Never believe the "lame stream media".

I graduated from University of Illinois with a BA Business (80). Best advise - stay out of debt! I earned my AA (Business, 76), worked full time until I could afford my BA, and then worked until I realized, again, I needed post graduate. Earned my MBA (FL, 88) and opened my own business. Pay as you go - do not become beholden to either the government or banks!! The next best bit of advise - do not collect ex-wives. They are EXTREMELY expensive!!!

Interview the head of the dept. in which you will major! Are they into super liberal ideas, you can tell quickly. Do thye love their field? When I was deciding, I interviewed a prof. who was head of the English dept, surrounded by great books in his office, he had no enthusiasm and actually said it would be great to have more bodies in the classres! I went to a smaller school, but with full professos, no teaching assts. based on the Greek method of laying out the school. Always challenging and I learned a lot, even double major in Engish and philosophy, minor in biology and history. Johns Hopkins is a good school. Calif. and Chicago, be prepared to be expected to accept liberalism. My Gram wanted me to stay in Calif. with her, and go to a college here, but even at 18, I saw flaws in liberalism. Micxhigan is a good school, so says a former OSU employee. I Depends on whether you are into science, or some other field. I got an associates in computers, then a business school degree in accounting, then I went for the four year degrees, and found each contbributed to the next subject, either in expanding my knowledge, or making research more accessible. Go for what they can actually offer you, not just location. . Many will try to brainwash you. My brother took a required psychology course, and ended up with the prof. pushing Mao's Littel Red Book and said they should embrace it, he was in earonautical field. Our dauther went to a conservative school know for law in Ohio, and she had a liberal who tried to make them write essays expressing his views, not even wanting their take on them. She fought it, and won. Be strong, be true to yourself. Professors can be brilliant, or morons, remember that.

Did you ever run across one Duane Brown when in Lubbock? North Quaker Auto? DB and Betty would be in mid-eighties about now.

You are correct, term...

I have always said that they needed to add a class to my engineering curriculum. That class would be titled "Office Politics". I went to (I think) one of the top engineering schools in America - Cal Poly, SLO. It was a fantastic education. One of the facets that was so nice was that it was on a quarter system. Things went fast, but it allowed us to learn all kinds of things. I had three quarters of ethics from the philosophy school, as one example (including an engineering ethics class). Macro Econ. Engineering Econ. Critical Thinking.

What I wasn't prepared for was the office bullshit that can occur in the workplace. I've always been focused on the solution. You'll find that many people in the workplace aren't like that at all. This causes conflicts. I've also made lifelong, like-minded engineer friends over the years - really good people.

I think there's something to be said for being your own boss eventually. It can be tough. You have to be disciplined. I've worked for people who were jealous of me and/or threatened by me and that can very tough. You need to really know your shit. But, at the same time you need to recognize that you're unusual in that regard and there are times you need to softly reassure people that you're not a threat (not that you can control their boss, though...ha).

Being educated and intelligent in America comes with challenges that will surprise you. On the bright side...it's kind of fun being surprised all the time...

Stay away from journalism majors too...I found...

Its ranked about third or fourth after MIT and CalTech, but it will certainly open doors for you but the rest is up tp you. Good luck in whatever you choose.

I'm surprised there are so many physics majors here. It's great haha... Physics interests me because of how it attempts to rationalize fairly abstract ideas. I don't know much about it, so I'm not exactly sure how accurate that statement is... but- well, I hope it's accurate :)

I like this website because, for the most part, everyone remains respectful despite their different opinions. In college and in general, I would prefer to stay out of any political party or stick around with a specific group of people. Self-admittedly, I'll likely (and inevitably) seek out like-minded individuals, but I hope to encounter different perspectives and genuinely challenge my thinking. I think I could learn something from anyone, good or bad. Rather than expect the worst from everyone, I'd prefer to simply prepare for it. I hope that doesn't come across the wrong way (and I hope it doesn't seem as if I'm a very "malleable" individual haha). Thank you; I mean that sincerely. I will stay true to myself and I certainly won't be swayed easily.

That's incredible. I'm always surprised with how many different avenues and opportunities there are if only you search for them. It makes me look forward to the future! I am definitely waiting and trying different things, seeing if I can find my passion. However, I've always been the type of person who switches between things anyways. One day, I want to settle down on a field of study to explore and contribute to, even if I make miniscule change. That's what I want to do... go to the edge of human knowledge and expand it just that much further. I hope I won't "miss the starting gun," as Roger Waters puts it. Thank you for sharing your story and advice with me. Have fun with that contract!

Stay true to yourself. I went to Wayne State University in Detroit, which at the time I was there, was one of the most Liberal leftist universities in the country. My professors and some of my liberal friends never could persuade me to turn into a leftist. No matter which college you decide to attend, get with other Conservative students...if there are any. You will then have a good support group. Good luck. In today's universities, you are going to need it.

