<p>I am considering transferring to UVa's School of Engineering. However, I am concerned that in doing so I will take more than four years to graduate as a result of transfer credit policies and the engineering course schedule (e.g. a biomedical engineering course that is only offered at a certain time and cannot be taken concurrently with another, more advanced course). I would love to go to this school, but I don't like the idea of having to be a year behind in my engineering curriculum. It would be comforting to learn that the process of working with transfer students to graduate in four years is a holistic one. Is there anyone that has successfully matriculated to the School of Engineering that can provide some insight?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Sinuzoid</p>
<p>I “successfully” matriculated as an incoming second-year transfer (search my post history for more details on this), i.e. I entered and finished on-time with some room to spare. What I suggest is carefully looking at the graduation requirements (found on the SEAS/dept websites) and looking at what you’ve already filled and what holes you have. I had a gap in the STS intro class (tested out with AP at previous school but didn’t at UVa) but had an extra two classes that counted as a technical and unrestricted elective. The undergrad office is extremely helpful with this if you have any questions. If you’re short a few classes but have classes later down the line taken care of, you should be okay. Even if you’re behind on a couple of classes, you should be okay. If you’re missing significant classes (i.e. two math classes, a science class, an engineering class…) you might want to think carefully about the transfer. There’s always the option to take summer or J-term classes (I did both to allow me to take electives towards a minor and it worked out fine).
As for working yourself into the BME program, I think they only have one or two “specialized” classes their first year and not anything you couldn’t take fall or spring semester of second year. I had to take the science elective spring of second year (it’s typically a spring first-year class) and there were other second years in the class and, quite frankly, didn’t matter anyways. I found it actually useful taking it second year, and I got help from friends who had taken it the year before </p>
<p>Do you have any specific questions that I could try to help you with? Also, where are you coming from and what school/program are you currently enrolled in?</p>