<p>My son, a rising senior, wants to attend Maryland for engineering. We are out of state. I hear that the engineering school is harder to get in there. He got 1950 SAT (720 math), 3.96 gpa (weighted), Honors classes in math & science and will be in 3 AP courses this year. He plays a lot of soccer in school and clubs, and not much more extra stuff because he was playing year round. Any thoughts on his chances? His mom is an alum, I don't know if that matters at all. Any input is appreciated.</p>
<p>Engineering is an LEP program - much harder to get in than other programs. He might have a chance, but depending on his AP classes, it might be a tough call. I have friends that are OOS in the engineering program and they had pretty near perfect scores in math and took SAT subtests in mathII and physics and got 800 on both. Though Maryland does not require subtest scores on the SAT most engineering schools do so he should take them. Also the number of his AP classes is really low unless his school does not offer that many. I had 12 AP classes and most of my friends had at least 9. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, engineering is more competitive. FYI, Maryland only considers the M + CR score for admissions. For engineering, 50 percent of the Class of 2017 scored between 1320 and 1450 on the SAT. </p>
<p>As for the number of AP classes, I wouldn’t worry about that as much for engineering per se. I am also OOS and my son also took all honors classes but only took AP classes in math and science, so not the full load that was possible. (However, he did have higher test scores and gpa).</p>
<p>I happen to also be an alum, and I was told in no uncertain terms that it is not taken into consideration at all for admission. The only thing it does is make your son eligible for some scholarships specifically for children of alum.</p>
<p>Dudley is right that taking SAT subject tests are not required for Maryland, but most engineering schools do want to see them, so he should definitely register to take them asap - at least one math and one science.</p>
<p>So, two things you need to understand about Maryland admissions: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>you need to apply by Nov 1st priority deadline (priority is not a commitment like ED) in order to be considered for any merit scholarships or special programs (even if not in running for merit $, it still gives you the best consideration for admission).</p></li>
<li><p>you are considered for admission to the university first, and then the LEP (limited enrollment program). So, it does happen quite often that students are accepted to the university, but not the LEP they want. They start out in Letters and Sciences, take the “gateway” courses, and then can reapply to the LEP as an “in-school transfer.” Some LEP’s are extremely competitive for in-school transfers, but fortunately, engineering is only competitive for direct admission - easy to transfer in if you meet their stated requirements satisfactorily. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>You noted you are OOS but you didn’t state where. You might be interested to know that if you are from NJ/NY/PA, admissions are more competitive than other states. There is a huge number of students from that region and Maryland wants to increase geographic diversity. So, if you are from midwest or west coast, your chances are significantly better. But that is just for admission in general, not specific to engineering.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great input. A lot to think about and do. we are from New Jersey and know that it is a popular destination around here. It would be leap of faith to start in Letters & Sciences, assuming he gets in there, but if he really wants it, it can happen. we are going down to see the school in a couple of weeks and looking forward to it.</p>
<p>I’m sure you will have a great time and your wife in particular will really enjoy the visit…so much has changed over the years! It’s really exciting to see. Be prepared to buy your wife some Terp gear ;).</p>
<p>Are you going for a Friday engineering info session? Does your son know what discipline he’s interested in? </p>
<p>I hope I didn’t scare you when I mentioned Letters and Sciences (I was not implying anything at all). I just wanted you to be aware of it since so many people are thrown by the concept. It’s honestly not a big deal. My son has several friends that were admitted to scholars (so clearly good students like your son) but were not direct admits to engineering. They took the classes needed, got the grades needed, and they are now officially in engineering. </p>
<p>Some schools accept more students for engineering and do weed out by making the classes ridiculously tough. Maryland takes a different approach by making direct admission tougher, and aims for retention rather than weed out. It’s not at all a cut-throat environment, which is important in an already intense major like engineering.</p>
<p>Hope you have a great visit!</p>
<p>We are going for the engineering info session on a Friday. We have a friend’s son who is starting as a freshman in engineering this fall with very similar stats. I will have to get my wife some terp gear since the jersey she has clearly has seen better days. :)</p>
<p>Hello! I am a very recent alum of the engineering school at maryland and worked for the school as an ambassador for recruitment. I have a lot of experience speaking to incoming students and their parents on the requirements for the school. While no one but the admissions board can tell you if your son will be admitted there are many options if you think his chances are not 100 percent certain. I will basically give you the spiel I give at those Friday info session ( yes students like me give them) First of all, the school looks for a high GPA in challenging course ( honors and APs) The number doesnt necessarily correspond to admittance though, its moreso the subject matter. AP’s in Physics, Calculus, Chemistry, Biology, and Java wouldnt hurt though. Leadership roles are also looked at, on a club or sports team, in projects, in research opportunities, in jobs etc. Third is ability to work in a team. I am not kidding when I say all my classes had group projects, much like how I plan to work in the future. The admission boards wants to see that the student can work on a team whether that be sports, academics, charity, a student will NOT do well without this characteristic. The very first class all engineers have to take is our Intro to Engineering ENES100 course where engineers of all backgrounds must work in a team to build a autonomous hovercraft. its quite difficult when you’re a freshman but it helps to be working with others who might know something you didnt. Oops Back to the topic. Just don’t be afraid to boast about yourself. It is important to let all your great qualities shine. </p>
<p>If however you have been deferred to Spring semester or offered admittance into the Letters and Sciences program, no worries. Many students successfully apply and enter the engineering school their second semester on campus. To apply for any engineering major, the student must obtain a B or better in Calculus I, Physics I, Chemistry I, and a core class ([Undergraduate</a> Advising: Transfer Admission | A. James Clark School of Engineering](<a href=“Transfer to Maryland Engineering | A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland”>Transfer to Maryland Engineering | A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland)) Some of the engineering majors like Bioengineering require a B- or better in a specific course pertaining to the major. </p>
<p>I hope this helps. Honestly, no one can tell you your sons chances, as long as write a quality essay, has the grades and extra curriculars to back it up, he has a great chance</p>
<p>Thanks Tortina, very helpful. Although he really does not have a ton of EC, he does assume a leadership role on the soccer field, and is working which also shows a level of responsibility for a 17 year old. We have heard that it is not a good idea to write an essay about sports, but perhaps he should touch on the leadership role as the leader of the defense, with the blessing of the coach to organize that side of the field during the game. I don’t want him to try to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, as they say…He has the honors and AP work, we will just have to sweat it out as I am sure you did one upon a time. Best of luck in your future endeavors.</p>