Is it better to apply engineering if it fits your application?

<p>I've heard from a few friends at UMich that Engineering is (in general) harder to get into than LSA (I've also read here that Engineering cares more about test scores).</p>

<p>Yet I'm curious as to whether this would hold true in my case.</p>

<p>Basically I have a ~3.5 cumulative GPA (upward trend, 10th/11th/12th grade is ~3.7/~3.8/~3.9), have a course-load full of (AP) science classes and two 800 science SATIIs (2300 SATI). At all the schools I've applied to so far, I've applied engineering, and my 'why engineering' essay(s) are IMO quite good and connect to my ECs and work experience.</p>

<p>If I applied LSA, I would write about Computer Science, but I while I feel I could write a convincing essay (I'm pretty into it) it doesn't have the same depth of connections to the rest of my application.</p>

<p>If I wanted to maximize my chances, which do you think would be better to apply to?</p>

<p>More stats here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-san-diego/1434251-help-chance-me-help-reconsider-few-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-san-diego/1434251-help-chance-me-help-reconsider-few-schools.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>FYI I’m OOS</p>

<p>(sorry for the triple-post, but can’t seem to edit my old ones)</p>

<p>My senior year grades are straight As in every class [including AP Physics C:EM/M, AP Calc BC and Advanced Functions (highest level math class available)] except for AP Lit and German (A-s). Last year I finished with an A in AP Bio and Calculus and an A- in AP Chem (though I got 800 on the subject test).</p>

<p>Sorry for the laundry list, just thought math and science classes might be pretty relevant.</p>

<p>EDIT:</p>

<p>I just saw that CoE’s acceptance rate is ~50%, yet their average accepted stats are something like 3.8 UW GPA and 2100+ SAT… I’m not quite sure what to make of it…</p>

<p>Is it just because it’s so self-selecting? After reading the chance/decision threads on here I was expecting something like <20%. Not that it affects my desire to go to UMich (I’d love to), just curious.</p>

<p>The CoE acceptance rate that you mentioned is several years old. The acceptance rate has historically been around the same as the university as a whole, so a low 30’s for this year is probably expected. </p>

<p>Anyways, I would just recommend applying to engineering. That’s where you obviously want to be, and your stats are definitely geared towards it.</p>

<p>Yeah its kinda in part to self selection</p>

<p>A 3.5 gpa could hurt your chances, but you might want to look into how UM recalculates your GPA. They drop your freshman year grades and many classes don’t count (Art, Foreign Language, etc.) and if your school gives higher grades for AP and Honors classes UM lowers your GPA by that amount. I had a 3.7 GPA in high school but UM recalculated it to over a 3.9. One of my friends had a 3.9 but she got recalculated to a 3.1 because she had A’s in art classes and lower grades in math/science classes.</p>

<p>It is much easier to transfer from Engineering -> LSA than the other way though.</p>

<p>I just submitted my application - is this going to make a considerable difference in my chances?</p>

<p>I submitted it so late because I was waiting for my semester grades (which turned out great - all As, including in AP Calc BC, AP Physics C, and my school’s most advanced math course – probably the most important classes for engineering).</p>

<p>Honestly, if I had read that submitting later in rolling can hurt your chances before today I would have submitted it January 1st… damn…</p>

<p>“A 3.5 gpa could hurt your chances, but you might want to look into how UM recalculates your GPA. They drop your freshman year grades and many classes don’t count (Art, Foreign Language, etc.) and if your school gives higher grades for AP and Honors classes UM lowers your GPA by that amount. I had a 3.7 GPA in high school but UM recalculated it to over a 3.9. One of my friends had a 3.9 but she got recalculated to a 3.1 because she had A’s in art classes and lower grades in math/science classes.”</p>

<p>Just tried recalculating it - dropping language/art puts me at a 3.7 UW (w/o 1st sem. 12th grade it’s a 3.6something).</p>

<p>The improving trend is less evident when you drop all those classes, but it’s still kind of visible. Here’s to hoping they value senior year grades highly.</p>

<p>Just dug out admit stats for CoE’s UG admission last year: </p>

<p>[Facts</a> + Figures | Michigan Engineering](<a href=“http://www.engin.umich.edu/about/facts.html]Facts”>http://www.engin.umich.edu/about/facts.html)</p>

<p>36% admit rate
3.9 GPA
32 ACT
1410 (M+V) SAT </p>

<p>And … I just realized that my UG GPA is lower than the average UG GPA for grad admissions… crap…</p>