Engineering and Greek Life

[Faith4Keep]

Originally Posted by ChildoftheHorn

That means during the terms of non-recruitment you take a heavier load then you do during recruitment. You will take the same amount of classes, but keep the really hardcore at a different time. Also, this may be harse, but the term(s) before recruitment you should take the lighter courses that you can.
You need to get your GPA high so that you are seen just the same as any other PNM instead of a potential problem.

Oh wow, I would never recommend that. Maybe I come from a different school or different opinion, but it has ALWAYS been recommended that we spread out or general education classes, so that you take one or two a semester instead of a full year or two of them. In fact, if you only took general eds your first year in engineering at my university, you would graduate a year later that scheduled. It's impossible.

Not to mention that, as much as I hate writing papers for my GED classes, it's a relief to take 4 engineering and 1 GED- one time I took 5 engineering and it nearly killed me. I think that most groups (scholarships, special awards on your campus, and even greeks) DO take into account that you are in a more demanding major when they look at your GPA. At my school, a *stellar* GPA for an engineering student is a 3.5; a good GPA is a 3.3 or above. This is common knowledge here.

Either way, it sounds like you are going to rush as a freshman, so I don't think it will matter....!

[cutie_cat_4ever]

Originally Posted by Faith4Keep

Oh wow, I would never recommend that. Maybe I come from a different school or different opinion, but it has ALWAYS been recommended that we spread out or general education classes, so that you take one or two a semester instead of a full year or two of them. In fact, if you only took general eds your first year in engineering at my university, you would graduate a year later that scheduled. It's impossible.

Not to mention that, as much as I hate writing papers for my GED classes, it's a relief to take 4 engineering and 1 GED- one time I took 5 engineering and it nearly killed me. I think that most groups (scholarships, special awards on your campus, and even greeks) DO take into account that you are in a more demanding major when they look at your GPA. At my school, a *stellar* GPA for an engineering student is a 3.5; a good GPA is a 3.3 or above. This is common knowledge here.

Either way, it sounds like you are going to rush as a freshman, so I don't think it will matter....!

Ditto to that! Unless you're a transfer student like me who's force to take my gen eds the first two years in a community college. I've seen seniors have a really light load because they know how to spread out gen eds so they can end up taking 3 engineering courses and 1 gen ed the 2 sememsters before they graduate.

Also depending what your major is, some majors may require you to take the Fundenmental (sp? too early in the morning) Exam before you graduate, which is a 8 hour long exam that covers all the things you learn during your 4 year college career. It is required if your career requires a Professional Engineering license. And that test itself can take TONS of time to prepare during your senior year.

So do spread our your gen eds, it'll benefit you in the long run. Also depending what you do in summer, the first 2 summers would be the best time to take summer school at your local community college. They offer gen physics/chemistry/ general classes, or excel courses that cramp an entire year of material into one summer. So for a summer, you can get 2 semester courses out of the way. It is intense, but if you have the strength, you can definitely do it. In that way, it also lightens your load quite a lot during your normal school years so you can participate in more Sorority Activities. Also it can allow you to graduate in 4 years instead of 5 years

[adrie435]

I love seeing all the sorority members/ women engineers on here!!! We are all testaments to the fact that it can be done (and done well! ). I was an engineering major in school and chapter President during the two semesters that are typically the most difficult for my field. You will definately have to make sacrifices in terms of social events and relaxation time but you will find it is one of the most rewarding decisions you will ever make. During recruitment, make sure you stress your commitment to both your major (academics and good grades are key for sorority membership) and to being an involved member of a sorority. If it sounds like an active is concerned about your grades or time to be involved with the sorority.. tell her about your time management skills or how you plan to do both.

It's great that you are interested in Greek Life! While there are many women in engineering and sororities, I always run into people who are surprised and impressed that I could do it and I have to say, it helped me immensely during job interviews that I could show I had a personality to go along with brains...

[blondebutsmart]

It has been great to get so much support from everyone. Thanks!

I have to maintain a 3.4 GPA in order to keep my scholarships. I know that's not an extremely high GPA, but I realize it will take a lot of time and work with the kinds of classes I am taking. Like someone mentioned, if you haven't had to work very much in high school, it can be a rude awakening when you get to college. I tend to procrastinate, but know that I will have to change that in order to do well in college.

I'm looking forward to the whole sorority recruitment, but am nervous, just like any other freshman would be. I don't want to be seen as a "nerd" because I am in engineering. I kind of had the opposite experience in high school. I was the blonde cheerleader, so people were surprised when I did well in classes like calculus and physics. It was annoying, but I dealt with it. I just hope the sororities don't stereotype like that and think that just because I'm in engineering I am all about math and science.

[AOII_LB93]

I know as an alum adviser for my chapter that we've had several computer science majors and a couple of engineering majors, and quite a few nursing majors. All were quite good with time management. I bring up nursing, because much like engineering and CS, there is a ton of stuff that needs to be done, and we have a great nursing program at my Alma Mater. I agree with everyone else, as long as you know your priorities you should be fine.

And heck, AOII colonized a chapter at Rose-Hulman...talk about your engineers! There are three chapters on that campus...so apparently those women are probably quite good with time management.

[starang21]

Originally Posted by blondebutsmart

I don't want to be seen as a "nerd" because I am in engineering.

nerd who look good are the best women around.

[khlkcca]

At Purdue I had a ton of sisters who were engineering majors, a few pre-pharmacy, and pre-vet. They were definitely not seen as nerds. It totally depends on the person. Some of the engineering majors attended very few events, but my pledge mom attended almost everything. She also held a Panhel office, was in Order of Omega etc. You need to think about your personal study habits, but both can be done.

[AngieWashU]

Originally Posted by cutie_cat_4ever

Also depending what your major is, some majors may require you to take the Fundamental of Engineering (F.E.) Exam before you graduate, which is a 8 hour long exam that covers all the things you learn during your 4 year college career. It is required if your career requires a Professional Engineering license. And that test itself can take TONS of time to prepare during your senior year.

I didn't take my FE during spring of my senior year (we were encouraged but not required) so I didn't take it until I'd been out of school a year and a half. Even with that distance from school, other than reviewing some math problems, I passed on the first try... and trust me, I was not the best student, so don't get too freaked about it!

[flirt5721]

Originally Posted by AngieWashU

I didn't take my FE during spring of my senior year (we were encouraged but not required) so I didn't take it until I'd been out of school a year and a half. Even with that distance from school, other than reviewing some math problems, I passed on the first try... and trust me, I was not the best student, so don't get too freaked about it!

Most engineers are not required to take the FE. The only ones that are required to take the FE are CEs. I do know that all CEs have to pass the FE if they want to graduate here at NMSU. Although every engineering student is encouraged to try to eventually get a PE.