So I am a junior at a small state school in pennsylvania. Currently, I am double majoring in Computational Physics and Philosophy and will probably end up with a math minor. I have around a 3.6 gpa. I struggled last semester because I got a “C” in calc 3 and ended up with only a 3.2. Naturally, my low gpa and struggle in my physics major is making me question my major choice. I really do love my majors and the intellectual stimulation they bring. However, I understand how hard it is to get into a good physics grad school and Im worried that my gpa will keep falling and I wont be able to get in. I also know that it is very difficult to find a good job with just a bachelor’s in physics.
Right now I have the option to switch into an engineering program where I would end up with a B.A. in physics after 3 years at my current school, then I would get a B.S. in engineering from WVU after 2 years there.
My plan would be to get a mechanical engineering degree then find a job with that for a little while, then eventually go to grad school and get a masters in engineering and a intellectual property law degree. I do find ip law very interesting as well, and think I might enjoy the design part of ME.
But, like I said, I really love my major now, including my philosophy major which I would have to change to a minor if I switched to engineering.
I am just looking for advice. What do you guys think I should do? Should I go the route that is more difficult and uncertain, but where my heart is? Or should I switch to the route that will be a little easier, more certain, more practical, and probably more lucrative?
If you struggled in calculus, you might have a hard time in engineering.
I didnt really struggle in calculus, I just struggled to get a good grade. I understood all of the concepts and was able to handle the computation just fine, but I had a professor that wasnt very forgiving for simple mistakes that would really only occur as a result of being rushed to finish a quiz or test. In fact, a large part of my class is protesting their grades because they thought the professor was unfair, but I decided to stay out of that.
You really shouldn’t discount “simple mistakes.” As an engineer, you are almost ALWAYS in a rush. A simple mistake could mean an important connection is undersized. Pressure is part of the job. I’m glad your professor wasn’t very forgiving. The real world is even less forgiving.
Sorry to sound negative, but I just want you to think carefully before starting down a very demanding road. Yes, engineering can be a lucrative career, but you have to be very dedicated to pursue it.
I completely agree and understand. That is part of the reason why I decided not to protest the grade. I believe I earned the grade that was given to me. What I was trying to get at though is that I know myself, my capabilities, and my limits. I wouldn’t have created this post if I didnt understand where I stood. But I just want to make it clear that, yes I earned a C in calculus 3, but I know that I grasped the material as much as someone who earned a higher grade. Im not discounting simple mistakes, but I know I could have done better to avoid them and after that experience, I will try harder to catch them in my future classes.
Also, I wasnt talking about engineering being lucrative, I was talking about eventually being a patent lawyer.
You can go into patent law from physics just as well. If you are interested in physics because it is a possible career for you, then stick with it. If, when you graduate, you still want to go to graduate school, you can probably find a good program with a GPA of over 3.2. I have had any number of PhD students who had grades in college which are in that range and they have done very well in their PhD studies and afterward, finding jobs.