<p>My kid was admitted into some universities. After some consideration, we kept UIUC and UMD. He wants to study engineering for his undergrad.
He was admitted into a non engineering program at UIUC, but into an engineering program at UMD. To help us with decision, we need more information. Please help with the following questions:
1. How open and friendly are the two colleges to outsiders?
2. How hard is it to transfer into engineering at UIUC?
3. What is the course workload like at the two colleges?
4. Do anyone know about the teaching effectiveness at the two schools? Some univ pays more attention to teaching even if they are well known for research.</p>
<p>Where are you from? I can only speak about UIUC, but</p>
<p>1) everyone here is super friendly, especially the faculty. Most people are either from Chicago (suburbs), central/southern Illinois, or Inertnational. </p>
<p>2) It’s not difficult, but it depend on what type of engineering (civil, bio, aero, etc.). If he’s done well in AP Physics and Calc and takes them first semester (MATH 221 and PHYS 211), he has a very good chance of being admitted. </p>
<p>3) It depends on the major, but most people take 14-16 hours. minimun is 12, for Dean’s list is 14. if you take clac (3), physics (3), rhet (4) and a couple of gen eds, you’re set. </p>
<p>4) Teaching depends on the course, althought most intro freshman classes have big lectures (~300 students) for three times a week where new concepts are introduced, and one or two discussion sections (~20 students) led by a graduate student to focus in on the topics and problem sets. Remember, this is college, and wherever you go you will need self motivation and a wiling to put in effort to learn on your own. there is no hand-holding. You have to take initiative and care for your own studies. </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Thank you, myopinion02.</p>
<p>I actually think it IS difficult to transfer majors at Illinois. Find out if the take all the students who meet the criteria, or if they have a certain number of slots and the top kids get them. U of I is a great school, friendly and the engineering school is amazing!</p>