The main reason I was there was for this Kaplan SAT course. I did not do as well as I would have liked on the practice tests. Because the actual SAT was months away, I did not put as much focus into the program as I should have. Anyways, following the Summer Study, I knew that I had a ton of prepping to do before the “real” SAT. I do not do extraordinary on standardized tests. As a matter of fact, I very much dislike the ACT and SAT. You cannot fairly test one’s academic ability (or one’s chances of success in college) on this four-hour test. After months of prepping, I ended up taking the SAT. I took this test three times. To sum it up, I was not too excited for colleges to see my standardize test scores.

My high school grades are above average. My school does not rank, but I have an A average. Throughout high school, I did not take many advanced courses. I took a total of four advanced courses (one my sophomore year and three my senior year).

I would not be able to do what I am passionate about (tennis and entrepreneurship) if I were to take more advanced (or as admission directors like to call it, “challenging”) courses in high school. I had to make choices, and I was fully aware that these choices had consequences. If I could go back in time, I would not do anything differently.

I had a unique high school profile (average testing scores, good grades, and phenomenal extra-curriculars). That being said, I was not sure how college admission counselors would respond. So, I applied to MANY schools. I applied early decision to Stanford. I hosted a conference there in November, and a professor wrote a letter of recommendation for me…but that didn’t get me in. After Stanford, I had three top college choices – Duke, University of Texas, and University of Illinois. I did not get into Duke, but I was offered admission to the University of Texas and to the University of Illinois. For months, I was split 50/50 between the two schools. Within the next few days, I will make and announce my final decision.

This guest post was written by Forrest Iandola.  When I visited the University of Illinois, I met Forrest through the iFoundry program.  He is currently a sophomore studying computer science, and he is involved in several entrepreneurial organizations on campus (Illini Entrepreneurship Network, iFoundry, and the Technology Entrepreneur Center).

Now that I am a couple years into my computer science degree at the University of Illinois, I have received a few requests from graduating high school seniors for advice about college. To almost every graduating senior I find myself saying, “There are lots of options, but I think you will benefit a great deal from attending engineering school.” Students tend to follow up by asking what they will get of engineering school, what they can do after engineering school, and whether they’re smart enough for engineering school.

What will I get out of engineering school?

First-year engineering students must complete rigorous sequences of physics, chemistry and mathematics courses. By senior year, most engineers will have taken fifteen or more courses in a specific field of engineering, such as mechanical engineering, computer science, engineering physics, or electrical engineering. While engineering students graduate with a broad and deep knowledge of engineering, these students also develop strong organizational skills, strong social skills, and high levels of resilience.

Organizational skills

In order to earn strong grades in engineering courses, students must have strong organizational skills. Engineering professors expect students to be self-motivated and to complete complicated projects before strict deadlines. Successful students keep track of deadlines and collaborate with professors, teaching assistants, and classmates long before projects are due.

Social skills

In engineering, successful collaboration with professors, teaching assistants, and classmates requires strong social skills. In my first semester of engineering school, I would sometimes try to barter with my classmates, “I’ll help you with physics if you help me with math.” I’ve sometimes seen students groveling for help, “well, you’re so smart, and you could probably do this physics in two seconds…” Neither of these tactics are very successful in gaining the attention of a fellow engineer.

Here’s what works: “Hey, I have the strangest problem—when I calculate the angular velocity, everything looks good, but when I look at the angular momentum…” Bingo, I’ve immersed a fellow engineer in a problem, and he or she is likely to spend a few minutes to help me solve the problem.

Resilience

Even the most organized, most socially adept students do not always earn perfect scores. In computer science courses, having an “almost correct” solution to a project often results in zero percent credit. Despite starting projects early and getting help from the professor, you could still fail a project! Even successful engineers with great GPAs still fail a project or two, so resilience is key to preventing short-term mistakes from causing long-term failure.

What can I do after engineering school?

Engineers are versatile. With strong organizational and social skills and high levels of resilience, engineers are demanded by almost everyone. Even before graduating, engineering students often pursue technical consulting, academic research, and financial engineering. Some engineers even start successful companies prior to graduation!

Successful engineers often become organized, socially adept, resilient entrepreneurs. Many of Silicon Valley’s finest entrepreneurs come from engineering backgrounds.

Am I smart enough for engineering school?

Students sometimes claim that they are, “not smart enough for engineering.” While a natural affinity for mathematics and science might make engineering school a bit easier at first, success in engineering school is about organization, social skills, and resilience.

A prodigy without these skills is like a car with a huge, powerful engine connected to a transmission that’s stuck in first gear. Such a prodigy might be impressive in math tournaments, but, in engineering school, no amount of intelligence can fully compensate for a lack of organizational and social skills. In contrast, a relatively average high school student who develops these skills can be incredibly successful in engineering school.

If you are in high school, what do you plan on studying in college?  Why?  If you have already graduated college, what did you study? If you could go back in time, would you go down a different path?  I am curious to hear everyones thoughts on this topic.