Great Books BA/Philosophy MA switch to Aero/Astro Eng, Tips or Strats?

[Loquacator]

Hey all,

 

I'd like to know if anyone has any insight into how to transition into graduate Aero/Astrp Engineering from a humanities background. I got my BA from a Great Books School (Thomas Aquinas College), then took off a year before going into grad school for Philosophy. I went to grad school somewhat because I didn't know what else to do, and I quickly began to realize I was not interested in being in Philosophy academia. After three semesters, I decided to call it off, but by then I was so close to completing the MA, it seemed wise to at least wrap that up, lest I look like a total flake on future applications. As of now, I've completed all the coursework and am due to finish the Thesis and exams this semester. I've already started taking community college classes toward math/engineering, and am loving it. My goal would be to specialize in propulsion and work in the commercial spaceflight industry.

 

My question is this: What do I need to do, and in what order, to get into grad school? Clearly, the main hurdle is that I lack pretty much all the higher level math and science required for a grad program. Can I apply straight to grad programs, and fill out my math/science there? Or do I need to do it before applying? If the latter, do I need to get a second bachelor's, or is it better to do it all at a community college? Will my Philosophy MA help or hurt my chances? These are my qualifications as they stand now:

 

Undergraduate GPA--3.5

Undergraduate Lab Assistant--4 semesters

GRE--800V/720M/4W

Graduate GPA~3.33

Community College GPA--4.0

 

Thanks; any advice would be a huge relief.

[ChemPhysMatSci]

I'd consult with a faculty member in the engineering or physics department at Thomas Aquinas, or elsewhere if you can think of somewhere else you might have connections. From my ill suited position to advise, I would think that getting a BS in Mechanical Engineering or a BS in Aerospace Engineering would be the best first step. You need more classes than you can suitably get from community college, and the higher level math classes (cal iii and differential equations) are generally not the best at community colleges.

 

I'd bite the bullet, spend the 2 to 2.5 years getting a physics or engineering BS, and then go for a masters or PhD. What chemistry, physics, and math classes are you working with at the moment?

Edited January 31, 2013 by ChemPhysMatSci

[Loquacator]

Alas, Thomas Aquinas College has no engineering or physics department, or any other department for that matter. It's a purely liberal arts school, and the curriculum is perfectly rigid; everyone has the same schedule all four years. I do know one or two teachers there who have mathematics backgrounds, but none of them is really going to have a lot to say to me about grad school. Right now I'm working with credit for Calc I from a 7-year old AP test, plus current enrollment in Calc II. Besides that, I have what would best be described as a background in history/philosophy of science. Interesting topics, no doubt, but they're hardly going to get me transfer credit. I'm basically starting straight out of high school.

[foreverfree]

It's definitely going to be a stretch to completely change your course--as ChemPhys said, your best bet is to probably just getting a B.S.

 

If you're willing to consider a more hybrid approach and you're interested in it, you might be able to apply to history/philosophy of science programs such as http://www.princeton.edu/hos/

 

[ChemPhysMatSci]

I have had great books / liberal arts experience. You clearly are a person who can think critically -- you could get the BS in 2 to 3 years, and if you enjoy it, continue on, and if not, you could work as a BS engineer and have a fine life.

[TeaGirl]

I agree. I would do a post-bacc to get a second BS degree in engineering. I imagine you've already completed all the humanities and other related requirements for your first degree, so you should be able to get your BS degree in about 2 years as you'd only need to take the required number of math/science/engineering classes.

[Loquacator]

Yeah, that was my original plan, but as I look into it, I find that many of the top-tier schools either don't grant second bachelors, or are very stingy about accepting students for them. MIT flat out doesn't take them, Harvey Mudd will, but won't provide any financial aid, Stanford seems to have very narrow requirements and a good deal of bureaucracy to navigate, and Berkeley takes them, but not very many, and only to the College of Engineering. Any other schools anyone knows of with relevant programs?

[TeaGirl]

I would look into different rankings for engineering programs, and specifically aerospace engineering since that's your goal, and just go through the list one by one. I don't know about financial aid, but there's a lot of really good engineering schools out there. A top 20 or 30 school with a great GPA and getting involved in some undergraduate research with a couple of professors should be good enough for getting into one of the top programs for your graduate degree.

 

You may find this link for California useful: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/transfer/helping-students/second-baccalaureate/index.html

UC-Irvine is pretty good in AE and takes on second bachelors. Maryland accepts post-baccs as well. I'm sure you'll find others if you dig around.

HTH.

[DocLex]

Accidentally "down-voted" Tea Girl's comment above. Don't know how to undo!! Sorry about that.

[MrBigStuff]

You should check out Boston University's LEAP program (http://www.bu.edu/eng/academics/special-programs/leap/).  The only requirements are that you have a Bachelor's degree in any field and have taken one semester of college level calculus with a grade of a B or better.  If you don't have that, you can take it at any local college over the summer and they will accept it.  They have a phase 1 where you take math and science courses to catch you up, and then as long as you maintain a 3.2 GPA in phase 1, you are guaranteed admission to BU's M.Eng. program in whichever field of engineering you choose.  You also have the option to apply to an M.S. or Ph.D. program at BU, or to apply elsewhere.  The profiles of students they provide on their site show people with bachelor's degrees in physics and chemistry, but also psychology, literature, and education among other things.  Good luck!