Should I Transfer for Nuclear Engineering?

[WatermelonPig]

I've been studying mechanical engineering this past year. It's been going good. Except now I realize I should have gone for a nuclear engineering degree at another university. On my current schedule, I could graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering 3 years with some nuclear classes thrown in. (3 years due to community college and AP credit in high school) Transferring would mean 4 years for graduation and also tons of money lost. On the other hand, the classwork would be a bit better. In addition, I have yet to have a laboratory or internship experience and I don't know how I'm going to get one of these anytime soon considering I've never held any (paying) job anytime in my life. So 4 years would give me more time to gain experience. I'm also interested in studying nuclear engineering in grad school and I know that you can't just say you have a 4.0 you need at least a year or so experience on a legit research team. Any ideas?

 

[edgepflow]

I would finish your BS in mechanical engineering and then get a masters in nuclear engineering if you are still interested at that time. You will be much more versatile (and marketable) with both degrees.

 

[lisab]

I would finish your BS in mechanical engineering and then get a masters in nuclear engineering if you are still interested at that time. You will be much more versatile (and marketable) with both degrees.

I think that's really good advice. The nuclear field looks a bit dicey right now - well, there are PFers who work in the field who would know first-hand, I'll let them chime in.

ME is very marketable, though.

 

[WatermelonPig]

I mean can get into a MS thesis program just based on grades and maybe one good internship? If my MS thesis is good enough will that be enough to eventually apply later to a PhD program?

 

[anonymity]

ME is very marketable, though.

Additionally, the converse is true for NE. If you have a degree in nuclear engineering, you will be in the general sense confined to that field. Whereas an ME degree will allow you to do a multitude of things (for instance, get a masters in nuclear engineering).

ME is more versatile and more marketable. I actually was in a similar situation as watermelon, and decided to stay at my current school and stick with ME (and pick up math, because who doesn't love math?) for the above-mentioned reasons.

I'm not sure that I fully understand your last post, but if your question is would you be able to get into a nuclear engineering MS program with an ME degree, the answer is yes absolutely.