<p>I'm interested in Princeton Engineering. I have lots of math and science contests, but no experience in engineering itself. I just like engineering because it has a research aspect and combines difference sciences. However, I'm perfectly fine with just studying science. Thus, engineering is just one of many interests form me. Should I still apply for the Princeton Engineering school? If I apply, does that hurt my chances at getting into Princeton compared to if I just applied as a science kid?</p>
<p>List engineering as your first choice. It does mean that you do need to write the engineering essay. Most kids in high school haven’t had any formal experience with engineering. It won’t hurt your chances. We had the same question with my son, and Admissions advised that it is easier to start in Engineering and switch out than vice versa, because of more requirements in Engineering. You can clarify that you have other interests by checking non-Engineering majors or certificate programs as your other choices. Remember, you are applying to Princeton University, not a specific school or program. This is just an indication of your current interest.</p>
<p>princetonmom</p>
<p>My son is similar in that he has put engineering as his first choice, math as his second and physics as his third. I was encouraging him to apply as “undecided” since although he is leaning toward engineering, he is not 100% sure. He is still writing the engineering essay.</p>
<p>Do you think it would be better to just apply to the engineering school and switch out if he wants to?</p>
<p>He will have enough AP credits to place out of chemistry, computer science, physics, and math so I was hoping that would buy him more time to decide.</p>
<p>@soomooo: I don’t think it really matters whether he applies undecided or engineering – as long as he is writing the engineering essay. It shouldn’t really affect the admissions decision one way or the other. The only thing I think it would affect is your son’s faculty adviser when he starts freshman year. Kids who are AB students will be assigned a faculty adviser through their residential college. Kids who are BSE will be assigned a faculty adviser through the engineering school. These advisers will help him choose his initial classes - so at some point, assuming he is accepted and matriculates, he will need to go from “undecided” to “something.” That “something” can change during freshman and sophomore years – but when in doubt, start with engineering because of all the requirements. Hope that answers your question.</p>
<p>^Thanks. That makes sense.</p>
<p>I would still apply to the engineering school as opposed to undecided if I wasn’t completely sure. Tons of people start off as engineering and switch out during their freshman or sophomore year. If you want to do anything in the sciences, the courses engineering majors take as freshmen are a good idea. Only thing is that if you’re not sure about sticking with engineering, you should make sure to complete the foreign language requirement early on.</p>