W&M and their Combined Degree Engineering Program

<p>I'm curious if anyone here is partaking in the 5 or 6 year program for Engineering at William and Mary and then eventually Columbia or RPI. At the moment, I have no idea what I want to study or major in (will be an incoming freshman) and so I'm going to use my first year to experiment and take classes that could spark an interest for me. </p>

<p>I have an interest in Engineering, but obviously it's not offered formally here. My question to those who are doing this type of combined degree is how is the work load compared to others you know who are only earning one degree and how do you go about taking part in the program?</p>

<p>I want to know if I should take some of the pre-requisite classes my first year so that, if I so choose, I may be able to complete this program. Thanks for any help!</p>

<p>This has come up before… and I believe the consensus that was reached among the students that post here is that no one knows anyone who has done this program. And there was a general consensus that you wouldn’t want to leave W&M after 2 or 3 years to go to a different school, away from all your friends. It’s basically like transferring.</p>

<p>If you are serious about being an engineer, there is only one real choice in Virginia, everything else is a compromise. I don’t think anyone who goes to W&M goes into the school with an interest in engineering and then becomes decided on engineering while there. If for some reason you do, transfer to Virginia Tech.</p>

<p>I actually do know one person who is doing the program. According to this: [William</a> & Mary - Pre-Professional Program Advisors](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/advising/preprofessional/preprofcontacts/index.php]William”>http://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/advising/preprofessional/preprofcontacts/index.php) </p>

<p>the pre-engineering program advisor is Prof. Todd Averett. I suggest that you contact him with any questions you may have, as he will likely be of much greater help than anyone here concerning this topic.</p>

<p>However, I can tell you that the workload for pre-engineers is pretty tough. I believe what you do is you complete a bachelor’s in physics in three years and then if you meet certain GPA requirements you’re guaranteed admission to the schools that WM has agreements with and then you get a masters degree in engineering from Columbia or RPI, and I believe they also have an agreement with Washington Uni in St. Louis.</p>

<p>I’m not positive that’s how it is, but that’s how I think it is. You should also take into consideration, if you’re an in-state student, the huge increase in tuition you’ll see when you go to Columbia, RPI, or WUSTL. But anyways, if you’re interested, you should definitely contact Prof Averett.</p>