<p>I'm a high school student seriously considering Chemical Engineering...but it's not quite that simple. I'm taking an ungodly amount of college credit while in high school (>80 CHS). The best engineering school in my state will accept all of it, as long as the last like 30 credits are earned there. The school is Top 100--maybe not the typical CCer school, but I think its ranking is brought down because it is separated into colleges in different fields, including agriculture.</p>
<p>Because I didn't receive any federal aid during high school it is my understanding I can stay at a four-year school for 4 more years, and the school itself doesn't charge extra tuition until you exceed 110% of the courses you need to satisfy the minors and majors you've declared (which there's no limit to).</p>
<p>I really love chemistry, and what one can do with it...everything around us is made up of these small things called atoms--which is an amazing idea. But I also love law...I've been what's called a teen court attorney and I've prosecuted and defending persons in real cases, some of which started as felonies. I'm trying to get an internship with the DA or another lawyer to gain more insight, but it's definitely something I think I'd like to do. At the same time, I'd be fine with being in a lab, or anywhere else working with chemicals. I was really excited this Christmas when searching for a lab coat. I'm taking the ChemE courses I need senior year and the summer after to qualify to matriculate into the ChemE major right before the Fall after high school graduation--and to see if I really like it that much.</p>
<p>Lastly, with the aforementioned "ungodly" credit hours, I can do pretty much whatever I want. My first thought is to stay for 3 years and explore my areas of greatest interest before law school...with several degrees. Would it be better if I graduate in 2 and "get on" with my life, or stay the whole 4-years...so I'd be the same age as everyone else, and have explored all of my interests?</p>
<p>I'm afraid that staying 2 years would mean I'm not as prepared for law/graduate admissions, and would mean I'd be discriminated against for my age. Staying longer though, I'm afraid several undergraduate degrees would make me seem like an "egg head," and may hurt me in the job market.</p>
<p>I’m an Electrical Engineering senior who similarly came in with 2+ years of AP credit. I decided to do a dual degree in Music and graduate in 4 years. It was a great decision for me, allowing me to enjoy school and doing things I actually like doing. I am considering law school and I think that the dual degree demonstrates my ability to be able to think critically in many disciplines for law school admissions. The actual dual degree does not serve any significant boost. I’ve had interviews/offers from many top engineering companies and can attest that having multiple degrees doesn’t hurt you in (at least, electrical) engineering job markets.</p>
<p>If I post a thread that is general, I receive well-intended responses that do not address my real questions. I end up constantly having to post explanations and answer questions, with the result that even the most well-meaning user gives up. Instead, I end up trying to include a ton of information to preempt this line of questioning, which results in a blob of seemingly irrelevant text. </p>
<p>The third paragraph was intended to indicate the steps I am taking, and the experience I have to determine that I’m looking in the right fields. My second post expressed my frustration with a lack of replies, typical of my threads. CCers are happy to respond to the nth “What GPA/LSAT combination do I need for HLS,” or “Can I get into Princeton with a 1500/2400,” with a snarky answer or an insult and a link to a stickied thread. I don’t live in a town with persons to whom I can address these questions. The advice I need is not something one finds easily by reading books, or looking online, it’s a result of years of experience.</p>
<p>Federal aid is very generous and my brother is left with very little in loans after the maximum pell grant and campus-specific aid. Although I will need to confirm this, the ChemE/Chem program and the program for BS Engineering/BS/BA in humanities are both designated 5 year programs. After matriculation, I should be able to receive an extra $4,000 a year in federal money through a SMART grant. I also won’t go over the institutional 110% of program penalty of 25% tuition surcharge.</p>
<p>It appears then that my finances should be in order, and if it’s not going to hurt me in admissions and job-placement, I feel a lot more comfortable staying the three years. </p>
<p>Thank you for your advice =)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I’m not saying I’m owed advice, I’m pointing out a trend I see.</p>
<p>You know - college is so much more than going to classes and gaining credit. For now, I assume you have been commuting to the college and gaining credits while taking college classes. I did that too - absolutely nothing wrong with it. </p>
<p>Graduating in two years may look like you can start your life early, but how well have the courses you took matched with the curriculum of that major in your school? Have you considered that certain courses at that University may only be offered for one semester (fall or spring) and thus affect your eligibility for a full time student for that semester? Ask yourself these kind of questions.</p>
<p>If I were in your position, I would double major and explore a little more. As an engineer, you probably won’t be using every skill you learn in college. People forget skills because in college - face it - kids are pretty much cramming before the test to beef up their scores and then forgetting the information. Its not great, but its what happens. What an engineer goes to college for is to network himself and earn internships that will help get him or her into great career choices in the future. </p>
<p>In addition, I assume you have taken all the basic courses. This means you will jump straight into the difficult courses. If you can do it - great! But a lot of the networking that I have mentioned is key to doing well in those classes. You will VERY QUICKLY need to be finding friends with similar work ethics, in addition to adjusting yourself to a new roommate, annoying kids who stay up to 3 a.m. in the morning joking around…etc.</p>
<p>Right now there is a barrier between school and home for you. When you get to college there no longer is a barrier, your school IS you home. Taking the most difficult career path, doing the most difficult courses, AND in the hardest transition in your life is really tough.</p>
<p>I’m sure that you want to succeed in life and do it the fastest, but I would question whether or not you want to do this. I agree with the people here, but I also offer you kind insight (I hope).</p>