<p>Dd is trying to decide between a major in physics or engineering. She's spoken with a couple of physicists, toured a couple of private sector labs, and will be touring engineering and physics departments at schools to which she's been accepted over the next few weeks. She hopes to continue on to grad school, but is worried about employability in case that isn't possible. She really likes science and math, but has always been a strong liberal arts student, having had a classical/Great Books high school education (loves literature and the arts, excellent writer and speaker, seems to be a natural teacher & leader). She does seem to prefer theory over hands-on tinkering, but she does like hands-on as well. Does anyone have any advice?</p>
<p>If she is admitted to the premier techy schools she will not have to declare a major/option until 2nd year. She will hopefully have a preference after Core classes.</p>
<p>So far she’s been admitted to 2 big state universities as an engineering student and 1 LAC as an intended physics major. One state school is offering a near full-ride, but she had to name a specific engineering major, and they start right in on it. The other she was allowed to apply as engineering undecided, but we’re not sure if she’ll get any financial aid. Both also have excellent physics departments, so perhaps she could wait and see. The LAC has a very good Physics dept., but only a ‘pre-engineering’ program. This school is offering full tuition and would allow her to also get a good liberal arts education along with the science and research opportunities. She applied RD to another state univesity that is a selective ‘liberal arts’ school that also has no engineering, but does have a physics degree, but she might not get accepted there. Anyway, she does need to try to narrow it down before choosing a school.</p>
<p>I’m at CSCC right now, but when I transfer to OSU I will be majoring in both ECE and engineering physics (which is the same as a physics degree, but with engineering courses tacked on). Since I love both subjects, this lets me do both.</p>