As a rising senior I’ve had my eyes on engineering since I fell in love with Physics this year (Took AP 1, taking AP C next year). I’ve always gotten top grades in my science and math classes and have had a passion for STEM. But the only ‘engineering’ class my school offers is an intro one that most kids take when they’re missing a credit. I feel like I’m in over my head by applying to engineering schools when I’ve never done any /real/ engineering. I’ve fixed things before but not without googling it or watching videos first. What do you guys think?
Students who enter college having taken any engineering courses previously are in the extreme minority.
As @boneh3ad says, they don’t expect that at most schools. MIT probably prefers it, but would not expect it.
It is good that you are taking Physics C. I assume you are also taking calc AB or BC?
The further you can get in calculus the better. Try to learn Physics and calculus well because you will use it in engineering.
Is there a FIRST Robotics team at your school or nearby ?
That would give you some hands on experience at building something.
Engineering schools love to see something like that on the application.
And it will balance out the theory you learn in class, with some practical hands on experience
It won’t hurt you.
I only did AP Science and Math Courses with absolutely no academic extra curriculars besides Student Gov and Varsity Sports and did fine getting into engineering schools. You will be ok.
Most college engineering curriculum tracks start with science (physics & chemistry), math, toobox courses(programming,statistics,labs,elementary design) and writing. The truth is that in order to achieve in an engineering course, you need to be proficient at all of these core courses. Also, engineering courese are major specific. Those taught in HS are great learning experiences but are often at a technical school level and would need to be repeated to include core math and science. Think of it the same way as taking Physics C without any knowledge of calculus.
Just keep exploring the different fields of engineering and create your own toolbox . In a couple of years, you will need to choose one.
" I’ve always gotten top grades in my science and math classes"
" …and have had a passion for STEM."
These are the two most important things. You will do well.