Michaela, London AddedTuesday, September 13, 2016 at 12:21 PM Reading negative comments discourages me from taking chemical engineering Hello, my name is Michaela and I am applying to do Chemical Engineering for the next academic year at university. I have great interests in the course and would really like to pursue it in order to achieve some goals I have for the future. However, I have heard too many times of how difficult the course is and how I would have no life. My science knowledge is a good standard but I am average in maths. Reading such negative comments has put me in a very tough place as to whether or not I should still do Chemical Engineering as a career because I do not want to start a course and have to drop out (I'm already a year behind my peers). Help! :( Related to Chemical, Choosing a Degree, Preparation for College, Self Doubt Reset Sort By Default Elisabeth Drake , MIT Answered Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 12:21 PM Dear Michaela, Many years ago (when girls weren't thought able to be chemical engineers, I enjoyed science classes. I liked chemistry, but didn't want to work in a lab for the rest of my life. Some classmates were applying to MIT - and I thought about going there to study chemical engineering. Like you, I was afraid I might fail if I went there - and that I would have no time for any social life. Also,that I would lose a year or two if I flunked out. However, I got the idea that if I didn't try it, it might be a regret for the rest of my life. So I applied and was admitted (to my surprise). It was hard, but very exciting. I wasn't the best student but I learned a lot and met really smart and interesting classmates. In the Summer, I got a job in a consulting company where I got exposed to many facets of the industry. There were lots of interesting opportunities. Today, I am so happy that I made the decision to try it - rather than to quit before I started! Even if I had flunked out, I would have lost about a year at the most - and would have learned many useful things in the process. The first year of engineering school usually focuses on basic sciences and maths. You usually can switch fields without losing much time as a sophomore. If you are interested in chemical engineering now - please give it a try! Best wishes, Lis Drake 16Sep16