<p>I’m still wavering between whether I should do engineering or just plain science. I would love to do either of them - I love both the the application aspect of engineering and the research aspect of science, but I cannot do both… because: I want to double major (or 1-2 minors) in one of the humanities in addition to pursuing a parellel Bachelor of Music in Peabody. </p>
<p>So I want to find the most do-able science/engineering major. Here is my pros/cons: </p>
<p>Science (any science major in KSAS except Physics)
PROS
-the major requirements are more flexible and more compatible with a humanities major
-my AP credits seem to count toward the major a lots
-more freedom to take other classes and/or less stress with basically 3 majors
CONS
-it seems like a “easy-way-out” (since I’m not thinking about physics)
-I’m not thinking about going to grad school immediately after undergrad, and it seems like science majors NEED to get a grad degree before they get any decent jobs. </p>
<p>Engineering (just all engineering majors except BME - since I did not appy)
PROS
-more decent jobs immediately after graduation, not really needs a grad degree as urgently as a science major
-I’m all excited to learn how things work!
CONS
-very rigid major requirement with little compatibilty with humanities majors
-I’m afraid of stressing out in doing a demanding engineering program AND a demanding music performance degree AND a humanities…
-many of my AP credits do no count toward the majors</p>
<p>My questions:</p>
<p>1) Please comment on my PROS/CONS list. Any suggestion as to which way I should go? </p>
<p>2) Current JHU engineering students: how easy is it for you to do another major in addition to the cores in engineering?</p>
<p>3) For someone like me (basically undecided but with a focus), what frehsmen classes should I consider? (I have AP credits in Cal BC, Chem, Bio, Stat, Econ, and perhaps fist half of Physic C [highly unlikely though])</p>
<p>If you’re planning on getting a triple major, getting a BS in Engineering seems like it will be very very tough. All engineering programs nationwide are accredited by ABET, so they have fairly strict and ridig requirements. </p>
<p>Have you give any thought to what do you want to do after you graduate? Grad school? Work in science? In the humanities? Music? Given your broad interests in the humanities and music, it seems like getting a BA degree in the sciences might be a good option.</p>
<p>As for classes for the fall semester, because of all your AP credits, you’re in a fairly odd position. Most of the basic requirements that overlap throughout engineering and science majors have been covered by your AP credits. You really need to sit down and try to get a feel for what you’re interested in. If you can narrow it down to a few areas, then you should be able to take some introductory classes freshman year. For example, most science majors and some engineering majors will require Organic Chemistry I, which you could take. In addition, any humanities classes you choose to take will count towards your humanities major as well as towards your science/eng distribution requirements. As for math, while all engineering majors will require you to take more math, few (if any) of the science majors will. You’ll have to decide if you’re interested in taking more math classes. If you do take Calc III (or LinAlg or DiffEq) and decide to major in the sciences, these will count towards your “Q” distribution requirements.</p>
<p>I hope that made some sense. You’re situtation is pretty complicated - you’ve already covered most of the basics with AP credits and you’ve yet to decide where you want to focus your studies. I think that majoring in the sciences will be a much better option for you because of the flexibility offered by the BA degree programs. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>The Econ degree at Hopkins is a BA. As for engineering programs that offer B.A.'s ([list</a> here](<a href=“http://engineering.jhu.edu/academicaffairs/ug_majors_and_minors/]list”>http://engineering.jhu.edu/academicaffairs/ug_majors_and_minors/)), I have a feeling (though I’m not positive) that the BA programs are not ABET accredited. These programs allow you take more humanities classes and are easier to double major with, but the engineering degrees they result in are not officially accredited (I think this means that you don’t qualify for the “Professional Engineeer” title).</p>
<p>To the OP: Read Michelle’s reply to your post on the official message boards.</p>
<p>Is there any difference between BA and BS degrees in the eyes of recruiters/employers? The reason I’m asking is that at other schools, Economics majors are given a BS degree.</p>
<p>There is a huge research aspect to engineering at JHU. It’s really research focused (you see you can always go into industry having being trained as a research engineer but not the other way around.) There is a lot of focus on research at JHU – go out and find something new in your engineering field don’t just keep putting the same lego blocks together over and over again.</p>
<p>Thanks for your advises! I think I’ll go with science too, somehow I’m leaning toward Biophysics now…</p>
<p>scorp: some engineering programs do not require as many science credits, e.g. intro to biology and chemistry are not part of the requirement. That means I can only use them (if I’ll major in that engineering field) for distribution credits…</p>