<p>1-Given the (weird) choice between Materials Engineering at Case Western and Chemistry in the Science Dept. in UCSB, what to choose and why?
2-How is the chemistry program in UCSB for undergraduate studies?
3-How realistically can one transfer from Arts and Sciences to chemical engineering in UCSB and the University of California system (like UC San Diego or UCLA etc.)?
4-or is it easier to transfer from Case Engineering to other UC Engineering?</p>
<p>Any informed feedback is welcome, as this is our first kid going to college and I did not go to college in the US, so I am doing my best navigating the process and trying to optimize the Ed opportunities for our son! Less than three weeks to decide, Pffft!</p>
<p>P.S. since I am new at College Confidential, excuse my redundancy as I posted these questions in both the science majors forums and the engineering forums because I want to get both majors' views.</p>
<p>Are you a CA resident and is UCSB a heck of a lot cheaper than Case? Does he know if his passion lies more in Materials instead of Chemistry? MSE is a lot more marketable of a major than chemistry. They are fairly related subjects, but there’s still a lot of difference between the two.</p>
<p>I know UCSB has a graduate MSE program (I almost went there), but I’m not sure if they have an undergrad one. Would he be interested in pursuing ChemE or MechE instead if he wanted to be an engineer (both of these can relatively easily go into MSE for grad school if he was interested)?</p>
<p>He got $23,000 per year for case, so it makes it comparable to UCSB.
He applied in all the colleges for MSE or chemE (where they did not have MSE). But UCSB did not accept him for Eng. but accepted him for Chem. he had chosen MSE due to Chem and the problem solving aspect of Eng. but he definitely wants to do graduate studies (not sure if MBA, MSE or whatever else), so due to SB’s strength in chemistry and the fact that he is a kid that has other interests (he is a thespian (acting and tech-ing, comedy sports), and played sports (soccer, track an VB varsity) and loves creative writing,) we are thinking about UCSB. Of course we would not have this conversation if he made it in Eng! So is it a blessing in disguise to end up doing a BA? Can he possibly transfer to Eng?</p>
<p>If he did not get accepted to engineering college, immediately remove UCSB from the list. I will even go as far to say that its impossible to transfer into engineering there. Only attend UCSB if he is okay with Chemistry. I guess he could attend UCSB and transfer to another UC’s engineering program but it will also be a competitive process. Case Western is on the same academic level as UCSB only the weather and campus life are different. </p>
<p>Play safe, play smart, choose CWRU.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, if he’s interested in MSE (and not for the polymers aspect) run away from chemistry. I was initially debating doing a double major in it, but wound up with physics instead. ;)</p>
<p>I think you also get a lot more pre-med hassle in chemistry. If you can, see if there’s graduate job surveys for both schools (they’ll often include where they wound up for grad school as well). I’d bet the prospects from Case MSE look considerably better than UCSB chem.</p>
<p>What other schools did you apply to? Just UCSB and Case? Are you a California resident? </p>
<p>Switching majors to engineering is notoriously difficult at UCSB and in no way is guaranteed. </p>
<p>Case is great school. But remember the community college route. If you are a California resident and get good grades in a pre engineering curriculum, you can save a lot of money by doing that and then transferring to the UC’s or Cal States. Engineering is not about prestige like a lot of other fields are. As long as the program is accredited is all that it takes to land a good job. </p>
<p>If they know they want to be an engineer it’s best to attend an engineering college. So many things can go wrong later w/ the transfer process later on.</p>
<p>Thank you all for responding. My thoughts r much clearer now.
1- for MSE best of his choices is Case
2- go to UCSB only if he decides to do chemistry.
3- whatever the college or the major he must thrive to be in the honors as it will mAke it easier to secure popular courses and get him smaller classes
4- he could possibly transfer after two years to another more competitive program provided he maintains a high average… Or do very well in undergrad and secure a more competitive college for masters.
5- UCSB better in soft factors like weather, proximity to LA,
Campus life, and setting.
6- Challenge is bigger in time management at UCSB but is still the key for success regaclassesrdless.
7- Better marketability for work in Materials E
8- do orientation earliest possible as course registration happens then!
It is going to be a pretty involved and fun weekend after UCSB your tomorrow!</p>
<p>RacinReaver, and other Materials or Chemistry majors, what do u think of this?
We went yesterday to the UCSB open house. My son was excited to see that he could do a Five year program there and get a Masters in Material Sciences (still part of the Sciences program, not the Engineering) You had mention Polymers. In fact that is what he is interested in. Their masters in MS and Polymers is particularly strong, no? What do you think of that route to get to MS?</p>
<p>He can always reassess after the first year with advisors if he likes it or if he really wants/needs Engineering and then load up on prerequisites for Eng. and try to transfer to Eng. (I know that this will perhaps end up in adding more time)</p>
<p>He is an active kid too and he liked much better the weather, outdoors-sports opportunities in UCSB. We are CA residents, so less travel monies… Granted our focus is still primarily on education.</p>
<p>Its still not engineering, but UCSB materials program is A+ top notch. I once considered going there to get into chemical engineering specifically for their materials dept. </p>
<p>If he is interested in polymers than UCSB is a solid option (plus it will be more fun) right on the beach. </p>
<p>I would do a job search for materials science vs materials engineering to make my decision.</p>
<p>We did a more in depth research on the UCSB BS-MS 5 year program in material science. It is amazing and very competitive. Basically he applies to it in his sophomore year after having fulfilled a series of parameters including a minimum of 3.2 general GPA and a minimum of 3.5 in materials classes, and specific set of classes as well as an 85% on GRE etc. but it is really neat. As per the jobs other than research and academia, he can find positions in high tech industries. He probably still would benefit from a business management or entrepreneurship certification too. We still need to check out concrete examples of jobs that use Material science grads vs material engineers.</p>
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<p>Honestly, I’m not sure which place I’d rather live. I loved living in Pittsburgh while I’m not actually that huge a fan of Los Angeles. Granted, Cleveland isn’t as great as Pittsburgh, but I imagine there’s still stuff to do.</p>
<p>There shouldn’t be much difference between a materials science and materials engineering degree. Many departments are actualy Materials Science & Engineering.</p>
<p>I don’t think a certification in business management or entrepreneurship would matter much, unless he’s looking to get money from venture capitalists.</p>
<p>Case ought to offer some sort of integrated BS/MS program; I think just about all large engineering schools do. One thing to know, though, is if he plans on going to get a PhD they likely won’t care about his MS, and he’ll be required to do all the coursework someone coming straight from a BS would.</p>
<p>Thanks to all that took the time and gave me their insights, my S committed yesterday to UCSB pre chem. with the plan to work hard and apply for their 5 year BS-MS materials program. The rigor and strength of their science and specifically chemistry grad program is what made him give up engineering.</p>