<p>Since my childhood, I have always been a creative little kid. Designing mansions and cars on a regular basis, i have some skill in sketching what my mind sees. However, I also am intrigued in mathematics and physics, excelling in both. With a 30 on my act and a 3.95 unweighted gpa, im hoping to get accepted into Cal Poly, CMU, and possibly berkeley (preferably the first two). </p>
<p>With that information of me, im hoping you can help me.</p>
<p>I'm completely torn between majors. Im thinking mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, robotics, or even industrial design - and, ofcourse, im looking for the major that will give me a safe, reliable career in this depression. Im really looking to combine my love of design and math (maybe making the house-or car-of the future, just to give you an idea); however, most majors make you choose between design or math. Stupid. </p>
<p>So, my question is this - </p>
<p>1.) What major would you recommend for me - financially and combining my love of design and math</p>
<p>2.) What college would best suit this major (preferably between Cal Poly and CMU but others are welcome!)</p>
<p>Thanks so much for helping a confused kid out! It really means a lot!</p>
<p>I’m a current CMU freshman (and absolutely in love with the school), so much of what I’m going to say is going to be pretty CMU-specific.</p>
<p>CMU is a phenomenally good environment for this kind of thing. You sound like the perfect case for the [BXA</a> program](<a href=“BSA Program - BXA Intercollege Degree Programs - Carnegie Mellon University”>BSA Program - BXA Intercollege Degree Programs - Carnegie Mellon University)—you could study math within the science school (MCS) and do design or architecture. =) Quite a lot of people are doing similar programs—art and CS/science/humanities are the current options—and I’m strongly considering trying to do an internal transfer into it. In this case you wouldn’t have to select a single major to combine your interest in math and design; you’d get to study both.</p>
<p>If you do have to decide on a specific major, though, it might be helpful to go and look at colleges you’re interested in and investigate the classes required for each different major. It’s a good way to figure out what will end up being most interesting to you…knowing things like, “Oh, I’m going to need classes in statics and sustainable architecture”, for example, make it clear what intellectual areas you’re going to explore in that major and at that school.</p>
<p>Ever think about informatics, specifically data visualization? There are some blogs out there that can give you a feel for the field: flowingdata.com, coolinfographics.com, etc.</p>