If the thought of designing bridges, developing cutting-edge technologies, or creating innovative solutions to real-world problems gets your heart racing, you're on the right path to pursuing an undergraduate engineering degree. But with the competitive nature of engineering programs, it's essential to navigate your journey with purpose and strategy. And look, you’re also probably interested in the top programs out there, like Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, Duke, and Georgia Tech, which means you’ll need not just amazing grades and scores, but a slate of impressive extracurriculars that show your dedication to engineering. Here's your guide on how to prepare for the exciting world of engineering:
Discover Your Passion
Engineering is a vast field with numerous specializations, from civil engineering to aerospace to biomedical, and everything in between. Seriously, when we googled “types of engineering,” two dozen things popped up.
The first step is to explore these different areas. Start by reading lots of books and taking online courses (we recommend Coursera!) to dig a little deeper. With each new class or book, write down what interests you and find more books and classes that zero in on what will be your thing. Engineering is broad, civil engineering is middle, but construction engineering gives you a starting point to build an even deeper niche.
Figure out your niche
You’ve narrowed it down to “construction engineering” (in our example, feel free to replace this with whatever you like, obvi), but what’s next? In terms of college admissions, that’s still pretty broad. Do you want to own a construction company? Care about sustainable builds? Nuts about the history of highways and bridges in the US and regard Dwight D. Eisenhower as your personal hero? Then dive into them! In addition to your engineering base, look at books and classes within business, environmental science, and history, of course focused on your end goals.
Good Grades and Scores
It should not be a surprise that you need good grades and scores to get into college, especially for such a competitive field. Building a strong academic foundation is crucial. Schools like to see you getting the highest grades possible in the hardest classes your school offers, so seek out AP, IB, or honors courses. You’ll also need stellar scores on the SAT or ACT, like 1550+ and 34+, respectively, so start whippin’ out those test prep books and the Khan Academy videos.
In-school Extracurriculars
Engineering programs are not just about grades and test scores. Yes, we just mentioned needing those, but they want to see more than that from you! They want to see that you're not only academically capable, but also passionate about what you want to do. Join engineering clubs, robotics teams, or coding clubs at your school. If they don't exist, start one, or just start a niche one in addition to the clubs the school has. Heck, even a Lego building club could work here. You can also look at science or engineering competitions, like the Science Olympiad or the FIRST Robotics Competition, can help your application.
Internships
One of the best ways to demonstrate your commitment to engineering is by gaining real-world experience. Seek out internships or part-time jobs related to engineering, even if they are unpaid. These experiences will not only provide insight into the industry, but will also help your apps. Whether it's working with a local engineering firm, working construction, or being a City Hall intern in the City Planning office, any hands-on experience in your niche can help.
Research + Independent Projects
The flashiest thing you can have on your application is collegiate-level research with a professor. Now that you know your niche, start reaching out to professors at local universities or colleges who are conducting research in your chosen field. Pitch yourself as their research assistant! In addition to research, schools like to see initiative, so start brainstorming your own independent project. Maybe you’ve come up with a biomedical device idea, completely restored an old car engine, built a new type of machine, you name it – those things can all be projects!
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all formula for getting into an undergraduate engineering program. What matters most is your dedication, curiosity, and the way you align your experiences with your niche.
If you need guidance in discovering your engineering niche or have questions about the application process, feel free to reach out for assistance.