nice income, save up you money and go to whatever school in whatever program you want in your spare time or get married and start a family or whatever you like.
While there are certainly people who found success in law jobs and careers after graduating from a low rank law school, it is significantly more difficult than after graduating from a high rank law school.
Any law school worth attending should know the difference between a quality degree and a “quantity” degree. Take the undergraduate major that best compliments what you want to do with law (STEM or not), do the best you can to “ace” it, and then study law at a school that fits you. If you end up a 3.65 in engineering and someone gets a 3.7 in basket-weaving and they get in and you don’t, so be it. Maybe they specialize in “Basket Law”.
I am an engineer and our S just switched out of an engineering major for a Math degree (Statistics). Still STEM, but that really doesn’t matter if it is what he wants. He has a 3.6 GPA so it is not by necessity. I support his decision as it is his life and not mine. You may want to stress that to your parents, as no parent wants to step over their adult child’s dreams as those consequences they then have placed onto their shoulders are dire. Take their “advice” and decide for yourself. The last thing you or they want is regret.
Good luck.
Engineering is one of the most versatile and desirable majors for employers because engineers are problem solvers who are able to deconstruct complex issues into manageable components. That is the true value of an engineering degree. There are lots of routes to take afterwards too - management, sales , law ,entrepreneurship etc. etc. You are just in the beginning stages and it will get more interesting. If you find that it is too difficult or you don’t want to continue down the path, you should talk with your professors and engineering advisors (and other fields) to look for something that really lights your fire.
What you may not realize is that you are being trained to work in teams and presented with problems that are very difficult, or impossible to solve on your own in the short time frame typically given. This is an extremely valuable skillthat you won’t get all that often in other parts of the university. One semester in is not really a good time to make a decision, but a good time to explore. You clearly
You can major in engineering…and never actually work as an engineer. Do you know that?
OP is “extremely unhappy” and has “no interest in the STEM field.” Continuing in hard classes that they don’t like is a recipe for resentment, further unhappiness, and bad grades.
^ recipe for resentment, further unhappiness, and bad grades.
And ruin law school admission chance
There are more careers than just being a lawyer (even a patent lawyer- which by the way, many engineers despise once they finally get there) and an engineer.
OP- maybe start from a position of strength- figure out what you like, really lights your fire intellectually and then identify a list of 8-10 careers that people who study that end up doing? Just telling your parents you hate engineering and don’t want to ruin your GPA for law school seems like a weak start for a discussion.
Why the interest in law?
“Any law school worth attending should know the difference between a quality degree and a “quantity” degree.”
This is not good advice, unless you think that the law schools of Harvard, Chicago, Columbia, etc. aren’t worth attending. Bare numbers are the most important factor in the law school admission process. Sure, they know the difference between an engineering degree and an easy major at a mediocre school. But a 4.0 in fashion merchandising will give you much better options than a 3.5 in chemical engineering. “Legally Blonde” got that part right.
The OP is right to be concerned about bare naked GPA, and wise to aim for the highest-ranking law schools. EE students who have “essentially no interest” in STEM and are “extremely unhappy” are right to look for another major.
You need to major in something you enjoy (even if you do not like all of the classes needed). Do NOT stick with engineering unless you actively like the field. It does not matter what your parents think, we advise, that you are good at it. If you dislike a field do not major in it.
Dropping a field because you may not get tippy top grades is NOT a reason to abandon it. Of course the engineering courses will progress beyond the required intro and basic science courses needed. But, your knowledge and skills in these areas will also improve greatly, especially since you are getting a good foundation now. I was a chemistry major eons ago by choice and know how I felt about my skills- getting an A means mastery and prep for the next classes. I could have chosen an easier major for me but actively liked that field.
Thinking you need to get a high gpa and need to go to one of the elite law schools is faulty thinking. Yes, there are plenty of mediocre law schools. But- there are many excellent top tier law schools. You need to figure out your goals with a law degree. You will need to not only get a degree but pass a state bar exam. You need to decide which state you plan to practice in. You need to figure which type of law most interests you. Most lawyers will not make the big bucks. Going to a top ten/twenty law school will not mean you will automatically fall into a dream job that you enjoy.
Your parents’ choices do not enter into your decision. However, you need to go far beyond what you have stated in your post to make an intelligent decision. You need to completely drop the gpa/getting into any law school from the equation when determining which field to pursue. You state a dislike of STEM fields. Fine. The world needs plenty of others. You need to actively like a field and figure out what you will do with it. An example is a person who likes music and is good in it but not stellar compared to others in the field as this is an area with few opportunities. Many of those will take music courses but major in something they can use, ie get long term work in.
There is a surplus of lawyers. You need to imagine NOT getting into one of the top tier law schools- there are far too many capable students in competition for those spots. Many questions to ask yourself (no need to tell us your answers). Would you be satisfied with going to your instate law school? If not, why not? Is your desire really to be at the top or is it really to study the laws and become proficient in them?
You have big dreams at this stage in life. You are at an ideal place to examine those dreams and do a reality check. You should be able to go to your student career center and take some interest/aptitude type tests. I and some friends in chemistry did this as college sophomores- we all stuck with the major. I recall one test showed how I fit with those in given professions. You may discover your personality/likes/dislikes truly do not fit with those in engineering or other STEM fields. This can be ammunition to show your parents why you should not pursue these fields. On the other hand, there may be interesting revelations that can guide your search for a major and potential nonlaw careers.
It does not matter which college/U you are at. You presumably are at one that works for you, even if you want to change fields.
Go to the student career advising center as soon as you are back on campus. Make that appointment as soon as you can. Get advice from professionals at your school. They deal with students in your situation all of the time and know how to help.
In the meantime plan your spring schedule with options for continuing on your present course but add in courses that fit other majors. You will likely be able to meet degree breadth requirements by keeping the STEM classes and start a different major with the electives. I imagine social sciences and humanities classes will be useful to you in a switch of majors.