Preparing for School
Engineering school isn’t for everyone, but you can prepare yourself for rigorous classes while you’re still in high school. In college, you’ll take courses filled with science and math. Take the most challenging science and math classes your school offers, like AP-level ones. Consider taking chemistry, statistics, computer science, or calculus. Even if your school doesn’t have AP courses, you can still challenge yourself. You’ll impress the college admissions team by taking the initiative to do hard classes that aren't necessarily required. Classes aren't the only areas you can impress the admissions team, however. Think about joining a STEM-related club. Since engineering school requires a lot of studying, you might not have time to get a job to help pay for college expenses like tuition. Don’t panic. Consider taking out private student loans to cover tuition so you can save your other funds for living expenses.Coursework You’ll Take
The classes that you’ll take will depend on your area of focus and the school. But you can expect to learn the fundamentals of engineering, as well as math and science. So, you can expect to take classes in areas like:- Linear algebra and statistics
- Calculus
- Physics
- Chemistry and biology
- Geology
- Engineering sustainability and economics
- Introduction to materials science
Taking introductory courses is helpful to get an understanding of the field and choose an area to focus on. You might choose electrical, civil, or mechanical engineering. At some schools, you might need to learn about the interaction between technology and engineering. Expect to do some lab courses, and if you want to gain practical experience internationally, you can choose to study abroad. As an upperclassman, you can work on capstones or individual projects to show your problem-solving skills as the culmination of your degree.
