Infinite Loop - Please Help

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello friends.</p>

<p>I have two simple questions. I'll try to be brief. Please don't skip over this - I'd really, really appreciate the help.</p>

<p>I am a High School senior, graduating this year, who has been accepted to A&M University. Unfortunately I applied too late and the engineering school was full already (of course).<br>
My first choice major was Electrical Engineering while my second was Mechanical. I am adamant about taking one of these two courses, but to be particular, I definitely want to do Electrical Engineering.</p>

<p>Now...as I mentioned, I applied too late and was admitted to the University, but they are asking me to choose a new major (and 2nd choice major) in place of my Engineering major choices.</p>

<p>For my first question, I tried to ask an admissions officer(counselor? secretary? Not sure what position they were) and, after listening to my lengthy explanation, they simply redirected me. The person I was redirected to also heard out my entire problem and then told me, once again, I was telling the wrong person, and redirected me. The third person listened to me explain my plight, and finally told me, "I'm not the person who can answer that for you, I can give you someone's email to try, but they might redirect you to someone else..."
This infinite loop seemed impassable and I don't know what to do now. So I've come here to ask all of you.</p>

<p>First of all, I'd like to know what my chances are of transferring into Engineering at A&M after a year of studying there on generic courses. Does anyone have any honest idea? I know it's nigh-impossible for the Business school, but I heard it's possible for Engineering. I'd be keeping my grades as high as possible, of course. This all being said, I want an honest and accurate idea of what my chances are, as long as my grades are as high as possible. Keep in mind I'll be attending A&M the entire time this upcoming year, and hopefully switching into the Engineering major - not transferring from an outside college.</p>

<p>I intended to do General Studies and then attempt to transfer into engineering my second year, but I've realized now that freshman can no longer sign up for General studies. This leads to my second question. What are the best courses for me to sign up for, for my first year, before I attempt to transfer into Engineering? Because General Studies is out of the question, I honestly have no idea what to pick. Ideally, I imagine a major that is at least somewhat math-based would improve my chances for the Engineering transfer, but maybe it makes no difference at all?
Either way, I've no idea. I'd really like to know, from you guys, what majors I should take to fill my first year before attempting to transfer into Engineering, and then - ultimately - what are my chances of making it in?</p>

<p>(I don't think these are relevant, because I'll be applying for the transfer after a year of being an A&M student, but for what it's worth; my high school rank was in the 19th percentile (top quarter) and my SAT was 2180 (~1460 Math & Reading).)</p>

2

<p>You can ask the department chairman of Engineering what courses you should take to up your chances fo making an internal transfer into engineering, after checking the catalogue and web site for that information. You should look at what the sample course are for those who were accepted into the major, what they are supposed to be taking as freshman, and mimic their schedule as close as possible. The big question is whether you can take the freshman engineering course, whether it’s even open to you. A math or physics major would pretty much cover the same courses, except for that Engineering 1 and 2 courses. Some schools will open up those first level courses to everyone, some will not. I don’t know whether A&M will. That’s the big question. The physics and calc will be easy to take–it’s the engineering specific courses that are the problem if they are closed or only open on a space available basis to non engineering majors.</p>

3

<p>I’ve checked, and the Engineering courses are restricted to Engineering majors. My best option, then, is to take something that simulates the Engineering program, I suppose? Do you have anything in particular in mind?</p>

4

<p>Way back many eons ago, when I was an undergrad, it was fairly easy course-wise to switch between engineering and physics or comp sci. It might require an extra summer to catch up, but it was fairly common, and given that many, many people graduated in 4.5 to 5 years, not starting in engineering didn’t really make a difference.</p>

5

<p>A&M should have statistics for the GPAs of students transferring into each engineering discipline. That will give you a good idea of the grades you need to maintain your freshman year.</p>

6

<p>MaineLonghorn - where can I find that information? I keep searching for these sort of things but, to be honest, despite how helpful the website is supposed to be, it’s seeming overly complex to navigate and very unhelpful in regards to this specific issue. </p>

<p>Do you have a link to the specific page you’re referring to, MaineLonghorn?</p>

7

<p>I’d suggest contacting the College of Engineering directly with your questions. I’d also suggest coming up with a short version of your story so that it is easier for people to help you. :slight_smile: A brief email with well defined questions might be a good start. </p>

<p>Looks as if each dept in the college of engineering has their own academic advisers. I think the advisers for electrical engineering would be a good place to start.–sounds as though you may have previously spoken to general advisers. GL!</p>

<p><a href=“Advising | Texas A&M University Engineering”>http://engineering.tamu.edu/electrical/academics/advising&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>Thank you very much, everyone.</p>