So I’m a senior (planned major is computer engineering) running through college apps, and I noticed that the College of DuPage and University of Michigan Flint have 2+2 programs that guarantee acceptance to UIUC and Ann Arbor after 2 years. Are there any glaring downsides or issues downside doing one of these programs instead of going to a single university for 4 years? My 1350 SAT and 3.7 GPA would make it difficult otherwise to get into the two bigger universities above, and so I had initially planned for Purdue or Michigan Tech as a safety. Thanks.
It depends.
Is the guarantee dependent on meeting high grade and GPA requirements?
Does the guarantee include admission to your first choice major?
Does the first school have full coverage of the frosh/soph level courses that the second school requires for your major, or would you have to take a lot of “catch up” courses after transfer?
Note, however, the Purdue requires first year engineering students to earn a 3.2 GPA to get into their first choice major; those with lower GPAs need to compete for admission to their desired engineering majors.
You might be better served doing lsa and transferring but that can be challenging as well. Anything transferring to Michigan can be a challenge as they are very picky. Sounds like your instate to Illinois and Iliniois started a pre engineering program a few years back. That might make more sense. Also check out Iowa State University.Great engineering school. Lots it Iliniois kid’s.Easier to get in.Kids get great job offers with Good merit aid for Oos. One of the largest engineering fairs.
My general feeling is that if you want engineering, you are best served by going to college where you can start off in an engineering program. I am not a fan of the 2+2 programs for a few reasons:
– You would need to understand exactly what criteria would need to be make in order to do the transfer. Typically a certain GPA and certain courses are required. Get statistics on how many students start in the program and how many actually complete it.
– Some student who do qualify for the transfer find that they don’t want to leave their first school so they change majors, and graduate with their class.
–Transferring is not an easy thing. As a junior you would have to navigate a new social and academic landscape at a college where the vast majority of your classmates have been there and figured things out long ago.
–You would also need to understand what financial aid would be guaranteed at the second school if you go that route. Financial aid you get from one college may not necessarily be transferable to the second school.
If you want to do a 2+2 program, you have to make sure you get familiar with the requirements at the second college you go to. A lot of the time there’s “fine print” that isn’t apparent at face value.
Even at schools with branch campuses who use the 2+2 program, so credits directly transfer without much work, it can be difficult to get things as smoothly as you would when you start at the main campus.
If the 4 year school has a publicized articulation program with the CC then it is certainly possible and something a number of students do to reduce the financial burden. Make sure that you know exactly what the agreements are and what you have to do to stay on track.