How hard is it really

<p>I have heard a lot about engineering at Wisconson and U of I.
I know U of I is very selective but i have seen numerous posts stating the need for 3.7 GPA and a 31 on your ACT. Assuming i get a 31 on my ACT and my GPA is low. Around a 3.5, with all AP and Honors classes unweighted. By the way i know its low, but i mean i don't regret it. I learned from my mistakes and i won't do them in college. But i just want to ask are these schools very as selective as some people make it out to be? I know my friend got into Wisconson engineering with a 29 and about the same GPA as me. ( Granted he graduated as a junior). If they are as selective what enineering colleges would you recommend for me? Also i talked to my counselor and she said i could go in undecided then apply later on. I just want to know if this will hurt me if say i don't get accepted once i am in the school. Is it good to go in undeclared in the hopes of getting into engineering later on? Lastly just be blunt i know my priorities weren't straight but now they are. Also if i am interested in computer science would this still be considered engineering?</p>

<p>And if i forgot to mention it, if i couldn’t get into those two; what is a good engi school in the midwest where i could apply?</p>

<p>I may be wrong but I am pretty sure that you can probably get into these schools for engineering.</p>

<p>If you want to be an engineer, apply to the University’s COE (College of Engineering (not undecided in general, that is not a good strategic plan). Most engineering colleges are allowing engineers admitted to the school of engineering to declare a major in their sophomore year. With your grades based on recent experience, money not a factor, here are a few suggested high ranking schools that may accept a 3.5 UGPA and 29 ACT: Purdue, University of Texas - Austin, perhaps Georgia Tech. A few others that I know of: Michigan Tech, Michigan State, Kettering (I live in Michigan). There are many very good to excellent engineering programs. I suggest you do more homework researching the schools, the approach, campus, etc. We liked Purdue for the engineering honors (invitation) and overall program, co op program option, etc. The Central Campus is engineering, engineers live in same dorms right behind the engineering buildings. They do allow more kids into the program than others, but the standards are high to graduate. About 1/3 leave the program so they graduate about the same as U of M and other high ranking engineering schools. I went to General Motors Institue (GMI) and they told us on the first day about 1/3 of the kids would not be there on graduation day for many reasons (flunk out, did not like engineering, etc). It you are seriously considering engineering get right on the engineering path. It is much easier to transfer out of engineer than into engineering. This year, Engineerings Schools have many more qualified to overqualified kids than they have spots for. Most good schools enroll 800 - 1400 Freshman, that is not many considering many of the highly regarded great larger university schools such as Michigan graduate 10K or more per year in LSA. Again do your homework, re take the ACT (you can take it again and most likely do better knowing how the test works, timing, etc), and really writing good essays. Colleges want good essays these days. Good Luck</p>

<p>Thanks for the answers,but how about the colleges that i chose right now? Wisconson and UIUC? Purdue is quite expensive 40,000 out of state. So yes i would like to keep it winthin 35,000.</p>

<p>Average GPA around 3.67 for UIUC 3.77 for UWI, ACT 30 and 31. If you have GPA and ACT score above these average, you do have a chance. For GPA 3.5 ACT 31, that would be a likely a low reach for engineering of these schools.</p>

<p>So they don’t take into account the harder classes that i took?</p>

<p>^^^ When most of the other applicants also took those classes and earned a higher GPA, no.</p>

<p>When we look at the uw GPA in admission stat, it already includes those taking tough classes and score lower GPA.</p>

<p>how about purdue lafayette?</p>

<p>Purdue has average GPA 3.66 and ACT 30 for admission. It is very similar to UIUC, perhaps a touch easier. It would be a likely low reach but a possible high match with 3.5/31 for engineering. Note that both schools have acceptance rate around 68%. So you do have a fair chance there considering your course load.</p>

<p>Try Penn State University Park</p>

<p>Billscho what engineering colleges would you recommend in the midwest area?</p>