I want to pursue a double major or major/minor in environmental engineering and international relations or political science. I am applying early decision through Quest Bridge to 11 schools: MIT, Caltech, Brown, Upenn, Columbia, Northwestern, USC, Dartmouth, Yale, Stanford, and Princeton.
However, I don’t know if its smarter to apply with engineering or international relations.
My resume shines in the global studies arena and I have a lot of languages behind my back.
On the other hand, I want to go into engineering after college. I’m afraid that my scores are on the low end for the most selective engineering programs. I also got a C in algebra II/ trigonometry. Then again, I feel like being a girl in this field could be an advantage as well.
What do you think is a better option for my application?
I want to study both equally. Which is better strategically?
If you got at least one C (or multiple Bs) in basic HS mathematics classes, then engineering may not be an appropriate college major (or career) choice for you … unless perhaps you have high standardized math test scores and can attribute the ~low grades to something like an illness or family crisis. If your SAT-M is below the median, then especially with anything less than “A” in your HS math courses, you may not be a realistic candidate for admission to engineering programs at such selective schools.
In fact, a C in algebra II/trig, combined with “scores on the low end”, may not bode well for admission to any programs at most of those colleges (which are among the most selective in the country). At MIT, the average SAT-M score is nearly 770; ~25% of enrolled freshmen scored a perfect 800 on that test. If your other qualifications are exceptional, you may have a shot at admission to arts & science programs at some of these colleges. Of course, you should be sure to have back-up applications to less selective match/safety schools.
What are your actual grades and scores? My two younger daughters (STEM) applied to many of the same schools, and obtained admission to several of those mentioned, so I have a good idea if the range you would need to be, in order to be competitive.
I have a 4.4 weighted GPA and 32 ACT score. I am still waiting for the results from the SAT Subject Tests I took at the beginning of the month.
I actually am interested in the same major and also am applying via questbridge! Good luck to yourself!
If some of these universities have to admit you to engineering then you may have to indicate engineering to get in and start engineering classes as a freshman. Please check each uni.
At Brown they do not admit separately. My own student applied undeclared which meant that she didn’t have to (or get to) do the science supplements but her application already had very strong science classes and ECs. When she was admitted, she was allowed to take any classes including engineering. The Brown application will let you explain your different interests:
Columbia is one that has its own college for engineering (SEAS) that you have to specifically apply to. Penn too, and probably some of the others as well.
I think your ACT is good, and your GPA as well. But it can be very hard to do engineering plus anything else, so think carefully about that. Would it even be possible to double major or major/minor with engineering at all of these schools? I think some of them don’t have IR at all, too. Do a little digging on that.
@Jcannon1023 Good luck to you as well! (:
Political science would also be great instead of IR. Also global studies or even linguistics. So @OHMomof2, when it comes to which I should apply to, international relations or engineering is better in terms of admissions statistics? Almost all of my schools allow either a double major or major/minor.
Here are the universities from my list which require you to apply to the specific school instead of the university: Columbia, Northwestern, Penn, USC
I think it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to double major at Columbia if one of the majors is engineering. You have all those reqs plus the core (slightly less core than Columbia College but not much less). Also, leaving SEAS, should you decide not to continue in engineering, means applying basically as a transfer to Columbia College. This would be the case at some or all of the other schools you listed above too, so be very very sure it’s what you want.
Engineering may be somewhat easier to get into as a woman, but it also may not, especially with a math C (is Alg 2 as high as you have gone with math to date or have you taken a higher level math and done well?)
I guess I’m saying consider carefully the concept of a double major of engineering and something else before you apply. And if you did apply as a poli sci major or an IR major, can you even DO engineering? At those 4 schools I think not.
I’m suggesting you not lock yourself in if you are truly not sure, and choosing engineering because it might be easier to get in, which I don’t think is accurate, is a terrible reason to choose it.
I self-studied Calc afterward and got a 4 on the exam.
The C was for the second semester only because I didn’t finish the last month of the class.
If I can’t do poli sci or IR, I will just take some classes pertaining to those majors. I definitely prefer majoring in engineering because of my goals for the future. Otherwise, both are interesting to me and a perfect scenario would be to study both.
Well then you might consider ranking your matches by the ability to do both, in addition to whatever other things you are looking for in a college (location, size, etc etc).
Can you talk to someone from QB about it?
Regardless of whether or not I do both, I need to choose one when doing the applications. I add the second one later on once I’ve been admitted. That’s why I am unsure which one to apply with.
QB is the financial side of thinks so it is unlikely.
Isn’t QB there to assist you in applying to these schools?
If engineering “wins” for you, then apply as an engineering student. I think a 4 on Calc (BC? AB?) mitigates that C, especially if there is a reason (you couldn’t finish?). You haven’t shared your other stats so IDK if your math scores on SAT/ACT/SAT Subject etc are high? Or your overall GPA?
This is also something to consider. Do you have any engineering ecs, or done anything engineer-related? Schools will want to see that you want to be an engineer not just because people say it’s high paying or whatever, but that you are truly interested and a track record of that interest is helpful. If you don’t have it, that may be an issue.
I was working two jobs my during the second semester of my senior year. Finally, in May when my mom kicked me out, I tried to catch up on my schooling, but I failed to finish math and history.
My GPA is 4.4 weighted and I have a 32 on my ACT overall.
I volunteered at a nature preserve for a few years. It was my first motivator to study environmental engineering. I also had an apprenticeship at a research center in Germany. I chose to focus on their energy division while I was there.
I’ve been working experimenting with biodegradable plastic using cellulose and starch for almost a year now-- since I finished my apprenticeship.
Awesome. Then I’d apply to the engineering schools and make sure the colleges know those things you did (the preserve, the German thing, and the biodegradable plastic work) , and you use the QB-specific parts to explain the kicked-out time as well.
I hope a more engineering-savvy parent will chime in now to add to what I’ve been able to say, because I am not an engineer nor are my kids.
Oh, I forgot to mention, I was at online school for my senior year.
I went abroad for the first semester and came home early to help my mom. Before I left, however, I was given the choice of GED or online. I couldn’t graduate any other way.
Well thank you so much for your help. (: I appreciate it.