<p>tim:</p>
<p>Try checking with the staff at RPI to determine the average engineering GPA of the grads. You might be able to find it on their website. Share this info with your parents and let them see that you’re not likely far from that average. Also explain to them the weeder nature of the beginning engineering courses. You need to understand that you’ll likely improve your grades as you progress or you might decide to switch majors. </p>
<p>Note that I’m only guessing as to the average GPA and weeder nature of RPI although fellow students there (try discussing with 3rd-4th year students in your major), staff, and maybe ‘originaloog’ can confirm what I said. What I said about average GPA and weeders definitely applies at UCLA and UCSD where I have kids in engineering majors.</p>