<p>I'm a stereotypical smart kid- high 2200's on the SAT, NMSF, 5's on all my AP's, etc etc, but I have one major flaw: spatial intelligence. I am ABYSMAL at dealing with 2d simulations of 3d objects, rotating things in my head, plotting points on the x,y,z axis, and so on. My hs has some 'engineering' classes where you draw complex 3-D objects by hand and by computer; I would miserably fail that class, and I'm not kidding. I can't draw a shoe or a cat, for reference. I'm pretty sure that I must be an Ashkenazi Jew, I'm awesome with math, science, and verbal intelligence, but hilariously bad at spatial reasoning.</p>
<p>Could I still do ChemE without any real problems? I'm great conceptually with everything, but having to work with that kind of spatial intelligence would not be a good fit for me. The information on the internet is very nebulous about what chem engineers actually do- is it more direct design, or is it closer to science and R&D? An R&D style major/career would be excellent for me, but I would probably crash and burn if I had to regularly design objects. </p>
<p>Help?</p>
<p>You need a strong grasp of physics. Hate to say it, but there’s no avoiding that no matter what field you go into.
As far as ChemE specifics, you work with reactors and flow through them, etc. You do need to be able to visualize the physics that goes on there.
My advice is to learn to deal with it. Everyone has some deficiencies that they have to overcome to learn the material.</p>
<p>Well, I’m good with physics and understanding what goes on in chemistry/physics. For example, I can visualize and understand the process that makes ionic solids dissolve in water, but I could never draw a reactor. </p>
<p>I can visualize stuff, I just can’t put things onto paper in any kind of detail (particulary 3-D detail). Is that all that you need to get through ChemE, or do you need actual design skills?</p>
<p>There’s plenty of reactors to draw. A lot of them are 2D, but not all of them. Not too much focus on making aesthetically pleasing drawings though, if that’s what you’re asking.</p>
<p>It won’t be an issue with chemE courses. But you may struggle in organic chemistry, which is required as one of the science foundation courses.</p>