<p>I don’t think hardness of major can be measured by one person’s experience. I think that something is considered “hard” when a smaller number of the population can succeed at it. </p>
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<p>Some schools have floors under which they will not interview. If that floor is a 3.5 for an unhooked applicant, this ChemE has zero chance at such a grad school since the computer will auto-reject him/her.</p>
<p>“An engineering major isn’t necessarily harder.”
-I disagree wholeheartedly. It is much much harder. I do not know what personal experience you have. I have been in engineering for many years (including working). I never had problem with academics, but I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing at all, none could be compared to engineering. I never liked History either, my D. also hated it and it was her hardest class in HS, I believe that she spend most of her homework time on History.<br>
None of these experiences diminish the very high academic level of the engineering classes. In addition, k - 12 in the USA totally and completely fail to prepare kids for college engineering majors, does not come any close.<br>
Again, it does not mean that having straight A’s in engineering major is not possible. No, not at all, it is possible. But the engineering majors have to work so much harder than even most science majors. If a kid in engineering major has an easy time, we are talking about genius. </p>
<p>Lots and lots of kids might major in engineering because their interest lie in where medicine and technology converge. As in many things do do with higher education and future goals, things evolve and perceptions change, sometimes very quickly. </p>
<p>I wonder if the UCB med recommendation committees would be smitten with a media major. </p>
<p>There is a reason I said “isn’t necessarily” harder-- to avoid a generalization-- and I gave a concrete example that contradicts the assumption that engineering is necessarily harder. I think such terms are relative (you are comparing things when you use a term like harder). I don’t think absolutes apply to discussions like these, but to each his/her own. I guess I happen to live with geniuses in my home and all around me here in silicon valley 
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<p>Very well said. I am finishing a BS in Chemistry this term and I took advanced/graduate classes in bio, chem, biochem, and physics. I also took classes across a wind range of other disciplines. The “hardest” classes I took over these four years (in terms of how long it took to master the topics) was by far my Music Theory classes. #:-S </p>
<p>I imagine both “students” would get an interview somewhere. The interview is key, Either student could get in or be rejected based on the interview. Choosing a major in college should in my opinion be based on desire and interest. I am sympathetic to those who want a fall back career, but I hope they would like the field a little bit. Picking a major just because you think it looks good doesn’t seem wise. When I interviewed applicants my first thoughts were always " would this person be a good classmate and would this person be a house officer I would enjoy working with". I figured the school had decided they could do the work. So choose a major you like and do well in all your courses and on the MCATS</p>
<p>"The “hardest” classes I took over these four years (in terms of how long it took to master the topics) was by far my Music Theory classes. "
-BTW, Music Theory were my D’s easiest R&R classes that were part of her Music Composition minor. But it does not prove anything at all. The simple comparison would be that 5 years is normal for Engineering major while 4 years is normal for other majors. There are exceptions. But at D’s UG program (as one example) one was not allowed to gradute with engineering major in 4 years. I have been on both sides, engineering and non-engineering. As one person with one brain and the one who tends to be very strong in all math and physics (all across), and also the one who was in school until her 40s (while working full time), I can attest that despite of my huge preference for all the math, physics and specifical complete understanding of Electirical Engineering concepts, engineering is still way way harder than anything else that I have ever studied (mostly CS, IT and business). There are geniuses who will disagree. But for the rest of population, do not expect to walk in and have fun with it, you will have to work very hard and have much less of free time getting your As than your normal regular pre-med in any other major.<br>
BTW, one of D’s hardest class was Paper Making and I have warned her about it, but she was stubborn about having some art class after years and years of group and private art lessons outside of school. She has learned her lesson. Art is simply very time consuming at college level. </p>
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<p>Most engineering majors at most schools are designed to be completed in four years, although many students do not (many students in other majors take more than four years as well).</p>
<p>"MiamiDAP wrote:
But at D’s UG program (as one example) one was not allowed to gradute with engineering major in 4 years.
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<p>I think that if that’s Miami-Ohio’s policy, then that is somewhat ridiculous. If what they mean that is that they want students to do a co-op or some kind of summer class, then fine, but to insist that they take more than 4 years is crazy. Some kids come in with Calc I and II complete and Physics complete. Some even have DifEq complete. </p>
<p>Edited to add…
I just looked at M-O’s engineering and most disciplines do allow a 4 year graduation. There are a couple that have a 5th year one semester. </p>
<p>The school doesn’t have MechE and EE.</p>