<p>I am undecided on my major but am considering an engineering major. I would like to take a course or two to “test the waters” and would otherwise apply to the college of arts and sciences (all the other options would be there).
Any other info that you deem helpful to answering my question will be happily given (to a degree…)</p>
<p>Well from what I know, the E-school (engineering) is only easier to get into than A&S if you have a strong engineering background/passion, which does not seem the case for you. You can also switch between schools when you get here, after a semester, even over summer senior year! If you get into the E-school, you don’t get to really pick your schedule for 1st semester so it’s pretty intense from what I gather. It would be less course testing and more submersion that way. On the other hand, if you got into A&S, they don’t care what you take so you could take 1 or 2 classes and see the kind of atmosphere both environments have. However, most of the rest of your classes would have to be carefully planned in the event you were to switch to engineering, because most CLAS (arts and sciences) classes won’t transfer. So sciences, math, and so on. But still not as intense as the all-engineering schedule. Both schools have really different requirements so it’s somewhat important that you figure out soon. I know someone who’s double majoring in the E-school and CLAS, and they have no life basically, so I think anything you do will end up better than that, anyways.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t necessarily say that the e-school is easier to get into…and I wouldn’t apply to a school based on the perception that it’s easiest to get into.</p>
<p>Sounds like applying to A&S and testing the waters at the e-school freshman year would be best.</p>
<p>The entire first year of E-school is “testing the waters.” You take two semesters of calculus, one-to-two semesters of chemistry, one semester of physics, two semesters of humanities, one semester of intro to engineering(intro to scientific aspects of Excel, Mathcad, and a semester-long project), one semester of computer science, and one semester of a science elective (second semester of chemistry, biology, pre-EE course, or material science). You will know if you’re REALLY ready for the E-school after your second semester since you have to declare your major then. </p>
<p>Also, it’s easier in the sense of acceptance rates to get into the E-school since it has less applicants than the College.</p>
<p>So if I am thinking about the E-school, apply this year, stick with it for a year, and switch at the end? That sounds extreme but if it is for me and I spend my first yr at A+S, it sounds tough to catch up with.</p>
<p>How is it extreme? The first year engineering curriculum is very general.</p>
<p>but if its not for me and i totally decide against an engineering profession, its like i wasted a year</p>
<p>No it isn’t. Look up the first year engineering curriculum then come back and tell me what you think.</p>
<p>Well I had trouble finding a concrete list of this and may not have found it at all but it seems very calculus/physics oriented. If I did this and then switched a major to something more social studies oriented, the classes wouldn’t help too much.</p>
<p>Sure it would. It would knock off distribution requirements. If you majored in a natural science, you’d already have your first year’s sequence covered. Ditto if you were premed. And if your social science major were economics, you’d benefit from the math.</p>
<p>I have seen plenty of people on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to majoring in engineering. Everyone has trouble with E-school courses. Students are required to take 4 nearly consecutive semesters of single/multivariable calculus, differential equations, and some form probability and statistics. The specific major are no joke. I am now typing this when I should be writing my calculator program for CS 216. There is a lot of work to do and it has to be done. However, I do know a few people who have transferred into engineering in the second year so it is not impossible. Sadly, they do have to backtrack. There are E-school-specific courses like intro to engineering (ENGR 162) and Science, Technology, and Society (STS 101) that are pretty embarassing to be taking in your second, third, or fourth year (like my frat brother). </p>
<p>Don’t take it from me. Meet more E-schoolers since they all have a different story. I’m just a second year who’s a semester ahead of schedule while always getting asked, “Are you trying to graduate early?” when I just want an easier schedule (HA!).</p>