Glad I could help! Hope you had a great visit! 
I was accepted for computer engineering, but I think that I may want to switch to electrical engineering if I enroll. Would I be able to do that? I don’t know how stingy UMD is with those kinds of things.
You can switch …there is no quota/limitation to number of students per discipline. The limitation of students applies to the engineering department as a whole.
"► How do I change/declare my major within engineering?
Engineering students are encouraged to select their major or engineering specialization as soon as possible but must choose no later than the end of their third semester.
Engineering students can change their major within the School of Engineering by simply submitting an online Major Change form found on this website under Forms."
For more info here’s the page with that info
http://www.eng.umd.edu/advising/faq
I would suggest looking at the 4 year plans for each discipline to be sure u understand the differences in classes after the first year (the foundation courses for all engineering disciplines are common to all so that’s why u technically don’t have to declare until 3rd semester. You can find the 4 year plans on this page
http://www.eng.umd.edu/advising/four-year-plan
maryversity’s suggestion to look at the 4 year plans is a good one! If after doing so, you still aren’t certain, you can consider staying in the computer engineering program and going for your masters in EE. My son did Comp Eng. at UMD and loved the program there! He was opposite from you though and found that he preferred the computer science end more. By the time he realized this, it was easier to finish Comp. Eng. and get his masters in Comp Sci which is what he is doing. Also, a few of his friends (I don’t think it was very many! It may have only been one! lol!) did a dual major of Comp. Sci and EE. Job prospects for both majors were great by the time they graduated!
Just wanted to bump this thread up for those interested in engineering to encourage the need to apply by the priority deadline of November 1st…start at page one, and start reading. Maryland engineering is really awesome.
My S is OOS and wants to apply to the MechE program. His SAT scores seem to be lower than the profile (650 Math 580 Reading) but he has a 4.3 GPA is ranked in the top 7% of his class, taking AP Calculus and Physics as well as his third year of CADD, has great EC’s, and placed 3rd in the Regional science fair last year, but this thread is making me think he may not be competitive enough to get into the UMD engineering program. How important are his test scores? Is UMD admissions holistic?
Hmm, in short, scores are very important and admissions are holistic, despite what it may seem like. But yes, Maryland engineering admissions for incoming freshman are highly competitive, especially since engineering is a LEP (limited enrollment program).
So, with a 1230, he is actually below the average score of 50% of admitted students (listed as 1260 to 1420, and 29-33 on the ACT) for admissions in general. Only 25% scored lower, and I would bet the farm that those in the 25% range are not OOS.
The updated stats listed online for engineering admissions are:
SAT/ACT/GPA information on this list of freshmen (class of 2019) is as follows:
Average GPA: 4.40
Combined Math/Critical Reading SAT Scores:
o Average: 1399
o 25th Percentile: 1320
o 75th Percentile: 1480
SAT Math Scores:
o Average: 726
o 25th Percentile: 690
o 75th Percentile: 770
So, how does Maryland handle a student with a great school record but test scores not in the preferred range? The answer is Freshman Connection (Spring admission with an option to start classes in the fall through this program).
Of course, there is always the exception, so I want to be clear that I am just a parent, and I am not trying to predict how Maryland will evaluate his application. I am just giving information (which can be verified online) and offering my personal opinion.
If there is an opportunity to take the test again before applying, I would go for it. Some other posters have stated they checked with the school and allegedly Maryland will consider the Nov 7 SAT scores for priority application if you select to have the scores sent directly to the school when you register for the test. Personally, I would double check that with the school to be sure before counting on that. If the answer is yes, and your son is willing to commit to serious practice daily, he can raise his math score. It is actually easier to raise math score than the reading score, so if he only focusses on raising his math rather than trying to raise both, he will stand a better chance of getting to goal.
Thank you so much for the information. Spring admit would never be an option we would pursue. Maryland is on his list, but not his first choice so I will probably let him know his chances aren’t great and let him decide if he wants to apply. If he still wants to apply, we will keep our visit scheduled for early next month.
I hope you understand I was not trying to “predict” spring admission for your son…I was only answering the question about holistic admissions at Maryland and letting you know about the Freshman Connection program.
You can look up the program online and see it really is a great opportunity and does not affect ultimate graduation date, so I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand so easily. But, honestly, that’s putting the cart before the horse.
