Engineering colleges offer direct admission to a limited number of incoming freshmen each year. These students may enroll in engineering courses during their first semester of undergraduate studies. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional grade point averages and test scores. For example, Michigan State University requires direct admission applicants to have maintained a 3.0 grade point average throughout high school, earning a grade of B or better in all science courses. Admissions committees seek students who have taken advanced high school courses in calculus, physics and biology.
Undergraduate transfer students seeking direct admission to an engineering college must apply during the semester or quarter prior to transferring. Most engineering colleges on a semester schedule do not provide this option for students transferring in the spring unless space becomes available. Colleges on a quarter schedule, such as the University of Washington College of Engineering, may accept spring transfer students. Transfer students must have completed a series of prerequisite courses specific to their chosen engineering discipline at their previous institutions. Prerequisites may include one or two semesters of a calculus, physics or introduction to engineering course. Students must also demonstrate superior grade point averages in prior college courses.
Engineering colleges may accept graduates of baccalaureate degree programs in engineering and similar fields to master's degree programs via direct admission. A student seeking a master's degree at the same institution as she earned her bachelor's degree may be eligible for direct admission based upon prior research, courses and grade point average. Master's degree programs generally require that an applicant earn at least 1,100 on the graduate record examination quantitative and verbal sections, submit a career goals statement and hold a bachelor's degree with a B+ grade average. Admissions committees also seek students who have completed engineering internships.
Engineering students may be eligible for direct admission to a doctoral program based upon undergraduate coursework, research and internships. These students may begin doctoral coursework without meeting the prerequisite of a master's degree. Students must perform at higher levels than accepted master's students in terms of grades and standardized tests. For example, the University of Florida Department of Engineering requires a 3.3 grade point average and a score of 1,200 on the graduate record examination for doctoral students whereas the school admits master's students with a 3.0 grade point average and an exam score of 1,100.