<p>Hi guys, I am currently into my fourth semester and have to pick a major by the end of this semester ( currently undeclared). I took mainly math and physics courses because I want to get into engineering. When I talk to the college advicer, I was told my gba (3.3) wasn't good enough to get into MechE. What is worse is that I got a C+ on physics 211 (Classical Mechanics). I could try cilvil but the chance of getting in isn't high either. I think I can handle the math but struggles with physics. I am not sure if I should get into engineering, even if I do get in I'd imagine I wouldn't last as I am struggling with quantum physics now. But if I pick another major, I am not sure if the physics course credit would transfer through. What should I do? What other majors should I consider?. Keep in mind that I am done with my gen. ed. requirement and have cal. 1 - 3, diff. eq, and physics 211 and 212 (Classical mechanic and electricity and magnetism) credit.
Some majors I am considering are actuarial science and business( accounting).
I am an undergrad in UIUC.</p>
<p>If you really want to do engineering, then yes, your GPA is a bit low right now to transfer in. I would suggest just taking a semester or two to raise your GPA and also keep going along the path that you otherwise would have if you WERE in MechSE and then transfer in. The problem though is that 3.3 is very low when it comes to transferring into engineering. I have a friend who transferred into engineering (AgE I believe) from undecided, but it took him until something like his 10th semester there before he was successful, and so he ended up with an extra year on his degree. I would say if that is what you really want to do, then just be prepared to add time onto your degree, and in the meantime, try and take the lower level classes that you would be taking as an ME, like TAM 211 for instance.</p>
<p>I would say that it doesn’t matter if you understand Quantum Mechanics as a mechanical engineer, because for 99% of us, that is true. However, if you had trouble with mechanics, then you are in a bit of trouble. That is what mechanical engineering is built on, hence the name. If you don’t feel like you understand mechanics very well, then you really should either reconsider mechanical engineering as a career path, or retake the class to raise your grade and your understanding.</p>
<p>You might glance at this to make sure you have an idea of what you should be prepared for: <a href=“http://mechse.illinois.edu/media/pdfs/for/undergraduates/me/me_curriculum.pdf[/url]”>http://mechse.illinois.edu/media/pdfs/for/undergraduates/me/me_curriculum.pdf</a></p>
<p>As a recent grad of MechSE at UIUC, I can tell you that it is definitely no cakewalk, and the people who I knew that did poorly in Physics 211 generally had a harder time in the ME classes as well. That said, it is a very rewarding path to take in college, so if you truly think that is what you want, then go for it, and if you can’t get in there, if you really want to go into ME, then I guess you would have to consider transferring out to a different school.</p>
<p>Don’t sweat Quantum. You won’t touch any of that unless you go to graduate school. While it’s a shame about your physics grades, most engineering programs will have Dynamics/Statics classes to reiterate what you should of learned in physics 2.</p>
<p>I say you should go into engineering (even if your GPA is low) and try to stick through it. Mainly because it’s the only damn stable major out there.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. boneh3ad, you were suggesting I should take a semester or two to raise my GPA. The problem is I have to pick a major by the end of this semester ( second year, my 4th semester). Should I just pick another major, take classes that pertains to engineering (like TAM), then transfer to engineering? But if I still can’t get in or if I do get in but screw up, wouldn’t I have wasted my time taking all these engineering related courses? My second choice would be accounting or actuarial science, and I don’t think credits for TAM or physics classes would transfer through.</p>
<p>TAM and physics will not transfer to ACCT or Actuarial Science, true. However, if you REALLY want to do ME, then that is what you should try for first. It might cause you to take longer in school, but if it is what you really want to do, then go for it. As for a major, just declare it in like physics or chemistry or something maybe? Something in LAS just as a placeholder?</p>
<p>A 3.3 doesn’t sound too low to go into engineering. But If you struggle with mechanics I would think the later classes would be pretty hard. I think you should try and major in engineering though. Just put a lot of work into the classes you have trouble with.</p>
<p>3.3 doesn’t sound too low, but at UIUC, it is. You need like a 3.8 most of the time or some other ridiculously high GPA to transfer into the engineering department from some other department.</p>
<p>That’s crazy</p>
<p>Yeah, but when you have sooooooo many people who want to transfer into the College of Engineering, you have to set the bar super high or else there is no other way to deny people. You can’t admit everyone after all. Since it is a huge state school, the admissions standards for the CoE are much higher than those of the University as a whole, so they have to be kind of rough on transfer requirements like that.</p>
<p>Just befriend Dean of Engineering and you will be fine. :)</p>
<p>Also, I do agree that 3.3 is not low at UIUC CoE. Average GPA for the entire college is 2.8 I believe. 3.3 is actually quite respectable.</p>
<p>3.3 is not low for an overall GPA in the college of engineering, but he is not in CoE. He is in LAS and trying to transfer into CoE, at which point they are extremely selective.</p>
<p>Actually from my experience (back in the gilded era when the ghosts of Watt and Stirling were still fresh) the classes got easier once the foundation courses were completed. But that said, if you struggled with mechanical physics you’ll struggle with some of the foundation classes as well - assuming they make you take them. (I did not go to UIUC but there’s not really much diff from campus to campus.)</p>
<p>Regarding not understanding quantum physics - fear not. Nobody understands it. Not even those who’ve got PhD’s in it. From what I can tell, they see something happen twice and call it a law. <inset smiley=“” here=“”></inset></p>
<p>Most physics majors don’t understand QM.</p>