<p>I'm a senior in high school and I'm currently trying to choose a major to put on my college applications. I know that I want to go into something science-related, but I still haven't decided about the specifics.
Right now, I'm considering majoring in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, physics, or a type of engineering. Which major would maximize my chances at getting in?
Also, is it better to declare a major now and change later if I need to or just choose one going in?
Also, if I choose to major in engineering, I would have to apply to the College of Engineering for a lot of universities. Would that increase or decrease my chances at getting into the university overall?
And in case it matters, I'm an Asian girl applying to Stanford, UMichigan, and Ohio State EA. I'm also considering to apply to Rice, Columbia, WashU, Harvard, Cornell, and UPenn for regular decision.</p>
<p>Engineering schools are usually more competitive than LAS. If you are not sure you want to study engineering, you are probably not for engineering. Female applicants do have advantage for most engineering school (except Stanford).</p>
<p>
I don’t think that is true. Students often get no experience or exposure to engineering in high school so they often have no idea if it is something they are interested in or would be good at. And that cuts both ways - students who rule out engineering without any basis but also kids who start out in engineering majors and change their minds because it is different than what they thought it would be.
I would recommend this student do some research on engineering fields to learn more about the options. If OP is on the fence, she could start in engineering and switch out. It is easier to switch out than switch in.</p>
<p>Since engineering colleges in larger schools often limit the number of admits, you probably want to apply there if you have an inclination toward engineering. You should probably apply to an undecided engineering or general engineering major and then make your decision after your first year of classes. If you decide engineering is not for you after that, it should not be too hard to transfer into the science college.</p>
<p>BeanTownGirl, I was considering engineering as a major because I took AP Physics my junior year and I really liked it and I know that engineering has a lot of ties with physics. I might want to apply to med school though, so would majoring in engineering ruin my GPA and my chances at getting in?
Billcsho, specifically for Stanford, would majoring in a science, engineering, or undecided increase my chance at getting in?</p>
<p>It is true that you may transfer out if you find you don<code>t really like engineering, but it is usually for those who want to study engineering originally. I would be surprised to see a student not really interested in engineering but give it a try just in case. For students who want to study engineering, they will prepare themselves in high school for instance taking AP Calculus, Physics C, and/or Computer Science. If you do not have the intention to study engineering at all, you will have a horrible time even if you were accepted.
Don</code>t pick a major because of the likelihood to be accepted, although there are some less competitive programs. You may apply undecided.</p>
<p>Billcsho, my high school doesn’t offer Computer Science but I’ve taken AP Calc and Physics. I do have an interest in engineering, but I feel like as of now, I don’t know enough about it to really know if I’d want to stick with it as a major. That’s why for now, I want to consider either engineering or another science and I want to go in with whatever major would give me the best chances for admissions. At Stanford, is there flexibility with taking classes in different its schools?</p>
<p>OP – You sound like you want a STEM major that keeps your options open.</p>
<p>Here’s my take on these things. Math is the most basic STEM subject. Physics is largely applied math. Many other STEM areas can be viewed as applied physics – all engineering, much of chemistry, more biology than you might expect, etc. In sum, I see physics as the ‘Liberal Arts’ of the STEM world. </p>
<p>To me, computer science is largely about developing the skills needed to apply the knowledge learned in other STEM areas. As such, computer science can make for a great second/double major. </p>
<p>As I see it, the problem comes down to two issues: (1) general vs specific education and (2) going to graduate school. </p>
<p>Engineering may be the best STEM choice IF you want to land a solid job immediately upon graduation without needing to attend graduate school. The downside to choosing engineering is that the curriculum specializes in the sophomore year. So, it’s harder to switch out later on without incurring the ‘penalty’ of credits that don’t really help much. (This can even happen when changing from one engineering major to another.)</p>
