The Truth about UDel ChemE

<p>So it's been reported on CC that ChemE "prunes" the class after sophomore year and kicks people out of the major. </p>

<p>That would seem to make it a very competitive atmosphere and one not so conducive to collaboration and camaraderie. Imagine that you have a study group and only half of you are going to make it into the major. How enjoyable is that?</p>

<p>I've heard that they accept very few freshman into the major and expect people to choose General Engineering as a second choice and then get accepted into the major later. </p>

<p>Obviously, they are very strong in ChemE and may need to do this, but I think a potential student needs to understand the facts before taking on this risk. Personally, I'd rather my child choose a lower ranked school without this second level of competitive admissions. </p>

<p>Anyone know the real deal?</p>

<p>I think it might be of benefit to the student in the long run, actually. If he/she is not a strong enough student to do well, it would be better to switch after the sophomore year instead of ending up with a very low GPA and struggling to find work. Other schools probably accomplish the same goal by sprinkling weedout classes through the curriculum - that’s how it was when I was in school, at least.</p>

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<p>It might, but exactly who would you want to decide that. You or your school. At least with weedout classes, it’s still your choice and you come to a decision on your own. I can see study groups being more supportive in that context since everyone is allowed to succeed. </p>

<p>At MIT when I was there, they had too many people register in EECS and they were upfront about making the courses hard enough so that some people would switch on their own. It worked. At no time did they kick anyone out. There were people who graduated with low GPAs and did ok anyway.</p>

<p>Mainelonghorn,
What are you doing on this college forum. Nicevtovsee you hear. Hope all is well with your s. my d2 is going to udel this fall.</p>

<p>I contacted the department about this practice, and received an e-mail from Douglas Buttrey, who is the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He assured me that the reports of “pruning” are false, that they do not engage in such a practice, and have never during his 25 years on the faculty. As long as a student receives a C- or better in the required classes, they can move on to the next Chemical Engineering courses in the curriculum. If a student does not receive at least a C-, they have the option to repeat the course, and then move on from there if the minimum grade is achieved.</p>

<p>Not true at least in my kids experience. Currently a senior. It is a VERY difficult curriculum, many switch out on their own. Not many have high GPA’s, average about 2.8-3.0. If I recall, they had over 100 freshman ChemE Fall 2008, so they do admit freshman into it. How many are still in it, don’t know.</p>

<p>All good news, thank you all so much!</p>