Thank you for all your input so far.
I first got interested in the FE field because of the combination of programming, econ, and math, three of my favorite subjects. I am definitely interested in doing something programming related, WRF, your path seems to have more concentration in the finance department, a good one nonetheless.
Another question I would like to pose (and forgive me if this has been answered in another thread) is, if it would hurt me that much if I take a Computer Engineering major, with maybe a minor in an econ or a finance based field.
All the advice has been excellent so far, I can see where CE programs may be flawed as you pointed out GoIllini, and I can also recognize the benefits of Industrial Engineering, I would just like to know if doing a CE program would hurt my chances at top Master's programs, or even further down the road when I'm applying for a job.
Thank you
No rigorous engineering program will "hurt" your chances. Many financial engineers did engineering in their undergrad, and at some of the best schools, engineering is considered a stronger major than math. Some might say that Industrial Engineering and General Engineering are slightly less technical and "softer" majors, but they require the same math and physics courses as the other engineering programs and the gap between the two and say, Comp. E and M. E. in terms of the technicals is infinitessimal compared to the gap between IE/GE and Business or the Liberal Arts or Soft Sciences. If Industrial Engineering is what you love, go for that. (Be more careful with General Engineering- it will be a bit more work to line up a job straight out of school if you need a backup plan.)
One thing that may help you a little is to figure out what school is strongest at the major you enjoy- or which program is strongest at the school you'd like to go to. Illinois was extremely strong at Aerospace Engineering and Nuclear Engineering when I attended. That said, the wrong engineering major is a terrible way to spend four years. IMHO, you're going to be set up better for grad school if you focus on something you enjoy than if you focus on something that will get you into grad school- it will be easier to get higher GPAs.
If you love probability and the E&M portion of Physics AP that you took last year (or are taking this year), you'll enjoy Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering. At most schools, it's extremely easy to switch between the two before your Junior year, and some won't even allow you to choose which one you want to do until then.
If you like Calculus and Newtonian Mechanics, you'll enjoy M.E., TAM, Engineering Physics, and Civil Engineering.
If you like
logic puzzles and solving complicated mathematical problems, you'll like Computer Science.
Don't become a programmer because you like computer games or enjoy programming just for creative aspects. If you like computer games like Sim City, study Industrial Engineering. If you enjoy programming for creative or business aspects, you may enjoy one of the business majors combined with a number of CS courses. If you enjoy computer games like HALO, you may enjoy Aviation. Note that every engineer learns how to program to some extent (along with many business majors, too)- Computer Engineers and Computer Science majors just learn the gritty details of how Operating Systems, CPUs, and compilers work as well as how to solve really complicated mathematical problems computationally.
Don't let your parents pick your major for you. If you can't be decisive and have reliable friends who are in college and studying engineering,
try to let them pick the major for you instead of your parents.
My suggestion is to figure out a good compromise between what you love and what constitutes a strong major and roll with that. If you love art, enjoy energy, and hate chemistry, maybe you should go with the school's #7-ranked nuclear engineering program instead of its #2 ranked Mat. Sci. program or #50-ranked and impractical Art History program.