<p>Hi everyone, let me preface this by saying I don't go to the world's most rigorous high school (highest level classes are AP Calc AB and Physics B) but that I've excelled in everything I've taken and been accepted to both Carnegie Mellon and MIT's class of 2018. </p>
<p>I applied as MatSciE and I've been exposed to the major, so I know it interests me. I'm not too worried about handling a major in MechE or MatSciE because I've excelled with the physics and calculus and chemistry I've been exposed to thus far, including summer programs in engineering (but obviously it'll be really difficult).</p>
<p>I also think robots and electronics and circuits and programming are really interesting and cool. However, I'm not sure if I'm cut out for all of that stuff... I've been taking AP CompSci online and it's been difficult for me to keep up (I think the fact that it's online plays a large role in this). Honestly, electronics really excite me, but they also boggle my mind a bit. I definitely think that ECE sounds like the "coolest" and "most interesting" major. </p>
<p>I'm just worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up. Electronics and computers interest me SO much but I'm very intimidated by the difficulty of that major as opposed to more "tangible" engineering majors like MatSci or MechE. I've demonstrated ability in physics and chemistry and math but never really in programming or electronics or circuitry. Thoughts? I could try the "Intro to ECE" class at Carnegie Mellon to see if I'm "cut out" for it, but I'll have to make really good grades my first semester to get into that class. </p>
<p>A couple of Material Science types I know at Intel and Applied Materials work on stuff that make ECE sound like basket weaving… 8-|</p>
<p>It sounds you are more concerned about the programming/software component? standard ECE hardware /sysmets fodder is not any harder (pun intended) than MatSci and the like. Circuits are a bit aggravating but hey, if I passed it anyone can. Computer architecture type classes are pretty straightforward vs say Thermodynamics. I’ve taken both at decent schools, no comparison for me at least. Some of the ECE labs may be a bit tedious (does anyone use wirewrapping any more?). Electronics in general are complex but once you figure out the basics they’re pretty straightforward, at least the 200-300 level classes. Those days technology has advanced quite a bit in the labs. My former intern is taking some ECE microprocessor class and everyone orders some pre-built board (Raspberry Pi or Arduino or some such), they buy or build a few add-on boards, and that’s it. Then lots of code.</p>
<p>Look at the curriculums side by side and identify any classes that could be a concern. Don’t worry too much about AP CS. My younger girl is taking it and she’s doing all right. There’s a lot more to CompSci than AP CS.</p>
<p>CMU and MIT, that’s a hard choice. The culture of Cambridge, Mass versus the Pittsburgh Steelers X_X </p>
<p>I believe all freshman classes at MIT are pass / fail, so they will not impact your GPA. This should give you an opportunity to test different subjects and discover your strengths.</p>
<p>Plus you can watch a lot of the intro classes on MIT on Open Courseware and see if they freak you out or if they look reasonable. My younger one did the Intro Python class, nothing outlandish (the MACLISP they used to teach some decades ago, tho…)</p>