<p>I am a rising senior and I am contemplating applying to the M&T program. I am very much interested in their interdisciplinary studies involving engineering and business. The prospects seem very good. </p>
<p>However, I am also very much interested in pursuing engineering to it's full extent. After the M&T program I would hope to go on to earn a Ph.D in an engineering discipline. After that, I would choose a position/job based on interest, salary, etc. </p>
<p>As a person, I'm a fairly liberal arts type person, I enjoy exploring different subjects and delving into particular subjects and exploring them, particularly in science and math. I understand M&T does contain a fair amount of liberal arts studies, but the focus is on pre-professional. I am willing to engage in this program despite the only little liberal arts education if the prospects in my fields of interest are excellent. </p>
<p>What are the potential prospects for an M&T graduate who goes on to earn a Ph.D in engineering? What are potential earnings? Would the characteristics and interests I have stated above place me as a person fit for M&T?</p>
<p>Well, you are being somewhat contradictory here.</p>
<p>You say you want a liberal arts education, but are also interested in a dual degree engineering and business. M&T alongside Vagelos MLS is probably one the hardest academic programs at Penn simply because M&T people have to fulfill a ridiculous amount of credits. Easily 6 credits a semester, I know people in it who have done 7. The average for Engineering is only 5. </p>
<p>Because you have so many requirements and limited amount of time, your potential to explore random classes that seem interesting is alot more limited. You would be basically going suicidal if you are like, oh thats fine, I will just take 7 or 8 credits a semester…not very realistic if you want to have a life outside of academics.</p>
<p>M&T gives you a great deal of flexibility as to what you can do after graduation, but it seems like you are somewhat set upon going seriously into Engineering? If so, why would you be trying to do the business side too?</p>
<p>No one is gonna really be able to give you detailed prospects and salary such other than the program director. And he/she may not know or be reluctant to reveal it.</p>
<p>Basically…you need to make up your mind. You can’t want a liberal arts education at the same time wanting to pursue an engineering and business degree. That simply doesn’t work out well.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I thought I made it somewhat clear in my opening post, but I apologize if I didn’t. I am interested in a liberal arts education, but I am willing to sacrifice that interest for M&T if the prospects are good. Basically, liberal arts education doesn’t matter very much, so we can ignore that. </p>
<p>I am interested in getting a Ph.D in engineering so that I can delve into the subject (I really like the subject). Also, I understand most people from M&T go mainly into finance, for the money etc. I am very much interested in doing that as well, but if finance doesn’t work out for whatever reason, I would be able to earn a decent engineering position (due to a Ph.D).</p>
<p>I hope this clears up my foggy thinking a little bit.</p>
<p>If you’re that serious about engineering - then why not double major in engineering?
If you’re not sure, then do M&T.
If you only want to do business, go for Wharton. </p>
<p>If you get into Wharton, and you change your mind and want to do engineering too, just apply dual degree for SEAS (that’s what happened to me). It’s really easy to add dual degree engineering since no gpa cut off (or 3.0).</p>