Syracuse Chemical Engineering Program

I’m currently a high school junior interested in pursuing chemical engineering in college. Can anyone here give me some insights on Syracuse’s chemical engineering program? Are the classes challenging and do professors really prepare you for your future career?

Syracuse University's chemical engineering program is part of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The program is well-regarded, with a curriculum designed to provide you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to excel in your future career.

The classes are known to be challenging, but they're designed to help develop your problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork abilities. Core courses cover subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, materials science, and transport phenomena. In addition to the core curriculum, you'll have the opportunity to choose elective courses tailored to your areas of interest, such as energy or biomedical engineering.

Many students find the professors to be knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, which makes for an engaging learning experience. It's essential to establish a strong relationship with your professors, as their guidance and support will be invaluable throughout your academic career. They'll also be able to help you with networking and potentially finding internships or co-op experiences.

Speaking of internships and co-ops, Syracuse has strong connections with industries that value chemical engineering graduates. These opportunities offer invaluable real-world experience in your field and can significantly impact your job prospects upon graduation.

There are also numerous extracurricular activities available through student organizations like the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Joining these organizations provides you with opportunities to network with professionals, attend conferences, and work on projects related to your field of study.

In summary, while the chemical engineering program at Syracuse is challenging, it's designed to help you succeed and prepare you for a rewarding career. The classes offer a strong foundation in the field, while the extracurricular activities and connections to industry help launch you towards your more specific chemical engineering goals.

If you end up applying and are looking for tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle Syracuse's school-specific supplemental essay(s): https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-syracuse-university-essays

Alternatively, you might consider participating in an engineering-related summer program. Admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and pursuing your passions outside of the classroom, after all! CollegeVine's blog contains a list of potential options, many of which will allow you to focus on chemical engineering in particular: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-engineering-summer-programs

Good luck with your college search and future academic path!