College of Engineering (COE)

Transfer Admissions

Bonnie Schmidt, Coordinator

Transfer Admissions

schmidt@engr.wisc.edu

608-262-4822

Engineering General Resources (EGR) Office

1150 Engineering Hall

1415 Engineering Drive

Madison, WI 53706

Office: 608-262-2473

www.engr.wisc.edu

Transfer Advisors Conference, Oct. 17, 2013

Today

COE Transfer Admission

- Departmental

- Pre-Departmental

Things to Keep in Mind

Two Ways to Transfer

from Off-Campus Directly to COE

Submit the standard online transfer application. Indicate

COE and the intended COE major. Admitted as:

– Departmental student in COE

• e.g., Geological Engineering (GLE), Electrical

Engineering (EE), Nuclear Engineering (NE)

– Pre-Departmental student in COE

• General Engineering Transfer (EGRT)

Departmental Admission to COE

• UW-Madison Transfer Admission Expectations, and

• Completion of the General College Requirements (and usually more), and

• Indicators (not guarantees) of “strong match” for the intended program, such as…

– Academic record that indicates likelihood of success in the program

• Example: additional course work in chemistry and/or biology for chemical

engineering, biomedical engineering

• Strong grade patterns across subjects, including composition and liberal studies

– Most successful applicants: min. 3.2 cumulative GPA and 3.2 math/science GPA

– Application statement that discusses reasons for pursuing the specific program

– Co-curricular activity related to engineering and intended program

– Strong recommendation letter from math, science, or engineering instructor

– These are guidelines, not a checklist!

Things to keep in mind…

• COE departments review the applications for possible

departmental admission.

• If not admitted to a department, students can still be admitted as

a Pre-Departmental student to COE.

• Agreement programs with COE exceed the General College

Requirements; therefore, students in these programs are

considered for departmental admission.

– Dual Degree

– Engineering Transfer Blueprint with Madison Area Technical

College

– Agreement program with College of Menominee Nation

Pre-Departmental Admission to COE• UW-Madison Transfer Admission Expectations, and

• Indicators (but not guarantees) of “good match” for engineering studies, such

as…

– Academic record that indicates likelihood of success as a COE student

• Course work that shows intention to pursue engineering study

• Several math and science courses from the General College Requirements

• Success in increasingly more challenging course work, across subjects

– Some full-time course work; pattern of at least 3.0 semester GPA no matter the

number of credits.

– Co-curricular involvement showing leadership, teamwork, creativity, etc.

– Application statement discussing interest in engineering; can address academic

factors of concern

– Letter of recommendation attesting to the student’s academic ability

– These are guidelines, not a checklist!

If admitted pre-departmental, transfer students must…

• Consult with advisor in Engineering General Resources Office

–Plan for intended and alternate engineering programs

• Qualify for admission to a COE program within four semesters

• Apply to a COE degree program

– Fulfill (or has already fulfilled) the General College Requirements.

– Transfer credits, but not transfer grades, are considered in the review.

– Admission is competitive and cannot be guaranteed.

• Consult with advisors across campus. Identify an alternate major

outside COE to keep options open.

Admission Decisions

Pre-Departmental: made by Office of Admissions and Recruitment

Departmental: made by COE

– Students who fulfilled General College Requirements

– Connections students pursuing engineering and transitioning to UW-

Madison

– Students in transfer agreement programs with COE

Notifications to All Admitted Students

Online notice and letter by Office of Admissions and Recruitment

Follow-up letter and communications by COE

Advising After Admission

Assigned to an advisor

• Pre-departmental students: advisor in Engineering General

Resources Office

• Departmental students: faculty and/or staff advisor in program

More Things to Keep in Mind

• Biomedical

• Chemical

• Civil

• Computer

• Electrical

• Engr Mechanics

• Engr Physics

• Geological

• Industrial

• Materials Sci & Engr

• Mechanical

• Nuclear

12 degree-granting programs in COE

All COE programs are at admission capacity.

One program has targeted admission:

Engineering Physics (EP) – Requires a minimum 54 credits and 3.5 cum GPA.

– The program is not accredited and is intended for those wanting to

pursue graduate school and research.

– Students usually enter the Nuclear or Engineering Mechanics program

first, consult with faculty advisors, then transfer later to EP if still

interested and qualified.

Off-campus course options

Required for progr. admssn

Comm Part A

Math 221, 222

Physics 201/207 or EMA 201

Chem 109 or 103-104

Required in all programs

Math 234

Physics 202/208

Ethnic studies

Liberal studies (humanities, social science)

Recommended, not required for transfer students

Intro to engineering course

Common to Several Programs

Public speaking

Microeconomics

Comp sci programming

Differential equations

Differential eq + linear alg

Intro organic chem

Foreign language can be helpful for study abroad

COE programs with fewer courses that can be taken

before transfer:

• Chemical

• Computer

• Electrical

• Materials Science & Engr

Pre-transfer tips

• Explore engineering and engineering majors.

– Intro to engineering course

– COE websites

– Personal network, job shadow, campus career center

– Experience full-time semester(s) with challenging course work

• Make steady (vs. speedy) progress.

– Take action if grades dip below “B.”

• Expand interests.

• Keep plans flexible.

• Identify alternatives.

Post-transfer tips: COE transfer students often find that…

• Courses are more time consuming and challenging than expected.

• Using academic support is central to engineering study.

• Enrichment course work (for interest, not just what’s required in

the curriculum) helps to balance semester loads.

• Finding a social community eases the transfer transition.

• Work hours have to be reduced.

• Their grades improve after the first semester, and they graduate

strong.

Possible COE admission changes for Fall 2015:

Transfer credit limit -- 85 or 100 credits?

Transfer application -- fall semester only?

Under discussion! Will keep advisors posted.

Thanks!

Questions?