<p>I was accepted to NU as a transfer for next fall with a major in Electrical Engineering.</p>
<p>Although I think I'd be ok with EE, I'm wondering how hard it is to change majors. I'm coming from a community college, and while I've taken 3 semesters of physics, 3 of calculus, diff, and linear algebra, I've never taken an official engineering course. So I feel like I could still choose a different path.</p>
<p>I've been somewhat intrigued by McCormick's Applied Math major. Do any of you know much about it? I actually love math more than I love engineering, but I have to keep my career options in mind. Do you think this is a good comprimise? I'd love to go to grad school, but in case the financial aid is not available for that dream, would the B.S</a>. in applied math give me a decent level of hireability?</p>
<p>So, in summary, my two question are: Will it be easy for me to change majors? And would Applied Math at McCormick be a wise choice?</p>
<p>Since you're in McCormick already, no it wouldn't be difficult to switch majors. I'm not exactly sure about Engineering First and how it corresponds to transfer students, but if you've never taken an engineering course, you might have to, even for applied mathematics, unless transfers can get out of the EA/EDC sequence. As far as hireability, I'm not sure, but someone else may know.</p>
<p>You actually definitely have to take some engineering courses. The Applied Math major is sort of like a hybrid between a general engineering education and an applied math education. It seems pretty cool.</p>
<p>I've also been wondering how Engineering First applies to transfers. Anyone know?</p>
<p>Before engineering first, students are required to take linear algebra, 1 course in computer programming, and 1 year of physics. If I am not mistaken, those are not required anymore. The engineering first are supposed to integrate the relevant materials in those classes and apply them to real engineering problems. So technically, if you already have a year of physics, and a programming class at your former school, you may be able to convince them to just take a linear algebra class and place out the whole engineering first sequence.</p>
<p>My acceptance materials say not to call for academic advising until I've sent my deposit and had my credit evaluation. So I'm waiting for my credit eval. until I start calling them up.</p>
<p>Did you know any applied math majors at McCormick?</p>
<p>I am no longer a student at NU; upon looking at the link you posted, it looks like I was wrong about the physics requirement. It looks like 2 quarters of physics are still required and that the fact you took 3 semester of physics probably won't place you out of the engineering first. I think it would be difficult to ask them place you out of the whole EF by differential eq and linear algebra alone; but then asking you to sit with all the freshmen and go through the whole EF is kinda excessive on the other hand. Let me know what they say. I am curious. </p>
<p>As far as hireability goes, I'd heard that people with great math/modeling skill are well sought by the Wall Street but you probably want to take additional econ/finance classes outside the AM curriculum in order to land those jobs. <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_04/b3968001.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_04/b3968001.htm</a> Another good option is to double that with economics or industrial engineering, in which classes like stochastic models and financial engineering are available. I know people who like math get to become actuaries. But I'd heard the demand for actuaries isn't all that high right now as insurance companies don't need large number of them. That's what I can think of out of my limited knowledge.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, Sam Lee. It's much appreciated.</p>
<p>I figure they won't transfer much of my credits, especially since I'm coming from a community college. But they gave me such good aid that I really wouldn't mind staying for longer than 2 years, as long as they don't drastically cut my finaid (I think it's probably safe to assume they won't). My community college was a great stepping stone for me to get into a place like NU, but I have to admit that most of my courses probably didn't meet up to NU standards. I can live with that.</p>
<p>I'll let you know how it all works out. </p>
<p>Thanks for the article link, btw... Very interesting.</p>