I hope that some current ISE’s will respond to your post. However, I would like to answer a few points.
It’s in line with other engineering majors. It can be a struggle to land an internship, before your junior year, but that’s the case for most any engineering major.
GPA does matter, as you’re competing against other engineering graduates. You’ll want to keep it over a 3.0, and in line with the average “engineering” GPA at your school. You’ll want to limit your options to ABET programs.
Very little physics or chemistry is required, other than the ones required in your core classes. However, it’s a math intensive program (like any engineering program).
No. That’s way overblown. Some ME’s learn the concepts while working for a company and then move into an IE role, but very few ME’s are hired out of college to fill an IE position.
It’s like any other engineering major. The dropout rate varies by school and has more to do with the academic strength and study habits of the student than the program. It’s a rigorous program, but with good study habits and a decent understanding of math, it’s very doable.
Most ISE students have an affinity for business concepts. The ISE curriculum will include classes taught by the college of business. If an ISE student decides to switch majors, business/finance/accounting/marketing are all popular majors.
Another parent here. ISE is a flexible major and there are good opportunities out there. But, you do increase your opportunities by maintaining a good GPA, attending Career Fairs, doing a co op or internship, etc. And you do need to complete the initial classes that any engineering major does In math and science.
Some kids in ISE do end up at consulting firms, but there are placements in many types of industries. Take a look at post grad surveys to see where ISE students end up (Virginia Tech, for example, has detailed surveys available online). Here is an example of the VT ISE program but also look at the curriculum , surveys, at schools that interest you. https://ise.vt.edu/academics/undergrad/bsise.html. Click on ISE Department section for more info about ISE and to see typical courses.
My son is an ISE grad, enjoyed his program, and it has worked out very well. He started in an engineering and scientific research organization and moved on to a startup. Good luck!
Graduate IE here married to another graduate IE. IE is a very wide area of specializations, from manufacturing systems (her) to ergonomics to user computer interaction (me) to optimization to quality to safety to you name it. Purdue had at least 5 tracks when we were there. Some are easier to find a job than others.
It is math intensive but more of the fun kind of math, I mean, spending a month analyzing random number generators? Some are annoyingly difficult - pallet stacking problem - and so on.
It would help to pick a minor in an application area that is in demand. Wife knows several IE’s who are into IT consulting. I would love to make a startup that analyzes performance of small business practices for efficiency - not huge multinationals, but mom and pop stores, doctor practices… Is there money there? no idea.