What are the engineering majors ranked from most competitive to least competitive? I am definitely going to apply and would really like to go here but I know that some majors are more competitive than others. I am interested in something like Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering but I do not know for sure. I was told that it is hard to get in by putting down undecided engineering as my first choice. I believe that I am a competitive applicant with a W GPA of 4.02 and an ACT score of 30 with a stem score of 32. By time I have graduated I would have taken 8 AP classes including Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, and AP Calculus. I have even taken a dual enrollment physics class for physics at DePaul university. If I had to pick a first choice I would pick computer science but would I have a good chance for admission?
This chart should give you an idea. Click the “Major Capacities” link at the bottom of this page: https://dgs.illinois.edu/pre-engineering . CS Engineering is thought to be most competitive, followed closely by Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering. I would say these three are all high reach majors for a 4.0 W and 30 ACT, but there is a chance if you have excellent EC or hooks like a being a URM. You can see the overall engineering middle 50 percent profile here showing ACT range of 32-35 and unweighted GPA of 3.7-4.0: https://engineering.illinois.edu/admissions/undergraduate/index.html
If you do list one of these competitive majors or LAS CS+X as your first choice, definitely list a less competitive engineering degree (Like Systems Engineering and Design) or something like LAS Math/Physics as your second choice. I don’t think any Engineering major could be considered a safety, so make sure you have a safety school or two as well.
As far as undecided last year it was their most competitive section. My son had a 3.95 unweighted with 34 act and got accepted to that. Illinois is also hard to move in and out of engineering majors so ask know about that. I know they started some preengineering program and you might want to check that out also. Trying to improve on the Act score would be key even for instate. Both cs and mechanical are highly competitive.
OP, why your name?
Thank you for your reply. As far as extracurriculars go I completed in two varsity sports and I have done a lot with student ambassadors and am the Vice President of the student council at my school. I have also done some other EC’s. But what I really would like to ask is what is the difference between a CS major in LAS and a CS major in Engineering? Do they take similar, if not the same, computer science classes? Do they have the same professors? Is the CS major in LAS competitive as well?
There are many threads on this very subject. I know the Michigan thread goes into this. I am not positive for Illinois but you are talking like a 2 class difference. Many people will tell you they are basically the same degree. Maybe others with direct knowledge will chime in.