Hello everyone. This is my first time posting on college confindietial. So here is my situation. I am a sophomore in Texas I would like to be an engineering student in college. I don’t love math, but I love science and understanding how things work. I would Ideally do Mechanical engineering or Civil engineering, and get a Masters in something like Petroleum Engineering or Aerospace engineering because in the end, as long as you don’t dislike your job and it pays well, why not do it? I love engineering, designing, and planning, so why not be an Petroleum engineer and get paid a lot? Is this a bad mentality?
My dream in state universities are Texas A&M, Texas Austin, and University of Houston. At the moment I have no out of state universities, because most of the time I fall in love with the city not the school itself. Is that bad? Could someone recommend some out of state engineering schools that could get me a Masters degree in 5 ½ years or less? Or may be some international schools?
In my school about 40% are in the IB program, so their class ranks are higher then mine naturally. Below I posed my classes I plan on taking till the end of the year. Are these good class? Will they prepare me for college? What do you all recommend? I also put my GPA for this year and last year. I was going to go for a 3.5, but counselor said it’s pretty impossible.
Pre High School
Academic Pentathlon
Spanish I (Pre-Ap)
Speech (Regular)
Algebra I (Honors)
Econmics (regulars
Freshman – 2.8
English I (Pre-AP)
World Geography (Honors)
Biology (Pre-AP)
Geometry (Pre-AP)
Spanish II (Regulars)
Academic Octathlon I (Honors)
IB Art I (IB)
Soccer (.5) (Regular)
Prin. Engineering (.5) (Regular)
Sophomore - 3.7
English II (Pre-AP)
World History (AP)
Chemistry (Pre-AP)
Algebra II (Pre-AP)
Spanish III (Pre-AP)
Academic Octathlon II (Honors)
Film II (IntH)
Construction Mgnt. (Regulars)
*Junior
Language & Comp (AP)
US History (AP/DC)
Physics I: Algebra (Pre-AP)
Pre - Calculus (Pre-AP)
*Psychology or Computer Science (Pre-AP)
Academic Decathlon III (Honors)
Film III (IB)
*Color Guard (Regulars)
Personal Study
• AP Spanish Language
• Physics C: electromagnetism
*Senior
Liturature & Comp (AP)
US Government (AP/DC)
Intro to Psychology (AP/DC)
*Chemistry / Food science (AP or IB / Regulars)
*Calculus AB (Pre-AP) – Not taking the test
*Psychology or Computer Science (Pre-AP)
Academic Decathlon III (Honors)
Film IV (IB)
*Color Guard (Regulars)
Personal Study
• SAT
• Physics C: Mechanics
What you should do is study hard, take a challenging course load,and study for the SAT/ACT. Those three things will help you most in getting in to a good college. Unless you get your grades up getting in to UT will be problematic with their top 7% rule.
Add UT Dallas and Texas Tech to your list. Good schools and affordable.
OOS school
Colorado School of Mines http://www.mines.edu/NewFreshmen for petroleum engineering plus more.
OOS. Definatly going on my list. But as Erin’s Dad said about a challenging course load… does this not look challenging? If not, how could I improve it?
It does look challenging. I was making a blanket statement about what you need to do to get into college
Alright then, what about my GPA? Is ot bad at this point in the year?
Also, is anyone familiar with school that accept top 25% kids?
If so would you recommen . Statics in place of my computer science?
All courses with.a. * next to them are open to revision
You want to try for engineering school, but have no AP math classes. That could be problem.
What does food science/ chemistry mean?
Engineering is a tough major. You need to be good at math. What the posters are telling you is to work very hard.
Also, now is a good time to bring up the issue of money with your parents. OOS schools are expensive.
Oh sorry, senior year calculus should say AP. And senior psychology/ Compter Science
So you recommend i do more math prep then science? Noted.
How doesthis look
*Junior
Language & Comp (AP)
US History (AP/DC)
Physics I: Algebra (Pre-AP)
Pre - Calculus DC
Cromputer Science 1 (Ap)
Academic Decathlon III (Honors)
Film III (IB)
*Color Guard (Regulars)
Personal Study
• AP Spanish Language
• Physics C: electromagnetism
*Senior
Liturature & Comp (AP)
US Government (AP/DC)
Intro to Psychology (AP/DC)
*Physics 2 -algebra base AP or IB
*Calculus AB (AP) – Not taking the test
*Psychology or Computer Science (Pre-AP)
Academic Decathlon III (Honors)
Film IV (IB)
*Color Guard (Regulars)
Personal Study
• SAT
• Physics C: Mechanics
Also how will you self-study for Physics C? This is a calculus based class.
You schedule is fine but does not scream out “future engineer”. Pursuing a degree because you think you will make money is OK; in fact people do this all the time, but you need aptitude for the subject. You should be taking AP Physics, Calculus, and Computer Science.
Is there a class you really like? Do any of the medical careers like being a nutritionist or physicians assistant interest you? You are taking a lot of film classes. Do you really enjoy film? Do you have a talent?
Also do you recommend a different 2nd math then Comp Science? Like Stats? My school has every AP and IB couse
I love designing, drafting, and creating anythng to DEATH.mostly robotics. Im on my schools team. and when i say personal study, i mean ill be studying from that summer(10th grade) to my senior year to takethe test… mostly becuase of my schools low pass rate
Let me explain my extra curricular corses
Ac dec - Shpw commitment
Film - i build alot of rigs and do alot of editing and computer work.
Comp Science - 2nd Math
Color guard - i need 2 gym credits to graduate recommended.
Alright… here come more questions.
What Kinds of math courses should I take to prepare for engineering
My Attempt at Engineering Prep Courses
Pre-Calculus
o I like some math classes, and tolerate others. This class is so I can see what engineering math is like.
o Do you recommend something else?
Academic Decathlon
o I hear colleges like dedication in a program or organization for a long time… but the furthest my team has ever been was 24th in the State…
o Is this pretty much useless in to colleges during my college hunt? If so, I don’t mind dropping the class and adding another math course.
Computer Science
o I wanted to take a 2nd math course for prep for college engineering. It’s the only 2 year long math course my school offers besides Calculus.
o Should I drop this so I can be in the Robotics class? Do you recommend a 3rd? Or do you think I should do Stats? This class is completely changeable.
Film
o Despite the class being called film, we only make about 2-3 movies each school year. Most of the time we learn about building cameras, how the computers work, and trying to understand how something that happens in a movie is possible. I take it because I enjoy problem solving and learning how to build new things… I extremely dislike shooting. I take it solely because every month we learn to build something new.
o Do you think colleges wouldn’t understand this even if I put it in my essay? Do you recommend dropping it for the robotics class?
Physics I
o I am more interested in the Science aspect of engineering. I LOVE and excel in science. I personally don’t care what science I take, as long as I’m learning something I didn’t already know. So I don’t mind any recommendations.
o Senior year, I was just choosing the only science that stated during the summer. Now I’m changing it to Physics 2.
Engineering classes will be built on calc. You need to be solid there. If Pre-Calc is what you need to get there then take it.