Hollis Bischoff College Admissions Advisor UCLA Certified Member: NACAC, HECA, IECA – Associate Member Applying While Under The Influence of Engineering

Engineering Tough & Very Competitive “if you take two students who have the same high school grade-point average and SAT scores, and you put one in a highly selective school like Berkeley and the other in a school with lower average scores like Cal State, that Berkeley student is at least 13 percent less likely than the one at Cal State to finish a STEM degree.” Mitchell J. Chang, an education professor at U.C.L.A Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC 40% of all engineering majors switch majors or fail to graduate

Why Do Eng. Majors Leave? ExpectationsDeterrents Not Fun Strong Competition Harder WorkUnder Prepared Less course choice Dry Abstract Topics Grade Deflation Copyright 2012– Strategies 4 Admission, LLC Cost Parental & Peer Pressure Passionless Time to Graduate Engineering has twice the attrition rate of all other majors

Trying To Reverse Brain Drain Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC Freshman PracticumBetter Preparation Internship or Co-OpLiberal Arts Engagement Universities are making slow progress towards these goals – requires a sea change in teaching staff and departmental objectives

Therefore, Good Fit Is Important Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC Engineering Application ExtracurricularApplication/Essay(s)Transcript/Testing Making sure recognize and admit the “natural” engineer – imbedded in the DNA (and not the parent’s) See:

Transcript Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC Most competitive schools – AP classes in multiple subject are table stakes, for engineers Calc and sciences are even in less competitive schools Math (4 yrs.) Highest level math Calc BC Science (4 yrs.) Physics (AP) Lab Science (AP) Humanities English & Foreign Lang. Social Sciences Arts

Testing ACT + Writing (SAT Subject Tests) SAT SAT Subject Tests: Math II Science Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC SAT Subject Tests for UC Engineering Students even though not required for UC admissions; highly selective schools may require 3 SAT II tests

Application/Essay(s) UC App Main Essay Demonstrate eng. DNA Common App No Supplement Why major Other information Common App With Eng. Supplement May need alt. app Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC There must be a “why engineering” essay somewhere in the application

Extracurricular Activities Passion Dedication Leadership Lopsided Service Music & Arts Sports Clubs Work Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC

Other Considerations Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC Engineering majors need to be aware of extreme competition – love thy safety Odds & Ends Less “safeties” than any other major Look outside California for options Higher GPA/Test scores than averages 5 years to graduation (budget accordingly) Physics or Chemistry (parallel majors)

Questions? Thank you! Hollis Bischoff College Admissions Advisor UCLA Certified Member: NACAC, HECA, IECA – Associate Member Copyright 2012 – Strategies 4 Admission, LLC