Hello,
I know that this may sound bad, but I messed up on a class this past semester and it has pushed my graduation plan back. I originally was behind, as I transfered and then changed my major here at UMD, but finally I found a program that I really like, which is Aerospace Engineering. This would mean that I would have to do a total of 3 more years from this point on as a rising senior, which really sucks. I did talk with Mechanical Engineering and I asked them what they thought, and they would require me to have a total of 5.5 years to complete their program while taking 3 summer classes. I am really passionate about the space program, but I don’t want to be in college forever. Has this happened to other people, and what is some advice that some people could give me.
Thanks
Just to be clear, it is not 6 years of engineering classes, but due to transfer AND change of major, the total years attending college will be 6 year in order to graduate with an engineering degree…?
I’m not sure what you are asking when you want to know if this has happened to other people…all engineers at Maryland have a pretty clearly defined 4 year plan that does not have much wiggle room to begin with. While some students come in with AP credits that may allow them to start with Calc 3 instead of Calc 1, start with Physics 2 instead of 1 and skip Chemistry for Engineers, that’s about the only way to “shortcut” the requirements.
Even then, students can’t jam advanced courses in sooner as they find speed bumps in the schedule due to prerequisite classes. The best I think any engineering student can hope for is getting it done in 7 semesters instead of 8 (assuming all 3 shortcuts with incoming credits I mentioned).
I understand it is frustrating to go to college more than 4 years, but transferring schools can create a speed bump if credits transfer that don’t meet the requirements for a particular major you want.
I would imagine you could do aerospace in the same 5.5 semesters by taking the same number of summer classes that MechE suggested. Aero and MechE are close cousin disciplines.
If you love the space program, you should go for that because then your time is well spent. Yes, you are going a total of 6 years, but at least you would be coming out with a degree in something that makes you happy. Many students graduate with a degree and still don’t know what they want to do for a career. Don’t think of it as 6 years to get an engineering degree. It’s only 4 years to get an engineering degree, with 2 years before that of finding your passion.
If you are asking in a general sense about messing up, I do know that it’s happened to other students, so don’t beat yourself up over it.It was a frustrating lesson, but could be far worse. You’re human, and engineering is extremely challenging. Do what you feel is right for you.
You would be surprised how many people this happens to. Just make sure you stay with it to the finish