4 answers
Marlena
Student
Chalfont, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
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How hard is it to graduate in 4 years as an Electrical Engineering Major?
I'm currently deciding between Pitt and Penn State and want to know which one is more likely to allow me to graduate in 4 years or how hard it is going to be.
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4 answers
Bryan Mayberry
Mechanical Design Engineer
14
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
Hey Marlena,
I went to Penn State but I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, so I have not done this exact tract but I can talk about my experience and then also talk to the recommended class schedule.
I don't know how well links work in this forum, but if you copy/paste the URL below, it will show you the suggested course schedule for an EE degree at PSU main campus. The only 5 year degree in the engineering school is Architecture, the rest are suggested to be done in 4. It looks like the EE degree is between 15-17 credits each semester which is the exact same as the ME track. For me, I took at least 1-2 summer classes each semester, this way you can do the general education units during summer and get them out of the way. It will give you more time during Fall/Spring to focus on the harder engineering classes.
https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/electrical-engineering-bs/suggestedacademicplantext
Some tips for just staying on top of your work:
- Study everyday, every class. Even if its only 15 minutes, study daily. Engineering you cannot cram, you have to stay consistent.
- Use professor office hours or extra class times if you need them. They are always way more helpful and direct during smaller group or one on one situations.
- Check ratemyprofessor.com before enrolling in classes to really check out who to take. I know for PSU that website is big and has a ton of reviews of all the engineering professors. Some are outright terrible, some are incredible, worth checking first before getting stuck with one.
Lastly, good luck! Take your first year of classes and take time to research other engineering disciplines. The first year of classes are pretty much all the same for all of engineering so if you want to switch, you have time to do that.
I went to Penn State but I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, so I have not done this exact tract but I can talk about my experience and then also talk to the recommended class schedule.
I don't know how well links work in this forum, but if you copy/paste the URL below, it will show you the suggested course schedule for an EE degree at PSU main campus. The only 5 year degree in the engineering school is Architecture, the rest are suggested to be done in 4. It looks like the EE degree is between 15-17 credits each semester which is the exact same as the ME track. For me, I took at least 1-2 summer classes each semester, this way you can do the general education units during summer and get them out of the way. It will give you more time during Fall/Spring to focus on the harder engineering classes.
https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/electrical-engineering-bs/suggestedacademicplantext
Some tips for just staying on top of your work:
- Study everyday, every class. Even if its only 15 minutes, study daily. Engineering you cannot cram, you have to stay consistent.
- Use professor office hours or extra class times if you need them. They are always way more helpful and direct during smaller group or one on one situations.
- Check ratemyprofessor.com before enrolling in classes to really check out who to take. I know for PSU that website is big and has a ton of reviews of all the engineering professors. Some are outright terrible, some are incredible, worth checking first before getting stuck with one.
Lastly, good luck! Take your first year of classes and take time to research other engineering disciplines. The first year of classes are pretty much all the same for all of engineering so if you want to switch, you have time to do that.
Steven Flickinger
Manager Talent Management
2
Answers
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Hello! While I didn't attend these schools myself, I believe both programs will help you graduate on time and offer a good challenge. My two sons and I graduated from RIT with EE degrees. The EE programs are tough, but those who graduate on time usually have a strong work ethic and keep up with their coursework. If you have questions or don't understand something, don't hesitate to ask your professor for help. It's also a great idea to find a study group to share different perspectives and ideas. While in college, work closely with your advisor to ensure you're taking all the necessary classes to stay on track for graduation. You can do this!
Luke Haynes
Electrical Engineer
4
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Luke’s Answer
Hi Marlena,
I graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Alabama. I actually got dual degrees (I also got a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, long story), which meant I had to take more classes overall, and I still completed all this in 8 semesters. As others have said, taking aggressive course loads means staying focused on school, managing your time well, and taking advantage of all the resources your school offers. But there are a few other tricks that can help you start school with a leg up.
One such trick is to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school that can count for college credit or (the route I took) taking CLEP (College Level Exemption Program) tests in order to gain credits without having to sit through entire classes. I wouldn't recommend CLEP tests for subjects that will be key to your major (such as math, physics, etc.) because they don't give you as in depth an understanding as the full class will, but they can be a great resource for knocking out some general education requirements. You can take them over the summers or even while you're still in high school, and with a month or two of studying, gain college level credit. This is what I did for courses such as History, and Economics, and that let me focus on the classes relating to my major(s) while I was in school.
Another thing that I will say, is that while completing your engineering degree in 8 semesters is a great (and achievable) goal, I'd encourage you not to be too locked into the idea that all of those semesters must be consecutive. Especially in the engineering fields, it is very important to do what you can to graduate with some project/work experience. There are lots of people who get this experience by doing summer internships or working on projects with on campus teams/organizations, but another common route is by doing co-op programs that often require you to take a semester off school to work full time. This will technically delay graduation, but the insight and experience you gain from such employment opportunities will be invaluable!
What ever you decide, stay focused, stay energized, and remember to enjoy what the learning process. Education works best when you're truly internalizing the information, not looking for shortcuts to get through it quickly. Best of luck out there!
I graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Alabama. I actually got dual degrees (I also got a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, long story), which meant I had to take more classes overall, and I still completed all this in 8 semesters. As others have said, taking aggressive course loads means staying focused on school, managing your time well, and taking advantage of all the resources your school offers. But there are a few other tricks that can help you start school with a leg up.
One such trick is to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school that can count for college credit or (the route I took) taking CLEP (College Level Exemption Program) tests in order to gain credits without having to sit through entire classes. I wouldn't recommend CLEP tests for subjects that will be key to your major (such as math, physics, etc.) because they don't give you as in depth an understanding as the full class will, but they can be a great resource for knocking out some general education requirements. You can take them over the summers or even while you're still in high school, and with a month or two of studying, gain college level credit. This is what I did for courses such as History, and Economics, and that let me focus on the classes relating to my major(s) while I was in school.
Another thing that I will say, is that while completing your engineering degree in 8 semesters is a great (and achievable) goal, I'd encourage you not to be too locked into the idea that all of those semesters must be consecutive. Especially in the engineering fields, it is very important to do what you can to graduate with some project/work experience. There are lots of people who get this experience by doing summer internships or working on projects with on campus teams/organizations, but another common route is by doing co-op programs that often require you to take a semester off school to work full time. This will technically delay graduation, but the insight and experience you gain from such employment opportunities will be invaluable!
What ever you decide, stay focused, stay energized, and remember to enjoy what the learning process. Education works best when you're truly internalizing the information, not looking for shortcuts to get through it quickly. Best of luck out there!
Sneha Deb
Tech Consultant
194
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hey Marlena! Graduating in 4 years as an Electrical Engineering major is definitely doable, but it takes solid time management, consistent effort, and good academic planning. It's one of the more demanding majors out there. Both Pitt and Penn State have strong engineering programs, but Penn State tends to be larger and may have more challenges with class availability, while Pitt might offer a more personalized experience. Whichever you choose, meeting regularly with your academic advisor, staying on top of prerequisites, and possibly taking summer classes if needed can help keep you on track. The key is to stay organized and proactive. It’s tough, but many students do it successfully! Good luck!