How hard is it to get into the 3-2 Program with Columbia from Wesleyan? Is it very competitive? How many students usually apply and how many spots are there in it? Thanks.
As long as complete the requirements for the Wesleyan degree you are guaranteed admission to Columbia’s engineering program. Dartmouth is not guaranteed but is highly likely as the number of people interested in the program is never very large. The Caltech 3-2 program is competitive. You can read about it here: http://www.wesleyan.edu/engineering/3-2_program.html
Expect a few dozen freshmen to be interested in it and then maybe one or two to actually see it through. Some years zero people did it.
Like the above poster said, it’s guaranteed if you fulfill certain requirements, so it’s not particularly difficult if you play by the book. However, I would not recommend pursuing this program. Not only will loading up on the required courses stifle your ability to pursue your interests, but it will mean completely abandoning the friend group you have built up over 3 years for a completely new community.
If you are absolutely set on getting an engineering degree (without grad school) then go for it. But that’s about the only good reason.
Don’t go into engineering.
A friend of mine was in the 3-2 program and his job got outsourced to India after 2 years. He hasn’t been able to find a job in the field since.
Connections > Education.
^
That is not the case. There has been around 4 to 7 people enrolling in Columbia each year. People who are motivated can definitely do it.