sounds crazy, ...but?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
1

<p>My son just finished his first year in C.S. Engineering. He scored a 31 on the ACT and was top 10%, good ec's, etc. </p>

<p>My second son will be applying this fall. So far, his ACT is 28 but he will be taking it again on Saturday. He is probably top 15 % with honors, AP courses and unbelievable ec's. One thing he has expressed an interest in is Mechanical Engineering but I think that is much too much of a stretch with his numbers. My eldest son disagrees and says he would have an easier time getting into Engineering than the flood of kids who apply to LAS. He listed three kids on his floor alone that got into Engineering with 26 - 29 ACT's and his intended roommate was rejected from LAS with a 29 ACT. He says that because fewer kids apply and many of them are at the upper ends, Engineering can take more of those that fall somewhat below. </p>

<p>Of course, these are but a few examples. Could there be any logic to this?</p>

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<p>I think engineering looks at math scores more closely than the composite. FWIW, I'd recommend his taking the SAT as well. Some techies do much better on it (and some don't).</p>

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<p>When my first son was applying, we had a meeting with the assistant dean and asked that question. My son had a higher math composite on his 30 ACT score but he told us that they only look at the composite and to send the 31.</p>