<p>Science, and especially math have never been my strong subjects (570 math SAT) I am more the literary type, but dislike writing in school. Engineering has interested me for awhile now, and I'm not sure whether I should major in it or not. Right now, I'm thinking about EE, since I'm interested in the computer programming part of it. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Ahhh if you can really love it and you can really work hard to get it then go for it.</p>
<p>I will of course work hard, but is it a big problem that I struggle in math, or will it imrpove over time?</p>
<p>Most people who enter engineering already have a natural aptitude for math and science. You have to work extra hard to make up for your disadvantage.</p>
<p>Y'know... Pretty much everyone is truly boggled by differential equations at first, mathematical genius or not. You've probably already developed strategies for struggling through math you don't understand, whereas those students with "natural aptitude" have always sailed through, and then when they get to college, they don't have a great sense of what to do when they meet a function they don't understand.</p>
<p>Hard work picks up where natural aptitude ends. If you're getting good enough grades in math and science to get into an engineering program, you may actually end up having an <em>easier</em> time in college, at least in terms of angst and frustration, than your fellow nerd-genius colleagues who are unwittingly about to hit a massive eigenwall.</p>
<p>Anyhow, I've found that being a literary type in engineering has only really given me an edge over other engineers, especially in terms of relating to clients and such. I wouldn't worry about it. If you really like engineering and have a passion for it, you'll make it through all right.</p>
<p>I have the same problem, i am both - but i do pretty well in math too ... and its sooo hard deciding .. because you have decide on what department you want apply and then write essay on "why" u have applied to that dept.</p>
<p>Honestly, EE is a ton of math. If you are not naturally good at math, EE will be hell for you. No, I'm not just saying that.</p>
<p>Besides engineering, the only thing I was thinking of was to major in English to be a freelance writer or something..but how much money can you really make being that. Other writing careers like journalism dont interest me, so I think I'll go for engineering - considering I'll have a slight edge when working with clients like aibarr said.</p>
<p>Beruga I had the same type of situation. (36 on ACT in English, 4 & 5 on APs) But I love it. Do what you like, not what you're good at. And aibarr is right about people not being ready for a hard science or math whereas you have ways of dealing with it. I actually love diff eq (fav math class ever, I suck at adding and subtracting, never took alegbra, and was only decent [B student] at Calc) and organic chemistry is great. I also have people skills that a lot of other engineers don't have.</p>
<p>But benderunit is right that you will be at a disadvantage but if you last a year or year and a half it starts to even out. I think most of the engineers in my class thought I was stupid but now I think they respect that I stuck with it and kept competing and think I'm on the same plane (okay maybe not that much but still, I get just as good or often better grades than most of em). Any more questions, jst PM me.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice IlliniJBravoEcho, I have decided to pick EE as my major and now my only decision will be about colleges, but I made another thread for that :)</p>
<p>Beruga. you can also take technical writing classes to complement your EE classes. Then in the future, you'll probably save your employer from having to hire a technical writer.</p>
<p>I would not recommend engineering for anyone that struggled through HS math (i.e. geometry, trig, calc I..etc) or science. </p>
<p>Heck, I wouldn't recommend engineering to anyone (even those with an aptitude for math and physics) unless they have sustained a bona-fide natural interest in engineering/fiddling with gadgets since childhood.</p>
<p>Too many people get into engineering thinking that they are interested in it(when they know little about it) only to realize it wasn't what they were expecting for any of various reasons. </p>
<p>As for doing "what you like" as opposed to "what you are good at." This is almost always the same thing. A more appropriate statement would be to do "what you like" not "what you HOPE you will like."</p>
<p>I struggled through high school math and science. They were the hardest HS maths and sciences, but I still struggled. Six years after HS graduation, being at the top structural engineering grad school in the nation, though, and having been given six excellent job offers in really cool fields, I'd say that pursuing what I like as opposed to pursuing what I was good at (I was really good at languages, and ceramics, and piano... better than I was at science and math, though through my struggles I moderately distinguished myself in science and math, as well...) worked out pretty darned well for me.</p>
<p>In my experience, it's the hard work and the willingness to persevere that determines success in engineering. Engineering's an incredibly broad field, and if you think you like engineering, chances are extremely good that there's a niche in the field that you'll adore.</p>
<p>Well I certainly don't struggle through HS math. Science though I do, but that depends on whether you consider AP chem high school level science. And also, "liking" and "being good" at something are completely separate in my opinion. I am good at writing, but I like technology and engineering..</p>
<p>Right. You'll do fine.</p>
<p>Although I don't recommend someone who struggled through HS math and science (particularly physics) to get into engineering, there are certainly always the exceptions. If you have a ridiculous amount of willpower, sure that is possible although it is not the norm. Too many people who get weeded out of engineering do because they can't handle the math and/or don't have the requisite herculean willpower. And from my own undergraduate and graduate experience in aerospace engineering, the math and concepts only get harder... much harder.</p>
<p>The "typical" engineering student, however, usually did very well in HS mathematics and physics, in general. Particularly, at the top colleges. </p>
<p>Unless you plan on getting into Chemical Engineering, your scores in AP Chem/Chem aren't too relevant. I didn't do particularly well in AP Chemistry either. Physics is the most relevant science for most engineering. And for the record, low standardized test scores mean jack. </p>
<p>The number one requirement for engineering, however, is that you have a genuine interest in it and it is not something that you THINK you like and are "trying out" just to see if you really do. Preferably, if you are one of those types that have fiddled and tweaked devices since you were a kid. Liking Physics and Math are additional pluses...And also is growing up with parents that are also engineers...</p>
<p>Yeah I always did stuff with k'nex as a kid. The main reason I didn't like math I found out was that I never really had someone truly teach it to me. I always had an interest in science and engineering type things. Although I was a better English student, anyone who knew me wasn't really surprised about the choice of major (I guess a lot of people in my school didn't really know me).</p>
<p>Oh man, at this point I'm really struggling in AP chemestry. Is this an indication that I will not succeed in electrical engineering?</p>
<p>It just means you wouldn't do so hot in chemical engineering courses. </p>
<p>I made a B in AP Chemistry and still graduated with high honors in aerospace engineering from a top university. Do well in your physics courses.</p>
<p>I have yet to take a physics course, but will be taking AP senior year (next year). I just hope THAT'S my strong area.</p>