<p>Hello all,
I am currently an undergraduate physics major at Loyola University Chicago, specifically in the dual degree 3-2 engineering program in which one completes a physics major in 3 years and then matriculates to an affiliated engineering school, such as Washington University in St. Louis or Columbia University New York or Notredame University, to complete the remainder 2 years in engineering courses, in which, in the end, they will absolve with a degree in physics and engineering, all in a total of 5 years.
What I am contemplating is, should I stay at Loyola and complete this program, or, after sophomore year, transfer to Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering and just get the engineering degree in 4 years? I thought Id mention that Id like at least a master's in engineering. Also, would completing my M.E. at NU provide me better chances of being admitted to their masters program in engineering? </p>
<p>We cannot tell you what to do, only what to consider. Like consider why you chose a 3-2 program in the first place and are the reasons still valid? Did you really want both a physics and an engineering degree, not generably do-able in 4 years at any school? Is the total tuition cheaper or more expensive this way for you? Recognize that even if all credits count, transferring may not enable you to graduate in 4 years. Sometimes prerequisites are not met and can delay the process.<br>
As to your second question, graduate schools like to obtain a diversity of students and try not to favor their own undergraduates. If you perform outstandingly well or started research early with a professor it would improve your chances (not only there but at other graduate schools). Many engineers these days get a job after obtaining their bachelors degree and then get the company to help them pay for graduate school. And it seems that admission odds are improved when you have a company’s backing (they know you are full pay).</p>
<p>Go to the 'College Search" forum and see today’s discussion on Engineering options, including 3/2 programs. In my post there, I opined that if you’re a person who doesn’t easily see the light at the end of the tunnel, it can be difficult to successfully finish a 3/2 program; in the alloted semesters/quarters. That disrupts your eventual entry into the working world.</p>
<p>Thank you EngrMom for your reply. The reason that I am in the 3-2 program is that I was initially a pre-med student at Loyola. After a semester of biology and chemistry, I realized that being a doctor is not for me since I was quite apathetic to Biology. Chemistry was alright. So this where I stand right now. I know that Northwestern is a much better university than Loyola in many aspects, including math and math heavy sciences such as Physics. I am also awear of some courses not being accepted which may cut me back maybe a semester. As for my financial position, part of the tuition will be covered in loans. Goind to Northwestern will mean more loans, but I deem it worth it. Also, Northwestern is the engineering program I am looking to go to in the second part of the 3-2 program anyhow. A Phd Biochemist, whom I am acquainted with, has strongly suggested that I go to Northwestern if I am admitted as a transfer student because the University is very wealthy, has a lot more to offer in terms of programs and undergrad research, and provides a better education than Loyola. Any more advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time!</p>
<p>Thank you LakeWashington for your input. I am not worried about completing the program as I have the ambition to go pre-med, an initial interest. I just desire to get the best out of my education in a timely manner. Are there really advantages in job applications for those who have a physics and engineering degreee as opposed to those who only have an M.E.? Aslo, if you could post me a link to the forum you mentioned, Id appreciate it. Thank you!</p>
<p>Any more inputs would be greatly appreciated, especially from those of you who are engineers or have some other connection to engineering! I am currently a sophomore, and will begin my application process to Northwestern this winter, if I decide to go through with the transfer. Please, let me know your opionions. Thank you!</p>
<p>One thing to consider - why do you want to have double major? This is very important. If you can enjoy your life and your coursework simultaneously, isn’t graduate school a better opinion instead?</p>
<p>If you have a good reason, 3-2 is a good choice. But like everyone said, it isn’t easy.</p>
<p>The reasons I am considering a double major are as follows: I may like physics enough to get a degree in it. Also, if I do not get admitted to Northwestern as a transfer student, I really do not have any other choice than to complete the dual degree program because I am not interested in any other engineering school in the area and my conditions are such that I want to remain in my hometown, that being in the greater chicago land.
These are my motives, more or less. I have considered graduate school, but i’m not quite dead set on it. Any how, what are the advantages of completing the dual degree program and are they worth it? Would transfering to Northwestern be ultimately the best decision, if admitted? It may seem obvious that would be the best decision, but I would like to know specific reasones as to why. Thank you!</p>
<p>From your response, I question:
Why do you want to transfer?
Well since you mentioned you want a graduate degree in engineering (first post), you should consider what you can do with that extra year. 3-2 means 5. You can graduate with physics in 4-years (or even earlier, if you have enough AP credits).
The additional year from 3-2 program can be used to attend graduate program. While it is true that you might have to take certain pre-requisites for graduate engineering, if your undergraduate isn’t engineering, I think a physics major would need little pre-requisities. The math pre-requisites are completed by the time you graduate with a physics degree. I don’t know much about other pre-requisites, you can simply look at the graduate program and see if there is any. </p>
<p>I think it’s always a good idea to receive a master degree to help bolster your knowledge. That’s my personal (as a student) perspective. </p>
<p>The advantage of dual program? With two degrees? I don’t know. It doesn’t seem the 3-2 has any REAL GOOD advantage over completing a single degree on time. Yes, if you want to do engineering as a career, it might be great to receive engineering degree early though. </p>
<p>Usually people do 3-2 for science + liberal art degrees. In another word, music and physics, just to name one. If you love music you might be happy with the 3-2 dual program. But as in the case with two science degrees (let’s count engineering as a science degree), the 3-2 seems doom and not so convincing. That is probably the intention of 3-2. You will receive a B.A. and a B.S or B.E. Note B.A. physics only means you are encouraged to take more liberal art courses, unlike B.S. physics with a little bit less flexibility with the GE and liberal art curriculum.</p>
<p>Thank you for your input! Regarding the dual degree program at Loyola University Chicago, you do get a BS in Physics and a BS in Engineering all in 5 years total. Heres the link: [Physics</a> & Engineering- Loyola University Chicago](<a href=“http://www.luc.edu/physics/engineering/]Physics”>Physics (BS) + Engineering (BS): Department of Physics: Loyola University Chicago) I wanted to reaffirm that I wanted to know if there truly is an advantage in job applications of having 2 degrees, physics and engineering, rather than just an engineering degree. My current contemplation is whether I should stay put at Loyola and complete the 3-2 program, or transfer to Northwestern for my junior and senior year and finish their with an engineering degree, hoping that I would not need more time at Northwestern to get the engineering degree than a total of 4 years total undergrad. Any more advice would be appreciated! Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>My understanding is that liberal arts colleges promote 3/2 engineering college partnerships to prospective students who desire to experience their education in a small(er) college setting, as opposed to a large public university, which are the lion’s share of U.S. engineering departments. Obviously it’s a trade off; 3 years of small classes and individual attention coupled with an additional year [or more] of undergraduate study at the engineering college where you may have to take a heavier than normal load of courses than your new classmates, whom started their engineering studies as freshmen.</p>
<p>Well, is their an advantage in job applications when you have a physics degree alongside your engineering degree instead of just the engineering degree? Also, in about 5 years, one could complete a B.S. and an M.S. in engineering. Is the M.S. in engineering superior for job applications than a B.S. in Physics and Engineering? My guess is yes, but I am not sure. THank you for all your help!</p>