Psychometric analysis of the typical student profile.
Based on SAT/GRE correlation data.
Chemical Engineering is a filtering environment. It rewards certain strengths (and exposes certain weaknesses). Use this as a self-selection tool.
Dominant archetype: The Process Optimizer. This archetype tends to be rewarded in the culture and study style of Chemical Engineering.
Common traits include Chemistry and Systems Thinking.
If you love systems, abstraction, and building mental models, Chemical Engineering can feel addictive. If you prefer immediate social reward, it can feel isolating.
Typical career paths include Petrochemical, Pharma, and Materials.
Estimated average IQ is ~130. This is a rough proxy derived from standardized-test correlations; it’s not a hard requirement for success.
It’s hard if the feedback loop taxes your weaknesses. If you enjoy deep focus and structured problem-solving, the same workload can feel manageable—sometimes even enjoyable.
Common traits include Chemistry and Systems Thinking.
Typical career paths include Petrochemical, Pharma, and Materials.