<p>We have seen the Engineering Open House scheduled for Sat Mar 23. DS is attending the Days on the lawn Mon the 25th. We have not been invited to the Engineering Open House, but were thinking it would be beneficial for DS and high school sophomore daughter. We are traveling from Florida so it will require a few extra days, but we were thinking it would be productive and informative. If anyone knows more about the SEAS open house, please let us know. DS received a nice mailing from SEAS yesterday, but said there was no mention of the open house in it.</p>
<p>I don’t recall whether SEAS ever sent a separate promotional brochure to us regarding the open house. The link below provides details on the Open House. There’s no pre-registration required. I highly recommend attending if your son is interested in engineering. </p>
<p>[U.Va</a>. Engineering Open House](<a href=“http://www.seas.virginia.edu/events/openhouse.php]U.Va”>http://www.seas.virginia.edu/events/openhouse.php)</p>
<p>Thank you, ChrisTKD, this link is very helpful. We will definitely attend. Seems very fortunate that it is scheduled so close to his DOTL date.</p>
<p>Which type of engineering you provide.</p>
<p>We went to the open house last spring. We were told that eng students can minor in business but must apply. We were told that the eng students interested in majoring in the biomedical-eng had to apply and be accepted. Okay–no problem.</p>
<p>NOW after being in the school- as a 2nd semester student, we are told there are problems with CS and the dept will not allow any minors and limit space to majors. </p>
<p>So what happens to all the kids that are first year students there now! Their plan to study CS is a shattered dream!</p>
<p>This should have been told BEFORE a student entered the school and turned down other universities! The news is just coming out today but the dept knew about it in advance!</p>
<p>ALSO, a major CS prof quit last summer when UVA had all the political mess (Pres fired and rehired etc) BUT to my knowledge was never replaced. I just saw a search for CS prof on the DECEMBER board. </p>
<p>Hopefully they will be upfront with your student!</p>
<p>I know this must be very frustrating to many people right now. Regarding applying for majors: All SEAS students must apply for their major within engineering their second semester. There are caps on all, however depending on demand some reach their caps some don’t. Historically Biomedical has been the most competitive. I don’t think that’s any secret. I don’t have the percentages off the top of my head as to how many students get their first choice, and how many get into each major, however I will try to find these. I know we had this information available prior to my son deciding on UVa.</p>
<p>Respectfully, regarding Prof Wulf’s resignation last summer, he was teaching one class each semester and was not in good health. His wife still works in the CS department. He was a great teacher with an amazing legacy at UVa, however IMHO his resignation was not a factor in the changes that are happening now.</p>
<p>EDIT to add information regarding % of students in SEAS being accepted to their choice of major (from the 2012-2013 SEAS Undergraduate Handbook available on the UVa SEAS website, section 4.14):
<a href=“http://www.seas.virginia.edu/advising/UG_handbook.pdf[/url]”>http://www.seas.virginia.edu/advising/UG_handbook.pdf</a></p>
<p>There was another prof, also at retirement age and involved in the BOV fiasco, who was supposed to teach one of my sibling’s CS classes. He resigned the Friday before the start of classes last fall, which needless to say left everyone in a huge jam – no book, no syllabus, no instructor. That vacancy is likely the posted position.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks MechWahoo. I didn’t hear about the other prof. Although unfortunate, it’s something all universities face, none are immune, and have to find the best way to deal with. Many simply rely on ‘the fifth year’ for overloaded majors, especially engineering schools. That’s not an option at UVa.</p>