It absolutely is possible that he will be admitted for Fall, as I do not speak for the school, and they will see his entire application that is not represented by the few stats you gave.
I do stand by my recommendation to retake the SAT though…it certainly can’t hurt, regardless of which engineering program he applies to. My younger child raised her math score over 100 points just from dedicated daily practice.
No no, I didn’t take it that way. I just hate to make an overnight out of state trip if he doesn’t have much of a chance of getting in, but we probably will. And I agree taking the SAT again is a good idea. I think he is capable of raising that math score a bit. I did read up on the Freshman Connection, and we both laughed at how he would actually enjoy taking his classes late in the day. He will apply and I guess we will see what happens. He has some unique things on his transcript and resume, so you never know. I really do appreciate your insight.
Just wanted to bump this thread up for everyone that applied to engineering. Go back to/start on page one to get the most info…
Maryversity, why do you think the lower 25% are not out of state? Wouldn’t the university lean more towards collecting a 300% markup in tuition?
Just to reiterate, it is just my personal opinion and not necessarily true…the reason I say this is because as a public university, they are required to admit a certain percentage of in-state students. So, while the “300% markup in tuition” for OOS students is appealing/incentive to admit more OOS students, the issue is that they simply are limited in spaces available for OOS admissions. If you were an admissions officer and you have (as an example, completely arbitrary) 40
spots available and 100 applicants for those 40 spots. Since it is a numbers game, and you have to admit more than 40 - let’s say the bean counters figured out you need to admit 50 to get an actual enrollment of 40- wouldn’t you want to
admit the applicants with the higher stats for those spots?
Bumping up for those with questions on engineering…congrats to all new Terps!
@maryversity , I felt I should give you an update. My DS was accepted to UMD in Letters and Sciences for Fall 2016. Even though he didn’t get direct admit to Clark, he was thrilled given he was on the low end of their SAT scores. He is waiting on a couple of other schools before he makes a decision. Thanks for all of the great information you have posted!
Congrats! Welcome to Terp Nation! I am glad to hear the update…Fwiw, my son had several friends freshman year that were not direct admits to Clark, but did the gateway classes, were admitted, and will be graduating with their engineering degree alongside my son this semester! So, while it is disappointing, it really is just a hiccup due to space issues, and not a worry… if he wants to attend, the internal transfer is basically guaranteed as long as he fulfills the gateways satisfactorily. Unlike the business school, it is not competitive to transfer into. Best of luck in the decision process and let me know if you have any questions…I’m happy to help however I can.
Hi @maryversity, some great info on this thread.
We are from Bangalore, India. My daughter got accepted to Clark College with Comp Eng major with Honors college invitation.
She has also been accepted in UMass-Amherst (Comp Eng) with honors and scholarship (50% tuition). Any thoughts on the two colleges? (I know you are biased towards UMD, but still… Currently, we are leaning towards UMass because of the scholarship. Does UMD provide any kind of scholarship for intl students? If it helps, we are moving to California and we will be CA residents by this time next year. Does that change the scholarship situation?
Thanks.
Congrats! That’s great news! Honestly, the best way to choose a college is by fit. Since visiting campuses are not an option at this point, she should look carefully at the programs. She needs to compare curricula side-by-side and then look at what kinds of programs are available to support women in engineering at each school. Here is the info for the 4-year plan computer engineering at Maryland https://www.eng.umd.edu/sites/default/files/images/current/forms/4yrplan/2013-2014/comp-4yrplan-gep2013-2014.pdf (scroll to second page to see class titles and go to https://ntst.umd.edu/soc/ for more detailed description - I’m sure your daughter will be able to navigate her way around to see what she needs)
Here are some links about the women in engineering programs http://www.wie.umd.edu and http://wie.umd.edu/undergrad/flexus
She should also compare the freshman design class - the hovercraft competition is pretty unique… http://www.eng.umd.edu/html/news/news_story.php?id=8335 https://www.eng.umd.edu/html/news/news_story.php?id=7389
I’m sorry but I really couldn’t answer about scholarships for international students…might be worth a phone call.
Another factor to consider is the climate of each school…UMass is going to be a LOT colder in winter, with lots of snow…
@ReminiscingDad you asked about engineering so I wanted to call your attention to this thread …start on page one and be sure to open the links for full info. Let me know if u have any other questions …my son is graduating this semester