<p>One of my goals for this summer is to officially decide on what I will study when I go to college (I will be a senior in high school this school year). During this past year, I narrowed it to down to either Physics, Mathematics, or Mechanical Engineering. After some research I decided not to do Physics, since jobs can be scarce outside of teaching. So now it's between ME and Mathematics. I think ME would be very interesting and fun, since I've always dreamed of being able to design robots and similar devices. But I haven't had any experience in shadowing or interning with any mechanical engineers, so I'm not sure whether it would be a good fit me. I have a strong feeling it would be, but I would hate to go through all of that work for the degree only to not do anything with engineering. </p>
<p>How should I decide between math and engineering? How can I tell if engineering would be a good fit for me?</p>
<p>Well, how do you feel about proofs? </p>
<p>You could always wait until you take some classes your first semester or look for some shadowing or EC programs related to engineering in your local area. Join the robotics club. See if there are any engineering workshops for prospective students. There’s quite a few options. Good luck!</p>
<p>Just because it’s something you think you may like to major in does not mean that you have to stick with it throughout college. If you’re considering engineering, then it’s easier to start with it and then change to a different major than it is to start with a different major and decide to transfer into engineering.</p>
<p>@halcyonheather I actually really like proofs. That’s always been something about math that enjoyed, because you actually see, step by step, how everything works and why it is the way it is.</p>
<p>@shawnspencer Thank you for the suggestions! I’ve actually been trying to establish a connection with a mechanical engineer in my area, but no luck so far. Which is why I made this thread! I’ve also been on the lookout for a robotics team, but my school doesn’t have a club and I unfortunately don’t have nearly enough time to join a robotics team outside of school. But I appreciate the suggestions and I will keep looking!</p>
<p>@baktrax That is a good point. I suppose it would be a lot easier to go from engineering to math than the other way around.</p>
<p>Also, what do you guys think of these schools to apply to, in terms of their mechanical engineering programs? These are most likely the schools I will apply to, but I may have to reduce the list…</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon University (Top choice, if I can get admitted and actually afford it)
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Kettering University
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (again, if I can afford. It would be out-of-state tuition)
Case Western Reserve University
University of Iowa (more of a safety)
Marquette University
Bradley University (still need to do more research on this)</p>
<p>MIT
CalTech</p>
<p>I will most likely apply to the last two, but given how competitive and expensive they are, I don’t feel very confident that I would be admitted. But hey, it never hurts to try, right? You have no chance of being accepted if you don’t apply in the first place. Anyway, what do you think of above colleges for mechanical engineering?</p>
<p>You may want to look at Purdue - all engineers, regardless of area of focus, take the same classes for the first year. This would introduce you to other types of engineering, as well as Math, and perhaps help you make up your mind before selecting a concentration.</p>
<p>@albclemom That sounds like it would be perfect for my situation. Do you know if that is pretty standard across a lot of schools, is that something that is unique to Purdue?</p>
<p>That seems to be fairly standard. I know it is the case for NC State, the best engineering school in my state and also where I plan on doing mechanical engineering.</p>
<p>Edit: Actually look at NC State. It’s mechanical and aerospace program is second to none. And if you stay for graduate school the research there is fantastic.</p>
<p>Many engineering programs have similar first year requirements, but not all have the same curriculum for all freshman, regardless of focus. </p>
<p>I would second looking at NC State. You may qualify for the Park Scholarship.</p>
<p>(Downtown) Raleigh’s a really cool place also. I would actually look into going to NC State myself if it offered courses more suited to what I want to major in and if I didn’t live as close to it as I do now. My dad lives a few minutes from downtown Raleigh so not really thinking about NC State as a valid option. xD</p>
<p>I would mimic what the others have said about your intended major. It appears easier to switch from ME to math than vice versa. Good luck! All of the schools you listed seem pretty legit; I’d offer more feedback if I had more knowledge.</p>
<p>If you are uncertain but think you would like to do engineering when it comes time to apply: apply for engineering. Engineering programs have strict accreditation, and therefore usually have little flexibility in courses. This means if you don’t start out taking the right classes for engineering but decide to switch in later, it could mean extra time (and money). It’s generally a lot easier to switch out of engineering than into it, just because of the course requirements. I’ve had this confirmed by admissions people at my university.</p>
<p>Also, I wouldn’t rule out physics because you’re concerned about job opportunities. A lot of physics majors end up doing more engineering-type jobs after graduation. Jobs in “pure physics” aren’t common without grad degrees, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get a job with a physics degree.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your suggestion on NC state? I’ll have to look into it. I know it’s actually a really far trip from where it live, so I wouldn’t have a chance to visit (which is concerning, since I don’t know much about the school as it is). But from what you’ve all said, it seems to have strong programs in the STEM area.</p>
<p>@nanotechnology first of all, it’s ironic that your username is that; one dream I have after completing college is working with nanotechnology! Anyway, when I was considering, I was thinking about theoretical physics (it makes sense, given the fact that I enjoy math). Since I’m not completely sure what I will be doing in terms of grad school (while I would love to go, there are many things that influence it), it would make sense to start in engineering as a major if I’m going to end up doing engineering for a career anyway. But I will still continue to keep my options open. Thank you.</p>
<p>Also, are either Purdue or NC State good as a safety school? Of course I want quality school for engineering that will give me plenty of opportunities. But given many of the other schools I’m planning to apply to, it would be nice to have another school that from which I know I can get a good amount of financial aid in case other colleges I apply to either reject me or do not offer affordable financial aid options.</p>
<p>I would be out of state for both of those schools, by the way. That’s the problem I’m having with University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). I’m in Illinois, and out of state tuition for UMich is insane and wouldn’t be affordable unless my family and I got A LOT of financial aid. I’m debating taking it off my list and looking for another affordable school, but I know it’s a VERY quality education there.</p>
<p>You won’t get very much financial aid at any OOS students with a few exceptions (ie. UA). I wouldn’t count on Umich.</p>
<p>So would it be best to look at private universities if I decide to go out of state?</p>
<p>@albclemom I did some more research on Purdue, and it seems like it would be a great school! My only concern is the fact that I will be an out-of-state student so tuition will be higher, and since it’s a public university, I may not get very much in terms of scholarships or aid. Do you know anything about this, either to confirm or refute this?</p>
<p>NC State is really stingy on giving merit aid. You either get a full ride (not very likely) or maybe two or three thousand dollars if you are smart.</p>