<p>If you are not a ChemE major you may need departmental approval to take ChemE courses.</p>
<p>The problem with the “start both majors and figure it out” strategy is that most engineering majors don’t start their major curriculum until sophomore year. By that time, if you’re not fully into the curriculum, it could delay graduation. It sounds like you have plenty of credits coming in (at least Calc I and Calc II), so it may not be a problem, but it’s something to watch out for.</p>
<p>Some schools are now offering a freshman-level orientation course to their major. Basically, it’s an hour or so a week that just explains what a chemical engineer does to students considering the major. Personally, I wish more schools did that (but recognize the problem with scheduling faculty for what many would consider is a “fluff” course).</p>
<p>In my opinion, the best way to determine if chemical engineering is right for you is through an internship. In Fall (a week or two after you get to campus - it should be one of the first things you do after you settle in), call or email the career services department at your school to find out the interview schedule for internships. Many schools start in September. Even if you don’t have a GPA (because it’s your first month of school), and you’ve never taken a chemical engineering course, and you’re not even sure if it’s right for you (but don’t tell the recruiters that), go interview for a summer internship. Not only is it a major resume booster and a salary for the summer, it should help you make a decision.</p>
<p>Wow I’m so glad I started this thread; already, I’ve learned so much! I like that idea of an internship. I feel like that would help a lot. Is it realistic to expect I’ll land an internship, without the GPA and such?</p>
<p>It depends on your school and the quality of the internship / co-op office. For example, Georgia Tech has an excellent professional practice department that actively seeks companies to hire freshman interns / co-ops. As a result, many companies come to campus specifically seeking freshman. </p>
<p>Why would a company want freshman? Because they can potentially “lock up” that freshman for 3 or 4 semesters over the course of their college career. New college hires are much more effective starting out when they’ve already worked in your company for 1-1.5 years.</p>
<p>How do companies hire if you don’t have a GPA? Based on your high school accomplishments, college involvement, and interview skills.</p>
<p>All right, thanks for all the info!</p>
<p>I am a chemical engineering student. What I love most about it are the various career paths I could take. You can be employed anywhere from the oil industry to the pharmaceutical industry to the food industry. I also have many pre-med and pre-law classmates. My intention is to get an MBA after working a few years - unless I start making enough money through other investments. </p>
<p>Of course my opinion is biased but I would really support chemical engineering if you have the discipline to pursue it. At my school, I can take one more class (well i think class+lab) and have a chemistry minor. I can take about 3 or 4 more math classes and have a math minor - which I’m not doing though.</p>
<p>Hello–
Son is a high school junior; loves chemistry and math; is developing outstanding stats.
He thinks he is interested in chemical engineering, OR chemistry with view to Ph.D. or medicine, OR law school.
Any advice as to the path he should undertake as a college freshman? He does not want to miss out if ChemE is “the one,” but wants a well-rounded education, too.
Thanks!</p>