Ok so,I've been contemplating going to school for mechanical engineering,however I have a few obstacles in my way.

First I never took my ACT or SAT because at the time I was more Interested in other things besides more schooling and I was looking into Culinary Arts at the time and it wasn't a requirement to have an ACT or SAT.However I am currently studying for the ACT and don't see it as much of an obstacle to get a decent score.

Second after talking to a few engineering students, it seems that most schools won't even consider you unless you have strong math and science skills,while I love science and even took some extra sciences courses in highschool,math never went beyond geometry and algebra.

I'm very mechanically oriented, have worked on engines(mostly carbeurated) since I was 11, worked as facilities personnel at warehouses working with conveyor systems ,forklifts,and other idustrial power equipment.I graduated with a 3.4 gpa,while not great and I do feel I could've done better had I been more focused.

So really what should I be looking to do to get into this field?

 

If you can't get in up front, go to a smaller local school and get your prerequisite courses out of the way. In doing so, boost your GPA and show them that you have what it takes.

Also, it's cheaper that way and you could potentially set yourself up to get a scholarship or two to help out with costs.

Two of my bro-in-laws did this and both got full-ride scholarships (they're Hispanic, which helped).

 

Well first of I am a soph. in ME at Clemson University. When I graduated from highschool I had a 3.8 and took our highest level calculus and physics classes. I don't know how much that helped on me getting accepted. As far as the ACT goes, it shouldnt be to much of a problem. My first time taking it I made a 24 then the second time I made a 29.

As far as being mechanically oriented, that really doesnt play a big part getting into a college. Most of the stuff you will be learning in classes the first year or two will all be theory and just working out problems. I had to make a few projects but nothing to crazy. They'll teach you how to use a screw driver. Its almost a joke sometimes, I know. A lot of my friends that are in ME have never changed the oil in their car before.

If you really want to persue a career in ME I would go for it. The work is pretty difficult and you really have to keep up with all your work. So far this year I have had around 4 hours of hw to do each night. All of my classes are calc or physics based, so if thats what you are good in I would go for it.

If you have any other questions just let me know.

 

what u described is what a mechanical technician does. mech engineer is completely different and requires a lot of math/calc/physics.

engineering is not easy dude, GL.

 

^^ Thats exactly what I was thinking. If you want to "work" on cars or whatever thats more a technician. You should look into something like UTI or Wyotech I guess. Engineers design the stuff that the technicians work on.

 

Assuming you want more than a wrenching job, don't take students' word for how difficult it is to get in. It sounds to me like you have enough High School education. Contact some schools and apply directly.

 

Well, when you talk about difficulty to get in, it is different for all schools. There were people I graduated from HS with that had a higher class ranking than I did and did not get into my college. I was also not as involved in as many clubs as they were either. So it really just depends on the college I suppose.

 

Alright, you need to find a program like Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology or Engineering and Technology Management.

I have a BS in Industrial Technology, and I am employed as a Design Engineer. Think Engineering with less math and more hands-on stuff. They throw in some management and communications that Engineering students don't get. Start looking into some specific schools you like, and then check out they're curricula for different programs.

Good luck, and don't give up.

 

If you don't like physics and math.. a lot.. then Mechanical Engineering is definitely NOT for you.

 

Impulse147,

As others have suggested, you should:
1. Apply to the schools you like and see if you get in.
2. Go to a community college if you don't get in at first. I have engineers working for me that went that route and they are the most grounded, hardest working of the bunch. I don't take it as a negative if I see two years of community college and two years of a four year on a resume.

Instead of telling you if you want to be an ME (I have a BS in ME), let me tell you what they do. MEs are engineers and that means they have to figure out how to do things they do not have a clear procedures for, like develop new technologies. If you know how to do what you are supposed to do before you start, you are a tech. It doesn't matter what it says on your business card.

MEs have many different niches these days.
- I manage a group that does applied control theory (lots of programming). There are less and less purely mechanical systems, so programming is always an increasing demand of MEs. Sensors and processors are always replacing mechanical mechanisms.
- Since MEs have to be interdisciplinary these days, they also end up doing systems engineering. This is being a high end jack of all trades (this means you need to understand a lot about several fields). It is surprisingly hard to find a good systems engineer, and they are in demand by all project managers in over their head.
- There are design and structural analysis MEs. They design and analyze mechanisms and structures

I think of two major types of engineers (including MEs): design engineers and everybody else. Design engineers spend a lot of time in a cubical coming up with a design and doing lots of calculations on the design. Design engineers are what I always thought of before I became an engineer. Everybody else has a role (testing, sustaining engineering, system integration, analysis, etc.), but most spend time related to the design, but not coming up with the design. I am one of those people. It took me a while to figure out I didn't want to be a design engineer because I like applications in the real world more than coming up with a design. I think there is a fundamental difference in temperament between design and other engineers.

You experience with mechanical stuff is great and will serve you well as an ME or any other kind of engineer. People that understand the real world are always in demand.

You don't have to like math or physics to be an ME. You have to be proficient at them at a high level. Liking and being proficient are different things.

I also can't recommend highly enough looking at other engineering majors. The comment about looking at Industrial Technology, etc. is a good one and you might find a great fit there. Everybody knows about ME, but it is not always the right fit. No matter what, you will be better informed about what you are going to do by looking into the different programs.