IMPORTANT: confused about engineering major

<p>I've started applying to colleges as a biomed. engineer. I'm on the schools robotics team and have gotten first place at the International level, qualed at the international level at another competition, and state qualed every year. I have a real knack at this and was the only girl to make the team and I'm co-captain. I really like biology, aced anatomy, engineering and biotechnology classes, but I've had problems with math classes, and it shows on my transcript. Mostly bc I didn't study, but I'm afraid to apply as an engineering major for this reason. I made a 32 on the ACT. I have around a 3.5 GPA. I have really great ECs besides this, which mostly express my passion for community service. I've traveled to a third world country to help children. I hold positions in every activity I do. Do I have any chance at getting into schools as an engineering major? I was thinking of CMU, UMich, UIllinois, Georgia Tech., UT, and considering UPenn or John Hopkins.</p>

<p>PLEASE HELP!!!!</p>

<p>If you had problems with Mathematics. You’re not gonna survive engineering anyways.</p>

<p>@Sky I’m not an idiot, just a few B’s. Just never bothered to study much</p>

<p>What level were the math classes?</p>

<p>Because of the math classes and your GPA a few of those colleges might be a stretch. Either way I would keep your hopes up and maybe add into your essay what you’re doing to get better grades in your math classes or studying additional math in your spare time. It’s one thing to get a few B’s it’s another to take the extra initiative to show what you’re willing to do outside of school</p>

<p>Good luck either way!!</p>

<p>PaP everything. I’m taking both dual stat and dual differential equations this year. I studied for the Math 2 subject test as well, and hopefully I got 700+. But thank you!!!</p>

<p>Your mathematics is fine for engineering and biomedical engineering is usually less mathematics intensive than other engineering fields. You will just have to put in some extra effort to make sure you do well in those classes, however, if you are motivated to be an engineer, then that should not be a problem. I do think that those schools are all a bit of a reach for your GPA and test scores. You might look into smaller [Association</a> of Independent Technological Universities: AITU](<a href=“http://theaitu.org%5DAssociation”>http://theaitu.org) schools for other options where you are pretty much going to get in with some merit aid.</p>

<p>Just a final note though, look into what job opportunities are available in Biomedical Engineering before you make the commitment. Most of the students in our program at IIT go on to further study (graduate degree or medical school) instead of getting jobs immediately after the B.S. Other, more traditional engineering disciplines have more job opportunities for B.S. degree holders.</p>

<p>physics is more important than the mathematics. As an engineer you will be using physics much more compared to pure math. now you have to realize that physics is a lot of math, but applied math. Robotics is really just a dumbed down version of computer science. Sorry but I have to say this because I am on my school’s robotics team and it’s just easy as pi. </p>

<p>Sources: going for engineering</p>

<p>For UMich and UIUC engineering, your GPA is really low (avg 3.9). UMich values GPA a lot. Hopefully your course rigorous level may help a little bit. But your ACT is also slightly below their admission average (mid 50 31-34). So they are likely low reach for you. Have you considered Purdue?</p>

<p>@xray That’s actually really reassuring haha. I have amazing essays too, so hopefully it’ll even out a bit? And I’m founder and/or president of like a million clubs. Just being hopeful, but I’ll definitely look into other places. BME is supposed to be expanding greatly over the next ten years, especially in the state I live in. I’m pretty sure this is what I want to be.</p>

<p>@john I disagree, only the programming is lol. Especially in larger scale competitions, the challenges are usually complex and demanding of several different technical aspects.</p>

<p>@bhillcsho I actually have, but I just don’t really see myself in there. It has a later app deadline so I was thinking of just applying after probably getting rejected everywhere else haha… sigh.</p>

<p>Not to be a jerk, but you shouldn’t have to study at all to get As in anything math related that’s offered in high school. With the execption of Linear/Multivariable.</p>

<p>Also, my school is college-prep. and super competitive with an emphasis on STEM, so idk maybe that’ll help</p>

<p>@peter lol sorry not everyone’s a math whiz.</p>

<p>@Petersuu - I have seen a lot of students who breezed through high school math and then couldn’t make it in College Calculus. There is more involved in succeeding than how “smart” a student is. If he/she does not have good study skills and is unable to organize oneself, then success is in doubt.</p>

<p>@twerkyturkeey99 - If you work hard at your studies, you will be fine. Good Luck!</p>