<p>I have made it through my freshman year at USC (barely) as an engineering major. The classes are really tough…it is clear to me that my high school’s science program didn’t give me enough preparation for what I’ve encountered in college. But thanks to academic support and my determination, I’ve made it through. But gone are my days of straight A’s (today a B or even a C is looking really good). However, in all my Freshman non-science classes, I’ve received A’s - I have really enjoyed these liberal arts classes and through somewhat challenging they have been sooo easy by comparison to the math and science classes. </p>
<p>So here is my dilema, before I entered college I decided to accept the challenge of taking on a hard major like engineering, because I believe that the world needs more science and math oriented people even though I really don’t have a passion for science or math. I was hoping that in college I would find an area in these fields that I can embrace…so far nothing, but then again I’m only a freshman.</p>
<p>Because of my grades in the science and math classes, my college GPA has dropped to 3.3, so I’m thinking that my options for grad school in math or science or medicine, etc. are also evaporating because grades do matter.</p>
<p>I have no idea what to do…should I keep going in engineering and end up with a degree that I struggled for with a GPA that is unimpressive or do I dump science and go for a liberal arts and end up with a better GPA? (Though I have no idea what I’d do with a liberal arts degree either.)</p>
<p>What a difficult choice. I can imagine it is hard to love a subject right now that kicks you in the rear. Give yourself a little time to recover from your difficult year!</p>
<p>You mentioned that you didn’t get the proper science/math foundation in HS and I wonder if you may have “caught yourself up” this year, meaning future courses might be more manageable? Also, some difficult majors have their toughest courses for freshmen in order to weed them out. Future courses might not be so extreme–you might ask around about this. One thought is–sign up for classes for your engineering major and try them out. When you look over the books and syllabus, meet the teacher, and try out a few classes, you might be relieved–or you can always drop them if you really feel overwhelmed. Was there one science/math/engineering prof or grad student who might give you advice? What you are feeling (grade shock, confusion, fear) may be pretty common among freshmen, so it would be good to find out if this is a normal feeling and if it does, indeed, get better for most students.</p>
<p>On the other hand, since you enjoyed your non-science and non-math classes, and also did so well in them, you might want to switch majors or at the very least, get a minor in a Liberal Arts subject. You ask what one can do with a LA degree and it isn’t a clear path to a well-paid entry level job, that’s true. Many go on to Law School, or go to grad school and eventually teach. Some go on to get teaching credentials and teach high school. Others get jobs in business. You should visit the career center at USC and get their input on how Liberal Arts graduates do and where they end up. Another possibility is to finish pre-med requirements along with getting a LA degree.</p>
<p>Is your family putting pressure on you to stay in engineering? If not, switching to Liberal Arts sounds like what you want to do at this point.</p>
<p>Many, many students will change their majors over the course of 4 years. Some more than once. I hope that you have some good advisers in your department and in CLAS with whom you can discuss your options.</p>
<p>I don’t have a good answer or advice for you. I just want to say that both of my sons said that engineering is the toughest major at USC and they had many friends who changed out of it after the first year- not all, of course. S2’s roommate is sticking with it (just finished first year) and actually doing well. </p>
<p>Try to stay with Engineering. Can you pinpoint which area of math or science which is your strength? For example, if you like biology, then maybe biomed engineering would be good. What about the combined CS/Business administration major? Ask around which classes/professors might be a better fit for you. I also like the idea of a minor in liberal arts with a minor chosen in an area where you think you will get A’s and enjoy. Also, do you think it might help if you take a summer school class in math/science which might give you learning to help you in the fall? The job market will be great when you graduate and you will appreciate your engineering degree in another 3 years.</p>
<p>USC engineering graduate school is considered one of the top 15 or so in the US.</p>
<p>The average GPA of a student admitted to the USC engineering graduate school is a 3.4</p>
<p>Looks to me like a 3.3 is doing just fine. Not sure about the med school link admission and engineering GPA though. Sounds like a question for a USC med school admin rep</p>
<p>Note "3. When looking at GPAs, do medical schools take into consideration that UC Berkeley is a difficult school (there is not much grade inflation)? While schools do take note of where you graduate from, medical schools will not add extra points to your GPA or application for being an engineer. Keeping your GPA up (3.4+) is extremely important. "</p>
<p>Sorry I didn’t reply sooner, but I’m in the depths of a really nasty summer session class…trying to get another of the tough classes off my required list. Thank you all for your input…it doesn’t look as hopeless as I thought.</p>
<p>I’m going to stay with it a bit longer. Geez…I thought “Fight On” only applied to USC sports…I feel like it really applies to making it though my engineering classes!</p>
<p>obviously you don’t like it, then you shouldn’t try to devote your life to it because then you’ll just be miserable. World may need more math and science oriented people, but there ARE already alot of math/science oriented people who AREN’T you. Do what you want to do provided it’ll make you some living.</p>