I have to agree with Commander about the passion part.
I am 65 years old, and I have spent most of my adult life trying to instill in "my kids" a passion for anything that trips their trigger. My main focus has been engineering, namely aerospace, and I have mentored university students literally from coast to coast and worldwide. Google Cansat and USLI @ NASA.
That all said, I see a lot of students who have no clue, thru no fault of their own, but of non exposure, what exactly is their trigger. I have some of "my kids" working for Elon Musk who can't stand their work environment. I have other "kids" who work for NASA as astronauts (Woody Holburg) or Lockheed running sim machines for fighter pilots and are "living their dream". And some "kids" who were brilliant and decided to run their own business. One of them is a rancher. Best looking cattle herd I have ever seen (I am also a rancher, as one of my side jobs).
I joined the army at 18 because I was broke, inexperienced, couldn't afford an education, and had never been anywhere. The army rectified that, sent me to Vietnam moping up that mess, and to Laos to deal with Polpot. And then paid for my education. I wanted to be a historian (one of my favorite quotes was from Pres Truman "The only thing new in this world is the history you do not know". But I figured there was no money in that (I was born dirt poor, no dad, raised by my Grandma in a 3 room stucco house with no electricity, no running water, and an outhouse. Kerosene lamps for lighting. So When I was done with wandering, I went to school to be an accountant. Bored stiff. Used my people skills to become a major hospital personnel director. Bored again. Used my accounting and military background to get a job with the ATF as an explosives and weapons federal agent. Got in a shootout with some dirtbags in Lubbork, Texas and shot a couple of em. Mucho paperwork.Decided to start my own business. 5 branch locations in three states, 100 employees, sold out in 2009 and bought a ranch. In between all this, I was on the propellant team that engineered the motor that sent the first non government privately owned rocket into space (72 miles verticle,) have been on at least 20 shows with Myth busters, Sci Fi, Discovery, etc, on rocketry based episodes. (Google Mini Cooper rocket powered fireld goal on YouTube, I am the guy wearing a white cowboy hat).
But today my dream I am living is working my ranch and installing solar power for people who want to be off grid.
I guess, youngun, why I am telling you all this, is wait a tad if you don't already know your "trigger". If you do, realize it may change. So educate yourself with various sklls as a backup.
Starting a new contract for a weapons mfg tomorrow in my shop. Sifting, in my shop, 3 different micron sizes, of Ammonium Perchlorate, 20000 lbs, to be shipped to China Lake to make Hellfire missile motors.
What, me bored :-) ?

First learn a trade, then go to college and major in one of the engineering fields.

Here is a simple rule for saving $. Every time you get a raise half goes into investments ie savings and half you spend on yourself. Do this and you will retire early with a big nest egg of cash.

Stay away from political science majors and graduate as an American....and not a Marxist.

Don't waste your money on college unless your interest is engineering, law, or medicine AND you are committed to advanced degrees and/or law school or med school.

Virtually all other education at an university is not worth the money spent.

Looking for what inspires you as a hobby. Preparing for a job you can tolerate and supports that hobby makes the most financial sense.

I earned degrees in Computer Science 30+ years ago when it still made sense to do so. My first job out of school at IBM recognized the Masters Degree in terms of pay. As time went on, the degree's importance was replaced by experience and the ability to make delivery schedules. Before I retired, I was hiring software engineers with no degrees, just experience and the demonstrated ability to write performant future-proof code in the company of other successful developers. Degrees are now very costly in terms of both time and money. Do you really need a degree? Which of your potential employers require it and will they still require it when you roll off the end of the degree assembly line?

One of my good friends from undergrad days went into physics - specializing in lasers. He is now the Chief Scientist and Exhibits Director for an interactive science lab for young people. He is not doing much with lasers or physics; rather, he is using his people-skills to the utmost in bringing in more grant money and in working with other scientists to create new exhibits. Consider a double-major in physics and some specific engineering discipline, then graduate with the engineering degree.

If you must go to university, find a way to get an apprenticeship that brings in good money. Ideally, you walk out with your degree and no debts -- pay as you go. Work your network to find jobs related to your intended degree(s). Your network includes your immediate family, people that you've known over the years, parents of friends -- do whatever you can to get a foot in the door then further develop your network once In the Door.

Additionally -- always be running your Cost to Benefits calculations. You might get half way into your degree and discover an opportunity that has greater benefit as compared to expected benefits on completion of your degree. Jumping off the education track and getting into a position where you are bringing in money and accruing real-world professional experience could be the optimal long term choice.

I went to Emory. Atlanta sure is fun! I loved Physics, and I am a dentist! Your first year or two will be basics to some degree, so maybe you have some time to decide.

I will shrug too. Why make money to support socialism to that degree. They will take whatever I build up anyway. I will leave things as Ellis Wyatt did

I'll leave you with this: https://vimeo.com/85788972
I didn't know if this had made the net until just now. Larry is a friend from S Mpls. Hanging out at an Irish pub we'd share insights and mischief. I got the original recording in 99...still qued up in my CD player.

When you find yourself in the "I" of a storm, oh you shall at multiple times, I hope you can reflect on this offering, and all the others who really care about life, who've offered their respective perceptions. Find Happiness through the turmoil. Be the flowing river of life that cannot be altered other than by choice.

If Biden/Harris wins, I might shrug completely. I am pretty close to a tipping point.

I definitely need to look into it. I'm not sure why I've been so hesitant about going into engineering in the first place. Also, I'm applying to GeorgiaTech. Any recommendations or thoughts about the school?

At the risk of offending the physicists who have commented, keep in mind that physics is a pure science - its all about discovery and mathematically explaining the discovery. Engineering is an applied science - its all about taking the principles and discoveries in mathematics, chemistry and physics and developing a practical use for man.

Both are needed and both can be challenging and rewarding. Now you have the exciting task of pursuing your studies to develop your interest and passion in a particular career field. Don't fret over it ... let your natural abilities blossom and your passions develop as you keep your eyes wide open and talk to instructors and professionals.

As a Georgia Tech engineer (IE 54), I can tell you that a lot of engineering is based on "applied physics" and math--lots of math Its not easy, but rewarding.