<p>Sure, but weighing less than 300lbs is easy for the vast majority of the population…</p>
<p>VTjas81 … My son is looking to make his final decision on engineering schools. We are visiting VT on April 15. How did you like the first year? One post indicated that 1/3 of the freshman drop out of engineering. Can you give your perspective?</p>
<p>My S is finishing his 1st year in engineering (undeclared) at USoCal. So far, he’s found it very general & thinks he’ll be declaring electrical engineering. He chose to go to USC instead of choosing a U that ONLY has engineering just in case he decides for whatever reason that he doesn’t want to stay in engineereing. Another bonus is that he meeds lots of kids in other fields, which helps him be more “rounded” (for example, his room mate is an English major).
There are LOTS of kids who switch majors at various points in college. Engineering has a LOT of math, physics & science. Some kids decide they aren’t interested in those subjects at some point, which I believe is why many opt for other fields. Likely, there are many advisors like my kids’ who recommends that all kids who like math & science start out in engineering & can switch out if they decide it’s not for them (which accounts for some of the attrition). It’s often easier to switch OUT of engineering than switch INTO engineering.</p>
<p>1550
2.7 gpa
UC Berkeley</p>
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EECS at Cal has to be one of the most intense majors in all of the US.</p>
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<p>I thought the dropout rate was 50%, I could be wrong. First semester was TOUGH. I got a 2.55 gpa first semester. The general engineering class was so anal about hw and everything. It frustrated me so much. But then again I know some people who did well their first semester but couldn’t keep the momentum so it depends on the person. Second semester was easier but it could be because I had to adapt to the new environment. Again it depends on their person. If you have more specific questions feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Bet77, if your son is motivated and really wants to be an engineer, he shouldn’t have a problem. I agree with VTjas81, the first semester can be rough, but mostly because it takes getting used to the fact you need to WORK, unlike my own high school experience. While there are a lot of smart kids at VT, there are also a lot of people who don’t know what they are getting into. I find it helps to know exactly what you want to do, or have at least a long-term goal. This helps getting past the freshman courses, which do not pertain as much to your actual major (math, english, etc.)
First semester I got a 3.2, but wasn’t really entirely sure I wanted to do engineering. Now that I am positive and thus highly motivated, I am looking to at least a 3.7 at a more difficult semester.</p>
<p>HS: 4.0</p>
<p>College: 3.7</p>
<p>Major: EE</p>
<p>Also put your SATs and college you attend.</p>
<p>Major: Computer Engineering
School: Milwaukee School of Engineering
ACT: 27
SAT: Did not take
HS GPA: 3.4
College GPA: 3.65
Year: Junior</p>
<p>Last semester was quite tough for me and I lost a few on my GPA but I’m hoping to regain that this semester as my classes are less stressful.</p>
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<p>this is so elitist and misinformed. yes engineers on average work a lot harder, but if you look at the top of any field you will find very intelligent people. just because someone isn’t interested in the same things you are you have the right to bash their interest? it seems unbelievably closed minded to assume anyone who isn’t interested in the same topics as you isn’t working as hard.</p>
<p>yes if a major is easier it will probably self-select a lot less but if you look at the people who do the best in any field they tend to be very intelligent people. i have met some dumb business majors but i have also met some that are extremely intelligent and will do very well in their chosen field. i can say the same psychology majors, journalism majors, history majors. just because a major is easy does not give you the right to berate people who choose it, i guarantee there are people a good deal smarter than you or i in those majors.</p>
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<p>Well, let’s hope his opinion has changed in the two years it’s been since he wrote that…! ;)</p>
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<p>I do take pride in the fact that I am an engineering major but you’re right there’s no reason to belittle other majors.</p>
<p>lol, good point aibarr, i didn’t see this thread the first time so i thought it was a new one, oh well, point still stands and i think his viewpoint is not at all uncommon on this forum</p>
<p>Major EE
Overall HS GPA 2.7 (No motivation, boring classes/teachers, social life, friends, track, video games)
Overall College GPA 3.7 atm
Community college GPA 3.9 (in the middle of nowhere so my social life sucked, worked out a lot to reduce stress/build physique, studied hard)
University GPA 3.3 atm (Harder classes, pretty girls are distracting, keeping strong work ethic still) ;)</p>
<p>Moving on campus this semester so well see how my GPA changes, hopefully it’ll still be good but this spring semester is going to be the hardest so far.</p>
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Elitist, sure. Misinformed? Highly unlikely.</p>
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Agreed.
Agreed.
Huh? When did I bash someone’s interest? I wasn’t even that interested in engineering! I just recognize that’s very very tough.
To which I refer you to:
Perhaps you should stop bashing them as well?</p>
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Agreed.
Agreed.
Agreed.
Where did I berate anyone. I just spoke the truth in virtually every respect. Engineering is harder. It requires a higher intelligence & time requirement for a similar GPA.
And I guarantee that the average engineer is a good deal smarter than the average business/psychology/history major.</p>
<p>School: Penn State (2nd Year M E)
SAT: 1100/1600
HS GPA: 4.0/4.0
College GPA (overall): 3.81/4.0
College GPA (major): 3.76/4.0</p>
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<p>what i am saying is that there is something inherently wrong with the idea behind it. since when did marketability have anything to do with how difficult something is? how can you argue that there is nothing inherently wrong with belittling people who don’t happen to have the math/science skills that engineers tend to have? i have far far more respect for an art history major who chose their major because they are truly passionate about art history than an engineering major who picked engineering because they wanted to make 70k/year out of college.</p>
<p>Mr. Payne here stereotypes college majors like people. Which leads me to think…If engineering were a race of human…what race would it be…</p>
<p>Question…does in major GPA include ALL the requirements you need to graduate (i.e. Calc, Physics, basic programming courses, etc.), or is it only specifically classes contained within your major, say class names ME 2604, ME 2615 for ME’s?</p>