<p>How hard is it to switch a major within the college of engineering, in particular, to Chemical Engineering?</p>
<p>At spring insight they told me that it isn’t easy, but it’s not crazy hard either.</p>
<p>Sent from my MB855 using CC</p>
<p>Generally it’s hard, however I believe chemE is the easiest to switch into, partly because not many people are in that major and that many students are expected to drop out. The difficulty depends ont he class size. I switched from undeclared/polisci to chemistry, and then chemistry to chemE. As long as you take the required courses (gen chem series, math series, physics series) and maintain a GPA at least above 3.5 then you should have a very solid chance. It does differ each year though so no guarantees. I know a friend who tried to get into mechE and he had a 3.7 GPA but he got denied so it really just depends on the class size/availability.</p>
<p>Thanks… blingdoop and Fendi,</p>
<p>Planning to switch from Computer Engineering to Chemical engineering. Reason is to do pre med. Thought Chem Engg. is more closer to pre med than Comp. Eng.</p>
<p>Fendi: Do you know Chem Eng. has any pre med students. If yes, how is the pre med advising?</p>
<p>I’m currently a ChemE & pre-med student so yes, we do exist. As for switching to engineering majors, it isn’t a problem at all, however there is one caveat. It’s only easy to switch if you’re ALREADY in the college of engineering AND you’re still in your first year. Once you get into year two, you better have been planning on switching from the beginning and took the appropriate classes because if you fall behind GRID, you’re chances of graduating in 4 years goes from really, really high to really, really low.</p>
<p>You’re in luck with ChemE however because we only do pre-major work our first year-- math 3/5(/6) series, Phys 1-2, Chem 1 series-- and all of the other engineering majors do those exact same classes too. We don’t start our major classes until 2nd year with ChE 10 in fall sophomore year (unless you count fall freshman year with ChE 1A, which I don’t because it’s just a seminar that can be taken whenever) so you have basically your full freshman year to change.</p>
<p>As for advising, we have fantastic advisers that are specifically for engineers only. They can help you with anything you need to know like planning how to fit your biology classes around your major classes for example.</p>
<p>Btw, ChemE is almost perfect for pre-med. Nearly every single pre-med requirement is covered by our major requirements (you only need like 6 extra classes or so, I can’t remember the exact number.)</p>
<p>@ Chloebear1212: thanks for providing needed info.
Do you have any idea about the research available at ChemE for the undergraduate pre med student ? ( I know that chemE at UCSB is one of the top 10 in the nation)
Do you know any statistics that tells about how many people are applying for med school from ChemE and how many are getting accepted ect. ?</p>
<p>Do it like a boss: do Comp Engr and pre-med stuff!</p>
<p>double threat!</p>
<p>Trust me, if you look for research you will find it. There are several internships (even for freshman) that are available to UCSB ChemE’s. A friend of mine even found an internship through the university that she started before she even began her 1st year at the school! And I know it sounds scary, but if you talk to the professors, often times they will allow you to help them with whatever work they happen to be doing (although that’s not very likely until you’re at least a 2nd or 3rd year.) Basically what I’m saying is that if you go looking for it, you’ll find something.</p>
<p>As for statistics on ChemEs getting accepted to med schools, I can’t really help you there. I know a lot of people do ChemE to go on to med school after just because it’s a great way to cover the med reqs while assimilating themselves to the incredible demand grad school will require.</p>