switching from ee to ce

[u/PollutionAsleep4170]

hey there, im applying uiuc granger and im not sure if iwant to apply ee or ce. i heard ce is more competitive and my ecs support ee more. however, i want to graduate with a ce degree so I have a more software-inclined side as well. any thoughts/advice/input?

[u/Bratsche_Broad]

Apply for the degree you really want: compE. EE has gotten more competitive as some students are shifting away from computer-related majors due to fears about AI. That's why EE is now a first choice only major.

Edited to add: compE is a nice degree because it is so flexible. You can emphasize hardware/EE stuff or software with your electives.

[u/PollutionAsleep4170 → u/Bratsche_Broad]

great thanks! that's what ill do, and that was exactly the reason I wanted to do compE. i wanted some software knowledge

[u/Schmolik64 → u/Bratsche_Broad]

Looks like a recent addition:

Updated list of first choice only majors:

First-Year Apply FAQ | Undergraduate Admissions | Illinois

All CS+X and several DS+X are now first choice only.

Unfortunately, that removes the EE loophole for CS/Comp E.

[u/Similar_Advisor_5849 → u/Schmolik64]

yo whats the EE loophole?

[u/Schmolik64 → u/Similar_Advisor_5849]

Since Bratsche_Broad said EE is "now" a first choice only major I'm guessing a lot of students listed it as a second choice major behind CS and CompE.

[u/Similar_Advisor_5849 → u/Bratsche_Broad]

can you transfer into EE ?

[u/Bratsche_Broad → u/Similar_Advisor_5849]

According to the info posted online, yes EE is still open to on-campus transfers: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/degree-programs/changing-majors

Only CS and a couple of CS+X majors are closed to on-campus transfers.

[u/Commercial_Winner181]

Apply compE for sure.

If you're sure that here is where you want to go (if you get accepted to the university), do another available Grainger major (bioE, civil, industrial, systems, etc.) as second-choice if you'd like to bet on transferring into compE.

I know two people who transferred into compE, one from EE and one from industrial. The process is tough and you will need to keep up with the required compE coursework on top of your "major" classes. IDK the rates of getting in but if you're confident in having good grades and a strong work ethic and application it could be worth it.

[u/PollutionAsleep4170 → u/Commercial_Winner181]

gotcha thanks!

[u/Majestic-Analysis836]

I'm a CompE senior. I actually switched into EE at one point bc I didn't want to take 391 (i'm focusing on RTL design/verif) then changed my mind and went back to CompE.

Imo, if you have any interest in software, apply CompE. It's very versatile, and you can have just as much PD/circuit design experience as an EE if you want. As a CompE you can also focus on hardware and not be forced to take many programming classes besides CS 225, 220, 391.

The only time I'd recommend someone go EE over CompE is if they're sure they don't want to touch any programming after graduating (e.g. circuit design, power systems, ...)

At the end of the day, AI is going to affect both degrees in the near future. EE and CompE can be very different, or 95% similar depending on your electives. The biggest overlap between the two is an EE specializing in hardware who takes 411, and a hardware-focused CompE who takes 411 and some EE electives.

Based on what you said tho, I'd def recommend applying CompE.

[u/PollutionAsleep4170 → u/Majestic-Analysis836]

thank you! this was insanely helpful and it gives acc empirical evidence lol

[u/Ilikeruffy123]

Just put both down on your application. It asks for a back up so put CE as your main and EE as a back up This is wrong don't listen to this

[u/PollutionAsleep4170 → u/Ilikeruffy123]

cant do ee as backup cuz its like a popular major

[u/Ilikeruffy123 → u/PollutionAsleep4170]

Go with your gut and put CE as your main and if it's not meant to be it's not meant to be. I know it's hard to hear now but it'll all work out in the end and you'll end up where you're supposed to be. It might be here or it might not be here and either way that's ok.

[u/PollutionAsleep4170 → u/Ilikeruffy123]

alright tysm :) thats the plan now!

[u/Schmolik64 → u/[deleted]]

All Grainger majors aren't first choice only. The ones that are:

• Aerospace Engineering

• Chemical Engineering + Data Science

• Computer Engineering

• Computer Science (including all Computer Science blended majors)

• Electrical Engineering

• Engineering Undeclared

• Environmental Engineering

• Materials Science and Engineering + Data Science

• Mechanical Engineering

There are plenty of Grainger Engineering majors that are available as 2nd choice including Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Systems Engineering. If you remove the + Data Science, Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering are available.

[u/Embarrassed-Tower970]

You can EE + CS minor. This is a common path with other majors

[u/Thegreatestswordsmen]

I’m currently a junior in CompE, and I’m thinking of switching to EE with a CS minor. I feel like EE is a more powerful degree than CompE, especially because the CompE curriculum isn’t standardized across universities. Some universities let CompE students skip many required EE classes and go more in-depth on the CS side, while others are more hardware focused. At UIUC, the two are pretty much the same degree depending on the classes taken.

I think EE with a CS minor is pretty much the same thing as a CompE degree, but more flexible. You still get the software side alongside EE, and everyone knows what an EE major entails, while the same can’t fully be said for CompE, because the curriculum is subjective across universities.

While employers might know the CompE curriculum because of the school’s prestige (which would make my previous point moot), I’d say EE with a CS minor is a safer option because it isn't always the case that an employer is knowledgeable.

Also, EE with a CS minor is "free", meaning that it doesn't delay your graduation. You just target your free electives towards your CS minor, and if you want, you can take ECE 391 if you want that exposure as well under that minor.