What majors would these scores indicate? (degrees, MBA, medical school, graduates)

[Mattie]

We have always assumed our youngest would go into engineering. He has excelled in math throughout his school years. He just received his scores on the SAT2, and they were highest for chemistry. The math and physics portion scores were 760 each (out of 800), and the chemistry score was 770. Not much of a difference, but maybe he should consider something other than just engineering? He can go to GA Tech tuition free on scholarship, but doesn't want to because of the city location. If he doesn't go to engineering school, what can he do with a degree in chemistry? Should we push him to do chemical engineering?

[540_804]

I wouldn't push him to do anything. See what he wants to do. A higher score on the chemistry SAT2 by a margin of only 10 points is not really decisive enough to base his college career on. It does, however, open a lot of doors for him in terms of college acceptances and scholarships.

With those scores he would be an attractive candidate for many major paths: mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, pre-med (and later medical school). There's a big demand for engineers so any type of engineering path would almost ensure a decent job opportunity in his future. Again, I wouldn't push him towards any in particular. Let him choose; they're all fine academic and/or career paths.

[Mattie]

True, my choice of words were poor. He's not the type that can be easily pushed anyway. I don't have much confidence in his HS guidance counselors. I am not strong in science (or math!), and I am not familiar with what career choices might be a good fit for him. I am just hoping for suggestions on majors.

[uptown_urbanist]

His high school counselors may not be much help, but he will have more opportunities for guidance in college. My advice would be for him to take a wide variety of courses during his freshman year. My college had advisors who could help suggest classes; I assume that this is standard at most colleges. After getting a taste of the wide range of options out there then he will have a better sense of what suits him best. If he really likes one particular class he can then also ask the professor for suggestions, both for majors and for careers. There's no need to choose a major the first year.

[StarlaJane]

Even though he has been offered a very generous scholarship to GATech, I would not push him to accept; it's pointless to go a school where you are going to be unhappy. In fact, it might even be detrimental to his academic career. You want him to be someplace where he is challenged but not overwhelmed and, most importantly, where he feels comfortable
RE: a major, I would have your son focus on what he wants to do after he graduates and use that as a guide when choosing a major. It's all well and good to be academically talented but at some point you have to be able to apply it and, more importantly, enjoy how you are applying it. And the best way to start is by speaking to professionals that majored in engineering (and other related fields) about their day-to-day on-the-job experiences, salaries, etc.

[Pitt Chick]

There is a big shortage of medical physicists/health physicists.
Great paying jobs are available nationwide.

[M3 Mitch]

Ga Tech is a pretty rough school academically for freshmen anyway. He could start out at a junior college, there were several good ones when I was a student. Got to get English 101 out of the way one way or another. I'm not certain the difference in a 760 and a 770 is really significant.

The downtown location of Tech is a negative, it was somewhat to me back in 1980 and the crowding/traffic/crime have got much worse since then.

On the other hand Ga Tech for free is a pretty good deal, not to be dismissed lightly.

Back in the day there were frat houses the students could live in, although maybe you are looking at a full-ride academic scholarship that would include room and board...

You know if he can go to Tech, Scot free, maybe he should not turn that down. He should at least go take a look.

[Thomas_Thumb]

From a former chemistry major who has sniffed a lot of chemicals. I would advise against chemistry. Chemistry is not a stable field. If you go into the field, you have to progress to a doctrine. A BS in Chemical engineering is more lucrative then chemistry.

[Rei]

Do chemical engineering. It's one of the versatile engineering degrees out there. You can go to petroleum, to environmental or even alternative energy development.
Few years of work experience, get an MBA from a top 10 school and do private equity/venture capital, or even go ibanking to make boatloads of money...

[Mattie]

Thank you all!