Preparing for an Engineering Major?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’m a current junior who just recently started to consider engineering and applied sciences (specifically Environmental or Industrial).

However, I had mental health issues freshman and (mostly) sophomore year. My poor, poor math grades…(Standard Algebra 1: C-, Standard Algebra 2: C). Yes, it hurts…Sciences are better…(Hon. Intro Earth + Physical Sciences: 94, Hon. Bio: 89).

Previous Grades: So far, 2 months (and a few quizzes and test) into Junior year: Geometry: 92. Standard Chem: 97. (I have A’s and A-'s in every other class besides APUSH this year). (our high school goes Alg1->Alg2->Geo->Pre-Calc->etc.)

Freshman and Sophomore GPA: 3.39 unweighted, 3.68 weighted out of 5.50

Junior Year (so far): 3.85 unweighted, 4.30 weighted out of 5.50.
Combined Junior/Freshman/Sophomore if I keep these grades: 3.54 unweighted, 3.89 weighted.

I have an interest in solving problems out of the box, and I am interested in math, I just didn’t do too hot. See previous post in my profile.

So I need to show colleges I can do math, which I’m starting too with my current grades, but I’ll continue through pre-calc. Test Scores: Equivalent of a 640 on Math. (27 on Math ACT).

However, should I throw AP Stats onto my schedule next year? Industrial engineering has a lot of statistics.

Here’s what my senior year schedule could look like: AP Gov, AP Lit, Hon. Pre Calc, Hon Physics, AP Stats (?), AP CompSci (Principles)(?).

Would that show colleges proficiency in math? Another question: I could take Intermediate Algebra (Alg 1+2) over the summer at a local CC. Should I do this? Thanks.

2

Beyond the usual college prep base curriculum (including English, history, foreign language, art), the minimum preparation for studying engineering is:

Math through precalculus (take calculus if you complete precalculus before 12th grade)
High school physics (advanced level is a bonus)
High school chemistry (advanced level is a bonus)

You can try the practice questions for the SAT subject test Math Level 1 to check your knowledge of algebra 1, algebra 2, and geometry (i.e. readiness for precalculus): https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/subjects/mathematics/mathematics-1

AP statistics can give you an idea of what statistics is like, but industrial engineering will require much more advanced calculus based statistics.

3

Thanks.

I should also add, I could chose between an Intro to Engineering Drafting Class (honors), or AP CompSci Principles.

Unsure of what to choose, since having some basic computational system knowledge might help me out later, but I also want colleges to know I’ve truly been thinking about engineering. I have not taken an engineering class yet.

AP Stats would just be an introduction to the stats I would need in college. And maybe help reaffirm some of my math skills.

Side not: While I will not be able to take calculus as a high school student, I will be taking Pre-Calc and Physics 1, hopefully at the honors level.

4

I would not bother with AP Stats…I assume you are thinking about that because it is a Math and is an AP. Spend your time on pre-calc.

It is good to take AP CS to start to get a background in CS as you will take a CS class as an engineer.

Colleges don’t expect HS students to take engineering classes in HS. Most schools won’t offer them.

I have to say that only getting to Pre-calc and having a 640 on SAT Math is not super strong. Nothing wrong with this, but you will be competing against others. Any ABET accredited Engineering program at a college will be essential the same curriculum, so apply to all public colleges in your state that offer engineering (and are ABET accredited).

If you are planning on classes for next year, then you still have time to take the SAT/ACT again. I would work on getting that score up.

5

Most engineering majors have taken no engineering classes- so don’t worry about that.

Successful engineering majors are “fluent” in math- and that’s where your focus needs to be. Math is the language of engineering. You will NEVER be able to catch up in college if you’ve got gaps in your algebra preparation. And you won’t want to catch up (because you’ll feel like you are drowning) if you have a shaky background from middle school-- like you were out the week percentages were taught and you have to grind out a calculation when your classmates are doing it in their heads.

So try and figure out where your prep is weak. That’s the most important part of showing up at college ready to tackle engineering.

6

Since the OP is only part way through geometry, some not-yet-learned content may be part of the reason for “only” a 27 / 640 on the ACT / SAT math section.

7

Engineering has a lot of calculus. It’s used in most classes and they build off each other. It’s OK to only take pre-Calc in HS but if you could take Calc AB that would be better or be prepared to take Calc before college. AP Stats doesn’t add much to your resume. It doesn’t move the needle. It’s not considered a difficult AP class.

You could always start at a community college or branch campus and transfer into engineering. I knew several kids in college who started in Arts and Sciences and transferred into engineering.

Other degrees besides engineering can enhance problem solving. Math, Econ, even Philosophy can be useful degrees.