<p>My son, a rising senior, is looking at GWU for engineering. We are going to see the school for a tour this week. I am eager to see the changes since I graduated with a BBA-Finance in 1982. I don't think I will recognize the school. He has a 3.96 weighted gpa, 1950 SAT(720 math) with 8 honors courses & ap in calculus, physics & statistics. Is the engineering school there more difficult to get in than the rest of the programs there? I know that political science is very strong but do not know much about the engineering program. lLso, are there opportunities for research/internship with agencies or organizations based in D.C. that would make it an appealing place to go?</p>
<p>My daughter will be starting her freshman year at GWU in a few weeks and is in SEAS. From what I heard at one of the admitted student days in April, they are trying to build up their engineering department. They are constructing a new engineering building and hiring new faculty as they try to grow their program. We spoke with students who have had several internships and everyone seemed to want the best for their peers in the department. It sounded like the engineering students are a very close-knit, supportive group.</p>
<p>Our state flagship is extremely competitive in engineering and the information sessions we attended made it seem like a very cutthroat program and we didn’t feel that the school actually wanted more engineering students nor wanted them to be successful. It was almost like they wanted the students to not make it into their program. They were extremely arrogant and off-putting and my daughter was very happy to have other options at different schools.</p>
<p>We felt much better with GWU’s engineering department. First of all, students get into their major as a freshman so they don’t have to worry about not getting into their major after sophomore year. GWU provides a retreat for all incoming engineering students prior to the start of school (fully funded) and offer free tutoring because they want their students to succeed. They provide mentors to the incoming students and my daughter has had all of her questions answered by people (faculty and students) in the department between the time she was accepted and now. If I recall correctly, they also have their own career center and help students find out about internships (I could be confusing GWU with another college regarding the career center so check that out yourself). </p>
<p>Overall, my daughter has felt extremely welcome and is really looking forward to starting school in a few weeks.</p>
<p>Thanks MSNDIS,
We are going to tour the engineering building on Thursday and then the general info/tour. It has come a long way since I was there from '78 to '82. I think the new renovations then are already being renovated, and my original dorm (Calhoun Hall) is not even there anymore. The tuition was an exorbitant $12,000 per year!</p>
<p>If the 3.96 is weighted, then your GPA is a little low. Get the SAT score above 2000.</p>
<p>P.S. Calhoun Hall has been renamed Lafayette Hall because of John C. Calhoun’s advocation of slavery lol.</p>