MEng for Chemical Engineering

I know almost nothing about grad school so forgive me if I sound uninformed. I am apply for undergrad now for chemical engineering (I’m a senior in high school) at the University of Texas (Austin), the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), and Texas A&M. I am not particularly interested in oil or energy efficiency, but I do have an interest more so in the biological applications of chemical engineering (pharmaceuticals and biotechnology). Also interested in Materials Science and Engineering as a potential minor during undergrad so that could take me down a biomaterials route.

Basically I want to know how much I need to factor a school’s MEng program into my undergrad decision. I really like MEng because it is suited for those who want to go straight into a profession not into a PhD, and it only takes one year to do. For example, UT Austin is my #1 choice but they do not offer a MEng degree. How different is it to be accepted into a grad school that does offer MEng after doing undergrad at a school that does not?

Cornell offers MEng in chemical engineering with a specialization for pharmaceuticals and industrial biotechnology, how competitive will this program be? Like do I stand any chance of being accepted down the road? Minnesota does offer MEng for chemical engineering but they do not mention any specialization, will that even make a difference?

I’ve got time to think about it, and I know it’s not worth worrying about, but I feel that it is at least worth considering. Hopefully my jumbled and likely confusing questions make a little sense. Pour your wisdom upon me so that four years from now I have a better idea of my future.

Unless there is a special program that has the BS/MEng combination that you really want at that school, I would not worry about it too much. You can always get into a MEng program elsewhere after graduation or after working for a while. My suggestion is to choose your undergraduate institution on other factors, such as affordability and fit.

I think you are worrying about things that are far too far away. You have an ACT of 29? Even U minns average ACT last year (for CSE, not direct entry to chem eng, that is later after soph) was 31. I think you have to get accepted into your undergrad before you worry about post. Then you have to be accepted into chem eng.

Thank you @xraymancs , that makes a whole lot of sense.

@Alfonsia I’ve been accepted to Minnesota, Colorado School of Mines, and A&M so far. Yeah the score is below the accepted average, but many people seem to forget what average means. In this case the 50th percentile means that half of the accepted students scored above a 31, and half below a 31. Yes, grad school is far away but why not think ahead? Planning in advance is not going to hurt me, it’s the type of thing that is going to make me successful in life.