She would be smart to narrow down her choices this spring/summer so she can plan a sophomore year that has as many classes as possible that will transfer into an engineering school. If her current school has 3+2, and she follows that curriculum it might help. Maybe she’s not transferring now because she’s still not certain she wants engineering? I wonder if the small LAC + engineering schools like Lafayette, Hope, Bucknell and LeHigh and maybe there are more that I’m not aware of… are more “generous” with transfer requirements for engineering majors? I know the big unis leave the engineering kids with barely enough time to get anything but the university required non-engineering classes and perhaps a class or two of interest in with the engineering curriculum if they want “out” in 4 or 4 1/2 years.
If she has completed the required classes to transfer, there is no point in staying an additional year. She might be able to graduate in 4 years (with some summer study).
If she still needs to take the required classes, she will have to stay another year. At that point, the 3+2 with UMASS is a good option.
For example, requirements to apply for admission to Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering as a transfer student are:
1 full year of calculus (equivalent to VT’s MATH 1205-1206 or 1225-1226)
1 semester of chemistry (CHEM 1035/1045) or 1 year of calculus-based Physics (PHYS 2305-2306)
1 full year of English composition (equivalent to VT’s ENGL 1105-1106)
overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
In addition, we recommend courses in the following areas:
Linear Algebra (MATH 1114 or 2114, depending on specific desired engineering major. See checksheet link below to determine the required course for your desired major)
Differential Equations (MATH 2214)
Multivariable Calculus (MATH 2224 or 2204)
1 year of calculus-based Physics (PHYS 2305-2306) or 1 semester of chemistry (CHEM 1035/1045) – whichever is not completed in requirement above
Engineering fundamentals courses (ENGE 1024 & 1114 or 1215-1216)
VTech is a transfer friendly school due to the agreements with the community colleges in the VA state system, and the price for OOS is a bit lower than UMASS or UVM. Similar story for NC State - and its location in Raleigh is a plus.