Engineering-Econ Double Major Feasible?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

Hi! I was wondering if it was possible to double major in Mechanical Engineering and Economics at UVA? I am an up-incoming first year in SEAS too. I know that there is an engineering business minor but I was more interested in the double major. I know that the engineering courseload is pretty set but I know that some classes could overlap in terms of electives, etc. Also, if this is not possible at all, is it possible to do a 5th year MBA with an ME major?

2

I don’t know. However here’s a couple thoughts for everyone:

  1. You cannot combine a UVa bachelors with a MBA. Darden awards MBAs and they don't accept students without substantial experience. You can get a masters from the Comm School in accounting or a couple similar fields right after a bachelors.
  2. Double majors are typically accomplished by students with large amounts of AP credit or similar advanced credit.
  3. If you are receiving federal, state or UVa financial aid, be aware that it is often limited to 8 semesters. If you need to extend your studies to a 9th or 10th semester, you will be paying full sticker price, which is particularly high for out of state students. With a 5 year joint bachelors-masters program, the first 4 years are considered undergrad for financial aid and the 5th year is treated as grad school with completely different types of aid (or no aid). Don't automatically assume that it is always possible to finish a "5 year" joint bachelors-masters in 5 years.
  4. The State of Virginia has rules for in-state students that can increase your tuition if you overstay your welcome at a public university by earning too many credits without graduating.
3

bump

4

It possible. My son did systems engineering and economics.

Some classes do overlap. For him, he still needed 3 more classes that he overloaded 3 semesters. He was considering droping the double major after 2nd semester but decided to stick with it. My suggestion is that if you have to overload, do not do it. It time consuming and you do not gain much other than personal satisfaction. None of the companies he interviewed bought out the fact ha did a double major. They were more interested in gpa and your technical courses.