<p>My son was accepted into ACES, but wanted Mechanical Engineering for his first choice. I've done some reading and get conflicting information on how hard it is to get into the program after your first or second semester. I don't want him to start off behind and have to struggle to get accepted.<br>
He was accepted into Mechanical Engineering at URI, Stonybrook, UNH, UVM, Wentworth, and Roger Williams.
His first choice is UCONN. My worry is it will either be too challenging or do difficult to transfer into the program. Trying to decide if it best for him to go to "lesser" school and start off from day one in his selected major, learning community, etc. He is an average HS student 3.5 GPA 1800 SAT's. Thank you for any input/advice.</p>
<p>From what I know coming from ACES or any other school at UConn, you will need a 2.9 to be accepted into the Engineering school. My roommate freshman year was in the same situation and was accepted into the Engineering school after his first year. In ACES just have your son tell his adviser that he wishes to enter the Engineering school. At orientation your son will be able to select similar classes that a first semester freshman in the engineering school would take so he does not fall behind.</p>
<p>As far as difficulty goes, some students are not cut out for the first year chem and calc. UConn does offer plenty of tutoring opportunities in the library such as a Q Center which specifically caters to math and science classes. If you son is willing to put in the effort it is more than certainly doable.</p>
<p>Those are all good schools that your son was accepted to and would recommend selecting the school that is the best ‘Fit’ both academically and socially. If UConn is his first choice I would say go for it. You are able to apply to the school of engineering after each semester, so if he does not have the grades after the first semester he should be realistic but not discouraged.</p>
<p>In all honest, I believe that the engineering program at UConn will be the most academically respected out of all the schools he is deciding upon. I also believe that mechanical engineering will be a heavy course load no matter what school he choices to attend.</p>
<p>Crean-My DS is in the same position at our flagship, UMass Amherst. He got accepted as an Undeclared rather than into Mech Eng. during the EA round. During EA they only use your credentials up to Oct to make their decisions. In Dec he took the SATs again and went up 200 pts (from 1780 super score to 1980) so they do offer the option of a “2nd look” and we have asked them to do this with his new SAT scores and with his 1st semester Senior year grades. (I think his final GPA comes out be a 3.36). We are waiting to hear their decision. </p>
<p>UMass Amherst is his 2nd choice. UConn is his 1st choice too and, luckily, he was acceptd into UConn for Mech Eng. (he was also accepted into UMass Lowell, UNH, URI, Roger Williams, and Western New England Univ. he was rejected from WPI and we are still waiting to hear from RIT). </p>
<p>Even though UMass is financially the best choice for him, if he doesn’t get into Engineering I think he will end up going to UConn. I think it is a harder choice for you because I agree with Invader that UConn is the best choice academically for your DS. If my DS hadn’t gotten into UConn we’d be in the same boat (but I suspect that he might’ve decided to go to a school where he is already in the engineering program). Good luck.</p>
<p>He was likely deferred from ME because it’s a very crowded major at the moment. Most engineers who are just looking for a job after college choose it as it’s believed to be the most employable. This isn’t really true, but that’s another subject entirely.</p>
<p>With regards to switching into ME, you’ll need a 3.2 GPA. I’m not certain if you can transfer after a semester or if you have to wait until sophomore year. It will likely be sophomore year because they give priority to transfers to ME to students already in the SoE. If your son feels at all confident that he can accomplish this (3.2 is around a B+), I would say go for it. The difficulty of the introductory chemistry and calculus courses is really pretty overstated here. As long as you’re spending at least a couple hours a day working hard, a 3.2 should be manageable. And if you can’t do that, you probably won’t make it through the next three years of engineering school anyways.</p>
<p>Crean184,</p>
<p>Just got off the phone with my DS just a few short hours ago…</p>
<p>At the start of this year he went ACES because he was not sure if he wanted ME or EE. He just went to guidance today because he decided on EE. </p>
<p>He wast told it was a good decision because with ME there were Jr’s still waiting to get into the program and you need a 3.3 GPA.</p>
<p>Take it for what it’s worth but ME is quite popular at UCONN. He was thrilled to have decided on EE. Tougher but the line is not as long!! </p>
<p>I have to tell you I was a little concerned with ACES and not tracking; however, no worries!! My DS is right on track to grad in 4 years. He followed all the classes that would have been offered to a kid accepted into ME or EE. He just started his 2nd semester and again has all the classes he needs that a ME or EE would need. </p>
<p>Fear not the ACES at some level it allows you child to look at other avenues. I’m an engineer myself and UCONN has been very good with solid direction and getting my DS what he needs to stay on track.</p>
<p>Its all good… I’m now on the college dance with child No.2. I have made trips to Lehigh, Union, Villanova, UMD and now waiting for the rest of his list. He did his engineering research some time ago and knows he is going EE.</p>
<p>3Units-thank you so much for this info. It does concern me because he ultimately wants to be an automotive engineer, and Mechanical is the only route. I know you said your DS was in ACES. Do you see much disadvantage not being in the “School of Engineering”.for the first year? Are they left out with regard to i.e. advisors, dorms, peers, etc. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Crean184,</p>
<p>My DS ended up in a dorm with sophomores, he did’nt like that for about the first day!!! He thought he was going to miss something in the engineering or freshman dorm but nothing could be further than the thought.</p>
<p>He found that by being around the sophomores it gave him an edge on the overall picture. The upper classman gave him a lot of guidance which helped with his studies. In the end no matter where these kids end up they find where they belong and make the best of it. Clearly not all would agree; however, the majority just fit right into what they want.</p>
<p>I get a lot of feed back from my DS and have meet many of the kids he is now friends with. All I can say is that UCONN attracts some really respectable kids that really want to do well.</p>
<p>The advisors are also very good and proactive, they do not sell a bill of good, they just tell it like it is and try their best to help the kids get the classes they need to succeed. There is a deeper level of the school the kids do not see because they are kids. </p>
<p>I can tell you that as a parent and manager it is a really good school. Considering the direction in which the Presiden is taking UCONN it is only going to get better and more difficult to get in.</p>
<p>All due respect to the other choices your child has I would not kick UCONN to the curb to fast. My DS got into many of the same schools, there is no way he would go anywhere other than UCONN now.</p>
<p>Almost forgot the engineering dorm is right next to the dorm where many of the freshman and sophomore live. </p>
<p>Cheers…</p>
<p>As an update. I spoke with the UCONN Engineering Dept. and they said that you need a 3.4 after first or second semester to get into Mech. Eng. Most with that cum will eventually get in. She said the other Engineering majors require a 2.7 cum in order to get in. Mech is by far the most popular and most difficult to get in.</p>
<p>Hey Crean184, who did you talk to about that? A 2.7 for all other engineering majors seems a little low.</p>
<p>I thought electrical required at least a 3.0.</p>