ENGINEERS: Were you brilliant in highschool?

Question

Hi guys!
I'm graduating highschool in 07' and my teachers reccomended engineering. They asked me if I had a "good understanding" in math and physics. To tell you the truth I couldn't answer them.
My marks are good (average is 84) but I'm petrified about going into it
I like physics and I sometimes like math.

So my question (now that you know how much of a worry wart I am)

Did you love physics and math in highschool?
Were your marks amazing?
Did you have a "deep understanding"?
And is engineering brutal in university like they make it out to be?

I AM taking all the courses I need (physics, math 30, calculus)

I am just freaking out that I'm going to get there and there's going to be all these brainy guys (I'm a girl PS) who are completly brilliant and I'm going to fail miserably.
PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Answer 1

I think a good question is how qualified your teachers are to make this recommendation. They should know if you have a "good understanding" or not before making any recommendation like this. A trip to you HS counselor might be helpful as well.

But the real question is how much does engineering interest you? Engineering is such a broad term, you can work in so many different fields. (I work in commercial building design). Now is definitely a good time to think about things like that, but you have LOTS of time to figure that out.

Now, I was naturally good at math and physics, and yes it is an advantage, but it's not a requirement.

If you are coming from say a typical honors systems (1 yr physics and 1 yr calc), you'll be fine. If you come out of a "gifted" or whatever they call it these days (2 yrs physics, 2 yrs calc) then that's a big advantage.

But I think that unless you are in a truly elite engineering school (like MIT, or Princeton, and believe me, I didn't go to one of those), I would think that 1 year physics and 1 year calc would be normal. I went to a good, but not elite, engineering school. I would say there were a lot more people who thought they were brilliant than were actually brilliant. Most were just hard working students with some interest or skill in math and science like you.

There will be more young men than young women. I'm sure it's less today than when I was in school (89-93).

As for how hard engineering is, that's a pretty tough question. I think it depends on what discipline of engineering you want to study. Some are much harder than others. I would say materials and electrical are pretty difficult. Mechanical at little less than those. Architectural (my degree) a little less difficult than mechanical. Civil least difficult of all. And there are plenty of other disciplines as well. Aeronautics, chemical, industrial, etc.

So, rather than worry about how hard it will be, think about what you might want to study in college, or what you might want to do as a career. Talk more with your teachers. What interests you in school? Use those things to explore potential majors in college or even potential careers. Interview some people that have a job that you might be interested in. Most engineers I know would be glad to help a young student make a good decision.

Good luck with those college applications...

Answer 2

Well, I studied Mechanical Engineering at College. My fellow engineers and I had many a good laugh listening to how "hard" classes were for other majors. Really, you had to take an Algebra class? That's terrible! Now, humanities related majors have a tendency to be time consuming as well, often due to research and reading. Engineering is challenging because it requires you to understand and apply principles. That's what your teachers are referring to. Engineering is understanding math and physics and then applying them to a design or the world at large. You need to understand math and physics in a way that lets you apply their underlying principles and laws to new and different problems. If you simply memorize examples and methods and then insert a problem into whichever you think is best then you will struggle with engineering. That is not to say you couldn't still get a degree, but it will be a considerable challenge and you will not likely do as well as other classmates with a firmer grasp on the understanding and application side of things. However, to put your mind at ease about this, not all engineers are brilliant. Not even half. . . not even a quarter. Better yet, because women are a minority in engineering they tend to stick together. The have SWE and often for their own study groups in addition to Theta Tau or Tau Beta Pi which provides a ready support network until you form your own circle at your college.

Answer 3

I loved physics and math in high school.
Marks made me top 1% in my class.
I thought that I had a deep understanding.
The first year is the toughest year. Profs there are trying to separate the dreamers from the doers. The four classes you have to be careful in are Calculus I, Calculus II, Physics I, and Physics II. This is where all engineers are thrown together and told to battle it out. It makes for a great Royal Rumble. After you get through those classes, it does lighten up as the math and science parts drop off and you focus more on your discipline.

Don't worry about being a girl. My freshman class was about 20% girls, but when I graduated, it was closer to 35% girls as the guys found it was tougher than they thought.

Answer 4

Being an engineer is more then just being good at math. (but that helps).

First step is to find out what KIND of engineer you want to be, Excluding the people in computer fields, engineers come in three basic flavors (Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical). None of them require brilliance in high school.

Personally, I majored in Psychology and then became an engineer/surveyor because it was more fun (and paid much better).

If you are interested, talk to an engineer or better still get a summer job as an intern to get a feel for what the work is actually like. THEN decide..

good luck

Answer 5

Don't freak out. Not all Engineering students are brainy. Some pass through hard work, some are naturally brainy, some through sheer bravado and others with luck.
Make friends and go to study groups. I was average in highschool, (my English was better than my Math) but I survived.
Once you're working, you'll realize that it's not just grades. People skills is also very important.

Answer 6

The choice is yours, I was very good in Math when I was in school. I was the kind of guy that didn't have to study to ace any math test, now english that was different story. But anyway, I am now a Laser Engineer, and I do enjoy my job. I will say that Math is only a fraction of the skills you will need to do a good job at Engineering. I would look into your trouble shooting ability, and also depending on the type of Engineering you want to go into, you might want to look into how Mechanical you are too. I hope this will help you. If you decide to go into Engineering, I am sure you will enjoy it.

Answer 7

Well, let me tell u this way if u have interest in engineering then go forward otherwise don't go in Engineering just because u r impressing someone. when i was in high school i was thinking samething as u r right now but some how i got my bachelor in business. I didnt satisfy that time with my business degree so 5 years after i graduated from university i went back to school and now i got my electrical engineering degree. It all depend on YOU what do u want if u want to be an engineer then dont ask anyone just do it.

Answer 8

I liked physics and could tolerate math. But college physics and college math is nothing like high school.

I got really good grades in high school, but have noticed a decline in my college grades.

I don't know what "deep understanding" is, but I'm the type of person who doesn't care at all about proofs: if the equations work, that's all I need to know.

Engineering is a challenge. You cannot expect to party four nights a week, skip classes, and not study while maintaining a great GPA. It is very doable, and one thing to keep in mind is that grades aren't all-important.

Answer 9

oh its not that bad.. the worst of it is calculus 2 .. calc 3 isnt as bad..

im in college for engineering.. havent you realized by now they always try and make things seem harder than they are?

i did horrible in high school and didnt go very much.. basically flunked out.. but now i have a 3.8 gpa (A).. and its not bad... like anything in life.. if you just pay attention and try you will do well..


plus most schools have tutoring centers.. go there right off the bat... i pretty much hang out there and it has been a great move on my part surrounding myself with the smartest people.. i just sit and do my work, but if i need help the explaination is a few feet away.

go for it.

p.s. i hated math and didnt take physics in high school.

Answer 10

no, college degree is what matters