Advice Needed - UVA vs. IUE + masters

Tim2367
Thu, 08 Aug 2013 21:25:07 +0000

Hi boneh3ad,

I guess I did not completely explain… It’s not like I “hate” math. I currently have a 4.00 GPA so it’s not like I am bad at math, but what I have found is in upper level math courses there is a tendency to focus on theoretical proofs of mathematical concepts instead of practical applications.

I have always been a creative, design oriented person. I enjoy creating things… even if it is just web development or designs in CAD software.

At the beginning of this year I decided to take some more engineering classes. I took statics, dynamics, and mechanics of materials. What I found is this… In every class, there was a basic trend that I really enjoyed. For example, when I approached a problem, I started with the graphical representation of the problem, analyzed what engineering concepts and equations applied, and then used math to solve for the answer.

In all three of these courses basically all the problems involved math, but it had a practical method to it based off the engineering equations and methods. For me the term “math” has come to imply more of a mathematical proof of a mathematical concept so I guess that is what I meant by saying that I did not really like “math” compared to engineering.

I guess I am just saying that the practical application of mathematics is what gets me excited.

If I go to UVA they will not accept the credit that I have through college board CLEP exams. This is what will cause it to be 3 years at UVA vs. 1.5 years at IUE.

What I am not sure about is this, since math at IUE will be so much less expensive and faster would it make more sense to finish math and then get an engineering masters instead of doing to UVA option? It’s not like I think I can’t do the B.S. in math and I am sure I would get a good gpa, but it is not like I would want to stop there.

If you were in the same case with the same interests, what of the two options would you do?