@AlenaGT3 thank you so much!
@JemmaSimmons yeah I stayed over, but I was with the rowing team.
Just an FYI for those applying to GEAR since it doesn’t seem like anyone has mentioned this: If you are not accepted into the program as an enrolling freshman, but are still accepted to UR, you can still basically do GEAR anyway. I know lots of people who have done this (myself included) who just completed their respective engineering BS in 4 years, applied for their MS program (no GRE required), and completed it in a year.
Also, I’m not sure if GEAR is binding, in that it requires you to return for a 5th year before receiving 2 degrees. But if that is the case, being non-GEAR actually gives you more freedom since you have the option to study elsewhere for graduate school 4 years down the road.
As long as you are a decent undergrad student, UR is likely to accept you into their program. I’d imagine it helps their retention statistics if their undergrads are likely to return for a graduate degree. Also, the benefits listed on the GEAR program are not really exclusive to GEAR - with the exception that you are assured admission into the MS program. But say you are a 3.0-3.5 undergrad student with good recommendations, you should have no problem getting in.
I’ve added some comments in parenthesis below:
GEAR Program Perks:
-Assured admission to the MS program as an entering undergraduate (Only exception)
-Exemption from qualifying exams for the MS program (Not required for UR BS students anyway, unless something changes)
-Up to 50% tuition award for the fifth year of study (This is available to any returning BS engineering student, but keep in mind that the amount varies by department)
-Focused advising by GEAR mentors (All undergrad engineering students are assigned advisors who are readily available)
-Extensive research, internship, and professional development opportunities (These are available to all undergrads, GEAR or otherwise. It will be up to the student to reach out to professors/companies for research and internship opportunities. These are not difficult to find if you are willing to look/ask)
-Access to premier research facilities as both an undergraduate and graduate student (This is true for both GEAR/non-GEAR undergrads)
I hope this provides some useful insight to prospective engineering students.