<p>For Engineering students. Is it when you can't beat the curve for your pre-req classes (Chem142 series, Phys 121 series, Math124 series, etc.)? Like if you get below the average for Chem (with is about 2.7 GPA) is it time to rethink your major?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>If you can only get the average GPA in classes that count towards your major, you should definitely get a new major.</p>
<p>I agree with dawei. If you can’t handle intro classes, what more with upper division courses?</p>
<p>I would say that at UW, you should be getting at the very least 3.5 in classes related to your major, especially if you plan on continuing education after undergrad (even higher if you’re premed, want to go somewhere prestigious, or both)</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s true. I got C’s in my weeder engineering classes at USC and ended up with a 3.26 when I graduated. Weeder classes are designed to weed out those who can’t or don’t want to hack it; the curves are atrocious. </p>
<p>If you really want to be in engineering, do your best and move on to the classes that interest you. On the other hand, if you hate it, then change before you get too far down the road.</p>
<p>It does sometimes make a difference though. In some cases of engineering, such as CSE, your application into the major weighs heavily on your grades in the intro courses (CSE 142/143). My TA once told me that if you didn’t have a 3.8, you should go looking for a new major.</p>
<p>I don’t know about USC, but at UW at least, if its a subject you’re really interested in getting a 3.5 in a weeder class is not that difficult</p>
<p>If you get below a 3.0 in pre-reqs you’re probably a weed out.</p>
<p>Yep, I forgot UW doesn’t pre-admit like USC does. I imagine the weeder classes might be a bit easier if everyone’s competing.</p>
<p>I’d say 3.5 minimum is seriously pushing it, but it also depend on the major. You should probably be getting about 3.0s in the prereqs and DEFINITELY above the curve (2.6-2.8 range)</p>
<p>@speedsolver</p>
<p>That’s very true when it comes to the CSE department. I applied to CSE under Accelerated Admissions and got rejected with 4.0s in 142 and 143 and a 3.9 overall GPA. I think part of it was because my heart wasn’t in the right place when I wrote the essay (decided to go the EE route, applied CSE as backup), but still, admissions into that program is pretty crazy.</p>
<p>@richan90: Wow, pretty crazy there. Congrats on getting into EE though, especially since that is where you really wanted to study!</p>
<p>richan90: …what. That is beyond ridiculous. Sure, you probably would have been accepted through Upper Admission, but I would have thought you’d be accepted through Accelerated in the first place.</p>
<p>Personally I’m applying to both EE and CS this admissions cycle (I thought a double major might be interesting). Hopefully it works out.</p>
<p>Edit: Regarding the original topic, above the curve is a good place to be (like others have said already).</p>