Applying to college? Thinking about majoring in engineering? Read from the first-hand experience of how an engineering student chose their path.
Why did you decide that this path was right for you?
I realized really early on in my life that I enjoyed math and science-based classes, and I liked using my knowledge from those classes to find solutions to problems. The social impact aspect always resonated with me– the idea that a product I develop could have a tangible benefit to a community–and I knew that I wanted to pursue a STEM-related career. It took a lot of research and experimentation (and a lot of classes I did not enjoy) to settle on computer science and robotics as my main interests within STEM.
How did applying as an engineering student impact how you built your college list?
When I applied to colleges, I focused solely on colleges that had strong STEM programs. Not only did this mean looking at programs and professors, I also prioritized the size of the program and whether the institution gave these programs enough resources that they could extend to undergraduate education. I knew going into college that I wanted to pursue undergraduate research, so I spent quite some time looking at the research labs at institutions and whether that aligned with my interests and goals. I ruled out a lot of Liberal Arts Colleges and schools with weak CS/engineering programs in this process.
What three things should students keep in mind when applying to college as an engineering student?
Try to be ahead of deadlines. Some schools will ask for maker’s portfolios, essentially having you document any STEM-related projects you completed in high school and discuss the process and obstacles you face. These take some time to develop and, in some cases, film. I recommend trying to be a week or two ahead of due dates to accommodate portfolios in case a university asks for one.
Balance writing about technical experience and personal identity in your essays. Essays are the best way to show schools who you are and what experience you have. This means telling your personal story, but it also means showcasing all the amazing work you’ve done in and out of school! Finding a way to balance the two foundations of engineering applications will ensure you put your best step forward in this process.
Do your research. If you ever have to tackle a “Why do you want to attend ___ University?” essay question, make sure you do your research about the school’s programs and what exactly appeals to you. No one is holding you to the future plans you write in your essays, but being able to convey what specifically draws you to a school will show you’ve taken your time to make sure you are a good fit for this school. This might mean finding a class you want to take, or a professor or lab you want to do research in, or an organization you want to join on campus. Whatever this looks like for you, make sure you do the research!
What do you wish you would have known before you applied to college as an engineering student?
Notably, I wish I really would have taken to heart that rejections do not define you. I got rejected from a fair amount of schools, for reasons that were likely completely out of my control, but I internalized them and thought they were a reflection on my self-worth. This is absolutely not true: you’re going to thrive wherever you choose to go! College is what you make of it, and while this process may be difficult, you will end up in a great place.
What is one thing students should know about thriving in college as an engineering student?
Maintain excellent organization and time management: these are key to being a successful engineering student. Knowing how to manage your time well and keep your academic and extracurricular materials in order is absolutely paramount. Not only are they lifelong skills you will use in any professional setting, they will ensure that you stay on top of your work.
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MEET THE AUTHOR
Raisa Karnik
Raisa is a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University. She is also an Advising Fellow at Matriculate, where she currently helps three high school students navigate the college application process.
Raisa is a member of the Society of Women in Engineering and she is a writer and editor for an undergraduate scientific journal. She is also an undergraduate research assistant in a humanitarian robotics and artificial intelligence laboratory at A&M, where she works on efforts to use computer vision for disaster response.