<p>Physics may be the best STEM choice IF you wish to keep as many options open for as long as possible AND you are open to attending graduate school in the area you eventually choose (some type of engineering, physics, medicine, law, finance, etc.). Physics is a ‘generalist’ major in the STEM world. (One does not get a job as a physicist with just an undergrad in physics, but undergrad physic majors do get jobs in engineering, IT, etc. Physics as a ‘generalist’ undergraduate major need not lead to nowhere. It can if you don’t specialize a little bit along the way though.)</p>
<p>In recognition of the above, many schools are now offering joint programs in Physics and Chemistry, Physics & Biology, Physics and Aerospace Eng, Physics and Nuclear Eng, etc. Many physics departments (Cornell, Illinois, Texas, etc.) have all embraced the idea that they can grow their departments by adding more choices to the physics menu. A few schools (e.g., Illinois), even offer Engineering Physics as a major. (Some physics departments, however, are still stuck in the last century and view their mission as only one of replicating themselves via sending students off to get a PhD in physics. So, check into it before you apply.)</p>
<p>Since my sons are unsure of what they really want to do long-term, I have ‘nudged’ them toward physics with a concentration in computational physics – a very useful blend of physics and computer science. It is my vision for them to maximize their STEM skill set as undergrads and then attend graduate school in the subject area they want to specialize in. Naturally, this means I also get to help them pay for graduate school … but I am willing & able to do that and they appear open to the idea of graduate school.</p>
<p>* I might want to apply to med school though, so would majoring in engineering ruin my GPA and my chances at getting in?*</p>
<p>My son majored in Chemical Eng’g and is now in med school. it was a risk, because some eng’g students’ GPA’s suffer. It’s up to you. If you’re dedicated, and choose a school where hard work can result in a high GPA, then eng’g can be a good choice because you have a “back up” career if you decide med school isn’t for you.</p>
<p>*I took both the SAT and ACT, and I can’t decide whether or not I should send in both to colleges, or just one of them.
My SAT super-score is 2320 (Math 800, Critical Reading 720, Writing 800) and my ACT composite is 35 (Math 35, English 35, Reading 33, Science 36). But I’m worried about my ACT score because I only got an 8 on the essay. How much do colleges care about the ACT essay? On the SAT, I got a 10 on the essay.</p>
<p>I’m planning on applying EA to Stanford and I’m also considering applying to schools like Rice, WashU, Harvard, Brown, UMich, Cornell, MIT, Case Western, and UPenn.*</p>
<p>What are your financial safety schools? (schools that you know will accept you and you know FOR SURE that you have all costs covered?)</p>
<p>^ mom2collegekids
Where did you quote the ACT/SAT scores part from? I did not see that in this thread.</p>
<p>OP:
If you are considering medical school, you probably want to take a pre-med track. There are some chemE and BioMedE students go to medical school afterward, but that may not be a very wise move. Having more biology and biochemistry background would be more helpful.</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>I got the scores from the OP’s post in another thread.</p>
<p>There are some chemE and BioMedE students go to medical school afterward, but that may not be a very wise move. Having more biology and biochemistry background would be more helpful.</p>
<p>???</p>
<p>what are you saying? Upper division bio isn’t “more helpful” for med school. biochem is now part of the premed track so would be taken anyway. </p>
<p>Your claim that majoring in E wouldn’t be wise is odd. How would majoring in a science be any better? There are few jobs with just a BS in a science. At least with ChemE, a student can get employed with just a BS.</p>
<p>I mean having an Engineering major may have limited exposure to Biology and Biochemistry. Read my response again. I recommended a pre-med track over pure engineering major. It is true that having a degree in engineering would give a better job opportunity right after graduation, but you may also get a lower GPA and hurt your chance for medical school. The question is how determine you are going to medical school. Taking developmental biology, endocrinology, neuroscince, physiology, and microbiology etc are certainly helpful unless you don’t consider them as “upper division bio”.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your advice.</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids, my safety schools are Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University. Do you think I need more. Also, how much do colleges care about the ACT writing?</p>