<p>Maybe this is depends on the school, but how difficult is it to switch to an engineering track after a semester or two on a liberal arts track? Most engineering programs seem very structured and prescheduled, with little flexiblity, and I am just wondering whether or not it would be a possiblity. Anyone switch into engineering later on?</p>
<p>It does depend upon the school, and from the programs I've perused, the difficulty level ranges from "hard" to "impossible", if you're talking about still finishing in four years. It sort of depends upon whether or not you've got some of the prerequisites already done by the time you decide you want to switch, but even so, it's often difficult for people to finish an engineering degree in four years, even <em>knowing</em> that they want to go into engineering when they're freshmen.</p>
<p>It's not so much that your typical engineering program is very structured or prescheduled than there are just <em>so</em> many required courses that engineers must go through in order to graduate with proficiency. In order to fit everything in, and with prerequisite courses being as they are, it's easiest to just let your plan of study fall into the path of least resistance, which is why it may seem structured or prescheduled.</p>
<p>It's a possibility, but that possibility also requires an acceptance of the fact that it might take you a little longer to get your degree. If you've got the time, resources, patience, and desire, then more power to you!</p>
<p>I think it does depend greatly on the school. Many schools have different admissions standards between engineering and libarts, such that it is difficult to switch into engineering from libarts (and sometimes vice versa is also difficult). Basically, they want you to reapply to transfer between majors, and this is not automatic. For example, at Berkeley, it is actually extremely difficult to transfer from the College of Letters & Science (the libart part of Berkeley) to the College of Engineering. Many people apply to transfer, and only a fraction of requests are granted. This seems to be quite common in the larger public schools. Even some private schools, such as Cornell, also restrict transfers.</p>
<p>What about the other way around? How easy/hard would it be at a "typical" school to switch from engineering to something in the liberal arts after two semesters or so?</p>
<p>it'd be fairly easy, since lib arts have many free electives if you planned it right you wouldn't lose time.</p>
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What about the other way around? How easy/hard would it be at a "typical" school to switch from engineering to something in the liberal arts after two semesters or so?
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<p>Again, it depends on the school in question. Some schools (again, like Berkeley), do not make it an automatic process. You have to apply to switch from one college to another, with no guarantees. It often times depends on your grades. It is very easy for an engineering student to get bad grades that would prevent a switch. </p>
<p>However, I agree that the switch from engineering to libarts is usually easier than vice versa.</p>
<p>At my college, the first year of engineering was almost entirely courses actually taught in the College of Arts & Sciences, or courses completely equivalent. These included: physics, calculus, chemistry, computer programming, freshman English seminars. Just one intro to engineering course I believe.</p>
<p>I knew a number of physical science majors enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences at my school who took nearly the same course schedule freshman year as the engineers did. Some different sections of math & physics, perhaps, but with substantially the same content.</p>
<p>If someone had taken essentially this same curriculum while enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences instead of the College of Engineering, and then they wanted to transfer to the College of Engineering, then I don't see much issue if they had done decently in these courses. If they hadn't that's another story maybe. </p>
<p>At that early stage there'd just be maybe one or two courses to make up, and they'd probably let you do that.</p>
<p>After sophomore year I'd think it would start getting more difficult. Because sophomore year there are more courses actually taught in the engineering college, having specialized engineering content. In addition to the ongoing math & physics.</p>
<p>I agree with monydad. My freshman engineering son has 4 courses in liberal arts (chem, phys, calc, elective) plus one engineering class and one engineering seminar. He has a friend who is transferring into engineering next year and will only have to make up the engr classes. Not too bad. </p>
<p>I know the sophomore schedule has more classes in the engr dept though, and there are really no liberal arts equivalents.</p>
<p>During freshman year, you only have to take a few classes in order not to fall behind in the engineering curriculum, like calculus 1, calculus 2, physics 1, and maybe chemistry 1. If you're not sure about engineering, just make sure you have at least those classes. You can then transfer into engineering for sophomore year, assuming your college allows you to.</p>
<p>My son was advised to enter engineering & it would be easier to switch out than switch into engineering later. That's what he's decided to do at this point & we're going to have him shadow some engineers this summer, to get a feel for what they do.</p>