<p>I'm having troubles deciding between majors and I was wondering how difficult it is to transfer into an engineering school once accepted to a university. </p>
<p>For example... let's say I was to go to Columbia as an economist major, but then realized that I was actually more interested in engineering; how difficult would it be for me to transfer into their engineering school?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t think it would be too hard to switch between the two since they are math heavy subjects. It’s usually when students go for something like African American Studies and try to switch into Engineering or such that causes a problem. That’s why people shouldn’t try to get in a school the “easier” way by choosing a major that is less competitive at “x” school.</p>
<p>It depends on the school. At UT-Austin, it can be pretty difficult to switch from economics to engineering. You have to have a good GPA and apply to switch. Certain departments, such as architectural or biomedical engineering, are harder to get into than others.</p>
<p>Well, what I was concerned about is that when originally applying to an engineering school, you are required to take additional subject tests (in physics or chemistry) and submit an additional essay… so I feel like they wouldn’t just let me switch my major considering I wouldn’t have done all those things.</p>
<p>To answer the question posed by the OP: In order to switch at Columbia, you would need to apply as a formal transfer student to switch from the liberal arts college to the engineering school.</p>
<p>From what I have been reading on CC, it seems like schools have much more red tape to go through in order to change majors than back in MY day. I would have said that if one takes the Calculus sequence (I,II.II), Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, the Physics sequence, a Computer Science and a Statistics course that they could switch to an engineering program.</p>
<p>There are two seperate issues - qualification/prereq courses, and bureaucracy. </p>
<p>As an econ major you will probably take sufficient math courses, but will be deficient in other areas unless you make a deliberate effort - most colleges have some type of “general education” requirements in sciences, arts, and humanities, and you may be able to use these to keep “eligible” for engineering for at least the first year or two. At some point, of course, switching will require additional time, but that is a seperate issue.</p>
<p>As to the bureaucracy, that varies tremendously between universities. Some schools will require some formal procedure for switching between colleges, and it may be quite burdensome. In addition, ABET places enrollment restrictions on engineering majors, and at some schools switching into controlled majors is completely impossible - be wary of that one, as there is often no appeal. Check with your schools of interest, because they can generally tell you this pretty specifically.</p>