I am currently a freshman at a small liberal arts college that does not offer an engineering degree. I am receiving full tuition because my parents work at the college. I have the option to be able to exchange this tuition to both USC and SCU but it is not guaranteed to be accepted. By the time I transfer I will have taken: Two semesters of University level physics, Calc I, II & III, a history course and a literature course.
I have some concerns: Should I transfer?, getting in, research opportunities, and extracurricular opportunities.
I’ve always wanted to be engineer but it ended up making more financial sense to go to my current college. I have been told that I can major in physics and still get a masters or doctorates in engineering. The upper level physics classes that I will have to take seem very daunting. I don’t want to do poorly in those classes and not have the option of grad school or get stuck into a math major like many have at my college. I’m sure if I put the time in I could make a physics major work but I also want to enjoy what I am studying. Is a physics degree worth it? Could I go directly into a competitive masters or doctoral program in electrical engineering or aerospace engineering after getting a physics degree?
Both USC and SCU will require my SAT scores since I have less than 30 credits. My SAT is in the mid 1300’s. My college GPA should hopefully be an upper 3.8 or 3.9 or even a 4.0 if my exams go well. Does this seat me well to get in as a transfer student? Should I think about retaking the dreaded SAT?
Will I be able to find research opportunities at a bigger school (especially like USC). I have heard that professors at bigger institutions care most about their graduate students so research opportunities are far and thin for undergrads. Is this true? Will I be able to find a research opportunity after my first year of going to USC or SCU? I am already enrolled in a one credit introductory research group at my current college but am afraid I won’t find an opportunity like this elsewhere. If I stay at my current institution is it possible to get engineering internships being only a physics major?
Finally, I am concerned about participating in music at these schools. From what I have seen SCU will allow me to take lessons and perform in music groups. This is about all I would want to do. Would I still have this opportunity at USC?
Also, does anyone have any other engineering schools they’d recommend from this list? I am looking to go west as well.
https://telo.tuitionexchange.org/schools.cfm
I plan on trying to get a lot of these questions and others answered by admissions reps but I thought I would see what the general public’s opinion is.