Stupid question inside about BS and MS degrees

baktrax
Sun, 24 Nov 2013 19:19:09 +0000

I would tend to agree with your professor who said that its easier to go from engineering to a more basic science than the other way around. As an Earth Science major, you may not get the advanced math/physics/engineering courses that you would have as an engineering major. I’d recommend that you look at the master’s programs specifically to see if they require a certain major or certain coursework, but it is like much too early for you to be really focused on what master’s degree you’re going to get.

If you are considering engineering vs. Earth Science, I’d recommend starting as an engineering major since it’s often easier to go off the engineering tract than to get on it later in the game and still graduate on time.

Also, I went to UCSD, and my understanding is that they admit you to the university and then to your major/college. Applying for Earth Science over engineering shouldn’t make any impact at all on whether or not you get into the school. If the major you choose is impacted, then you’ll be admitted as your second choice major or as undeclared. I don’t know if it’s the same now, but when biology was impacted, it was actually better to apply as a biology major as an incoming freshman because it was easier to get in to the major as a freshman than as a continuing undergraduate.