4 answers
Josh
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
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What advanced level classes are best to take just before college as an aeronautical engineering major?
I've already taken classes like AP Physics and Calculus but what other classes are important and what do schools look at the most?
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4 answers
Lane Taylor
Chief Engineer - Aerospace
7
Answers
Brooksville, Florida
Updated
Lane’s Answer
You've covered the important classes that are typically available at the high school level.
Do not underestimate the value of a good writing course, especially a technical writing class if it's available. Almost all engineering involves writing reports, regardless of your specialty, and it is an important skill.
Do not underestimate the value of a good writing course, especially a technical writing class if it's available. Almost all engineering involves writing reports, regardless of your specialty, and it is an important skill.
Diane Spohn
2
Answers
Updated
Diane’s Answer
Hi Josh,
Once you narrow down the Colleges you are interested in you can research the program to see which classes are required to gain entrance into their Engineering program. When you are on the college site search the major you are interested in and it will list out classes needed to be accepted.
Once you narrow down the Colleges you are interested in you can research the program to see which classes are required to gain entrance into their Engineering program. When you are on the college site search the major you are interested in and it will list out classes needed to be accepted.
Kris Cousino
Construction management
58
Answers
Toledo, Ohio
Updated
Kris’s Answer
Its great that you have had the opportunity to pursue higher physics and math. Not all high schools offer those classes. The key to getting into the colleges of choice are a high ACT or SAT score. There are preparatory classes you can take to teach you how to perform well on these exams. A high score on either of these exams could result in significant scholarship dollars. Also, if the college requires an essay as part of the application process, make sure to spend quality time writing that essay, and make sure someone looks it over for you and helps you edit it.
Dennis Taylor
Self-employed
88
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hi Josh. It is good that you are thinking about these things. I agree with Lane's reply. Being able to communicate your ideas is just as important as the analysis or idea that you come up with. Writing and Speaking are both necessary skills to communicate with your peers and supervisors.
Another not-so-obvious skill: mechanical drawing - being able to create or interpret a drawing. In your engineering courses, you are exposed to schematic drawings that represent the physical system you are trying to describe and analyze. But, in practice, you have to be able to break a complicated system or assembly into simpler parts that can be analyzed using the engineering tools at your disposal.
Gaining some computer skills is also advantageous. I don't mean being able to play a game or send a text, rather to understand how the computer operates so that you can play the game or send the text. Most engineering involves creating a mathematical model of some physical aspect. So, if you succeed in solving that problem, and it works for a broad set of conditions, you will want to create a computer program that makes it easy to repeat the analysis for some of those different conditions.
Finally,take a course that is FUN. What interests you beyond engineering? How will you spend some of your free time in the future? Develop a skill - in the visual arts or music or acting; play a sport that you enjoy. Most likely, you are not a one-trick pony.
Good luck, Josh!
Another not-so-obvious skill: mechanical drawing - being able to create or interpret a drawing. In your engineering courses, you are exposed to schematic drawings that represent the physical system you are trying to describe and analyze. But, in practice, you have to be able to break a complicated system or assembly into simpler parts that can be analyzed using the engineering tools at your disposal.
Gaining some computer skills is also advantageous. I don't mean being able to play a game or send a text, rather to understand how the computer operates so that you can play the game or send the text. Most engineering involves creating a mathematical model of some physical aspect. So, if you succeed in solving that problem, and it works for a broad set of conditions, you will want to create a computer program that makes it easy to repeat the analysis for some of those different conditions.
Finally,take a course that is FUN. What interests you beyond engineering? How will you spend some of your free time in the future? Develop a skill - in the visual arts or music or acting; play a sport that you enjoy. Most likely, you are not a one-trick pony.
Good luck, Josh!