Freshman Admission

Over 1,400 new freshman students enrolled in the College of Engineering for the 2007 fall semester.  These students were selected from over 4,000 freshman applications.  Admission to undergraduate programs in engineering is competitive.  A student's high school record, including grade point average and class rank, receives the most emphasis in the admissions decision. 

Students who have taken advanced courses, particularly in math, chemistry and physics, are best prepared for the academic rigor of the College of Engineering and are more competitive in the admissions process.  Also considered are standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) and, to a lesser extent, extracurricular activities and leadership experiences.  For the fall of 2007, the average first-year student admitted to the College of Engineering had a weighted high school grade point average between 3.9 and 4.4, or mainly A's and B's, and SAT scores in the 1170-1350 range (on the original two-part SAT, critical reading and math) or ACT scores in the mid-to-high 20's. Students are required to submit new SAT scores with the writing component, although that score is not used extensively in the admission decision at this time.

For complete information on the admissions process, including deadlines and other requirements, see Admissions.  Be sure to read about the new application deadlines and notification dates.

Engineering students are admitted to a common first year.  They must successfully complete English, calculus, chemistry, physics, and introductory engineering and computer courses before enrolling in an academic department (matriculation).  First-year students also begin their Humanities and Social Sciences electives, which they will complete during their upperclass years.

Students who know which engineering major they want may indicate it on the admissions application.  Those students are enrolled as "Unmatriculated" students in that department, with a faculty member from that department serving as their advisor during the freshman year.  Students who plan to major in an engineering discipline but are undecided on a specific major when they apply can indicate "Engineering Undeclared" on the application. Those students will have an advisor in the College of Engineering Academic Affairs Office until they matriculate.

Since all engineering students take a common freshman year, either of these first-year options will ensure that a student takes the required courses for matriculation into a department later.