Transfer to UVA from William and Mary? (Engineering)

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm about half way through my first semester at William and Mary as a Freshman and I'm wondering if I should transfer. Coming in, I had my heart set on pursuing a Physics major, but as I spent more time around my professors and witnessed their research, I'm thinking that that might not be what I want to do with my life. I had previously spent time at an engineering-based research lab and now recognize that engineering (which type, I'm not sure yet) is most likely a better fit for me.</p>

<p>William and Mary does not have an engineering major. I have heard that it is possible to be accepted into engineering schools with an undergraduate physics degree, but I have also heard that you have to take multiple semesters of remedial classes, as well as ending up less competitive than those who have engineering degrees. I am now wondering if I should apply to the engineering schools of Virginia Tech and University of Virginia.</p>

<p>1) Is there good enough reason to transfer? I like William and Mary well enough and have my foot in the door in regard to research. However, I'd want to do what is smartest for me in the future.</p>

<p>2) Would I have a chance of being accepted into these programs?</p>

<p>Background: Came from a math/science magnet school with a GPA of 4.31 (Weighted) and an SAT score of 2080 (should I retake the SAT?). I never took the ACT. I am taking 16 credits this semester at William and Mary and am doing well in all of my classes. I am currently a nuclear physics undergraduate research assistant.</p>

<p>UVA requires
8 credits of Calculus
4 credits of Chemistry
4 credits of Physics
one 3-credit course in Computer Science</p>

<p>By the end of this first semester, I will have completed the Calculus and Physics requirements. I would then complete the Chemistry and Computer Science requirements second semester. The deadline for application is March 1st.</p>

<p>VTech requires
1 full year of calculus
1 semester of chemistry or 1 year of calculus-based Physics
1 full year of English composition
overall GPA of 3.0 or higher</p>

<p>Application deadline: February 15th. I would complete the requirements during second semester.</p>

<p>Would I have to wait another year before applying?</p>

2

<p>You don’t have to wait another year to apply. You can apply while fulfilling the requirements during your second semester. It looks like you are doing well at w&m as well as involved in research. This is a real toss up but I guess it doesn’t hurt to apply to leave your options open. You should probably post this question in the engineering forum to get better advice. </p>

<p>I’m also an engineering major thinking about applying to tech and uva. Honestly, I think you have a great chance at both schools. W&M is known for grade deflation so doing well in a competitive environment really helps you. Adding research experience + great hs stats on top of that makes you a really strong applicant. I was also told that retaking tests at this point is pointless unless scores are really low so don’t fret about that.</p>

<p>One thing to note is that both engineering schools are slightly different. I heard tech is more technical lol but uva is more broad/liberal arts influenced. Good luck!</p>