<p>Hello again everyone!
I am at the point where I need to choose a major by this summer. I have tried different areas out, and I still cannot make a definite yes or no answer on any major.
What I love most is film making(which I have just found out this last year), but we all know that a degree in that field gets you nowhere. I have been writing scripts, and I could see myself as a screenplay writer, but the chances are slim of getting in the industry.
I have been wanting to major in Mechanical Engineering, but the math scares me. My current courses take me twice the time to complete the homework than your average student, so my life is cut down to mostly studying math. I am beginning to hate math now, and I don't know if engineering will work for me. I have an A average, but my days consist of Math, math, and math homework.
I am very creative; I love to design things. I have designed everything from detailed home architecture ideas to amusement park rides, from rebuilding tvs to designing and building robots in high school. Every test I take says I am creative, but there seems to be no jobs for those who are slow at math but have highly creative characteristics.
What should I do?!</p>
<p>Composer(what are the odds of actually becoming a good one)? Mech. Engineer?</p>
<p>You may be slow but it seems like you are handling it fine, congratulations! Once you get base the introductory mathematics, you will find that that things get easier in Engineering and there is more scope for creativity. Design is a significant part of the training of a Mechanical Engineer and that might be a good choice for you. Furthermore, if you are a good writer you may find that it pays of in an engineering career. After all, if you are bright and creative but cannot communicate it to others, what’s the point?</p>
<p>Ultimately, you need to find something that you can be excited about doing as a career. Not that you will necessarily be locked in but it will probably be your first job so it is best if you like it. Find out more about what Mechanical Engineering is all about then decide.</p>
<p>Are you still in hs? If college, what courses have you taken?</p>
<p>Bookmarked.</p>
<p>What do you mean by composer? You read music? Play an instrument? Write music? My mech engineer son does some of his, but I think there aren’t that many mech engineers he knows who read and write music.</p>
<p>I am graduating High School soon. Too many people have told me “you don’t have to choose a major yet!” but I didn’t want that answer again; so I didn’t mention that I was still in HS. I’d like to choose a college that ranks well in the top 3 majors I am interested in. That is why I ask these questions 
</p>
<p>I do read music a little bit. I absolutely love listening to orchestral music, writing basic music, and playing guitar(I know it is not a instrument for an orchestra, but I love playing it).</p>
<p>I have already won an award for one of my films, but it was in the kids-teens category so I don’t know that that will get me far.</p>
<p>Shrinkrap, that’s great he does! Awesome! Too bad so many people don’t. I hope that I can better my skills whether I major in a field related to music or not. It is fascinating. </p>
<p>Thank you xraymancs for your response! I will look into it some more.</p>
<p>" think there aren’t that many mech engineers he knows who read and write music."
I used to think that until we researched colleges for DS.<br>
- MIT not only has a music supplement process, they also offer an option for applicants that want to submit performance recording AND example composition.<br>
- At Case, we were told that one of the most common double majors is engineering + music. (That’s not easy to do at most campuses. But it showed me that there are lots of geeky musicians). </p>
<p>DS is an elec/comp eng students. He is an avid musician and gifted composer (he wrote 6 part scores for hs class plays). But it’s his keen math instinct that makes engineering a good fit. </p>
<p>Roboticme - Which math classes are a struggle for you? HS math? or Calc (where many of us had a slow start)?</p>
<p>@ colorado_mom, I started struggling in the middle of algebra 2. I am just finishing now with a b+ to a- average. </p>
<p>I didn’t know that about engineering and music double majoring! Thanks for sharing the info!</p>
<p>It would be easier to judge engineering fit if you had a sample of calc. If your are not sure, look at colleges that offer a variety of majors. </p>
<p>The Case example proves that there are engineering students who excel at music too. But at most schools it is really not possible to do music/engineering double major. There are not many overlapping courses. Your main passion seems film making - maybe you can weave that into your major somehow.</p>
<p>I missed the part about the film making, and especially about the fact that it was a new found interest. That was true for my son as well! He ended up applying to many schools for engineering, and one for film/television. He ended up getting admitted to the film/television program, then before he accepted, asked to change his major to engineering. He said engineering would be his “back up plan”, since he felt it was a little risky,and he likes to spend money. Anyway, he has managed to do some things on the side, but most of the time, engineering totally consumes his time.</p>
<p>@Colorodo_mom I think I may be able to squeeze pre-calculus in before I graduate.
@Shrinkrap I have been thinking of doing exactly what your son did. I have read that if you choose to do a career in film that you should not have a backup plan, because all have one seem to give up right away because they have a degree in a different area; but those that don’t have one either fail hard, or do well. As of today, my plan is to double major in film and mechanical engineering(yes, even though it may not be wisest in other opinions)…if I find a school that will allow it. </p>
<p>Thank you for all of the replies that have helped me come to the conclusion that I am at right now. Though, I am still open to more comments if you have them!</p>
<p>" I think I may be able to squeeze pre-calculus in before I graduate. " - If you go the engineering path, you’ll need a plan for good pre-calc basis before college (or college advising for the best path). Calculus is key to many engineering courses, so you’ll want to be on track for math pre-req Another option is to start at community college.</p>
<p>@Colorado<em>mom I’d hate to have to start at a community college. I’ve heard - pretty much - nothing good about that path. I am starting some classes at my local community college soon(since it is free for high school students with good grades - before they start at the university), I hope I can get the pre-calc. done then. Placement tests will be key for me in this situation. Thank you for the info Colorado</em>mom!</p>
<p>Ah, that is is good that you can do a semester of pre-calc at CC. It will likely cover a full year’s worth of hs precalc. You’ll have a good taste prior to May college decision deadlines. </p>
<p>If you have trouble, take advantage of the CC resources. Also refer to Khan academy - some student really like find that website helpful [Trigonometry</a> and precalculus | Khan Academy](<a href=“http://www.khanacademy.org/math/trigonometry]Trigonometry”>Trigonometry | Khan Academy)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>At WPI, we have to take 6 courses in humanities and arts, as well as, all those other engineering things required for a degree. Only caveat is that you need to take 2 genres of H&A. So, you could do 5 classes music and 1 in history, for example. The school also has a HUGE theater following, which can be USED for credit! they do plays like every term, or so it feels, and the school has a large theater and a smaller theater.</p>
<p>Professor here also do stuff with computerized instruments, so you can blend your engineering and H&A rather nicely! :D</p>
<p>Thanks! I have heard that it will cover a years’ worth colorado_mom. Thanks for the link; I’m sure it will be of some help!</p>
<p>Bryman92 interesting stuff there. I’ll look into it! Thanks!</p>