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Originally Posted by Jeff Waegelin
So, I have a problem. I'm currently a first-year student in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, but I am as yet undeclared in my major. Unfortunately, I have to make that decision by next Thursday, when I schedule classes for next fall, but I have only managed to narrow my choices down to 3 (very broad) fields: Aerospace, Electrical, and Mechanical. Pretty broad, eh?
Anyways, I would greatly appreciate any help in choosing a field, so if you have some experience in any of these areas, please post with any advice you have on how to make this choice. Thanks!  |
Well, ok so you're first year and you're undecided? I think that's a problem many engineering students have and
answering all the questions asked in this thread will help you a lot in picking a path.
I think you've done well in process of elimination. That's one way I chose ME but I also had influence from my dad being an ME. The fact that ME is so broad was one thing that attracted me to it. I think you can pretty much do anything with a degree in ME. In engineering curriculums you typically have electives to take, which can include other engr discipline courses. In many engr disciplines, a lot of the courses are very similar. Some courses between aerospace and ME tend to overlap, whereas there's an obvious difference between EE and ME. When I was in freshman year, it was all "freshman engineering" that everyone took the same classes (chem, english, physics, math, etc). Then second year you started to get a little more into "engr" classes, but yet most disciplines had a different version of the same classes. Third year is when it really starts to get tailored to your discipline.
It all comes down to understanding what each discipline is about and what you're interested in. And, since you're first year, despite what you might think, you still have plenty of time to change your mind. I knew people that switched engr majors their junior or senior year. Not saying that it's wise, but if you realize that you're really not happy, then change. It may be easier to switch from some to others because of the course overlappings, but ultimately, just go with your gut and see how you like it.
So they may force you to declare a major, but it's so that they can get you started in a particular curriculum. But don't be afraid to change your mind. When you're in ME, you still end up taking a few EE courses. I think it's the same in reverse. And I think that a lot of Aero and ME classes are pretty much the same, but with a different spin on it geared towards Aero applications.
Hope this helps a little!