As mathematical ability is essential to your success during engineering school, you are required to have completed four years of math course in high school. Engineering programs generally require you to complete at least three years of math courses. Depending on your program, you may be required to complete an entire year of calculus, or other "high level" math courses, such as trigonometry or analysis. You application will be strengthened if you took and successfully passed a relevant advanced-placement exam, such as AP Calculus. Additionally, your application is strengthened if you have more than the minimum number of "high level" math courses completed.
Besides math courses, which are essential to engineering programs, you are required to have a minimum number of other courses completed to apply. Although requirements vary depending on your high school's state, you are generally required to complete English, foreign language, science, social studies, algebra, geometry, physics, biology, and chemistry. However, check your prospective college's requirements for specific courses and number of years required. For example, Purdue University requires four semesters of algebra.
The vast majority of engineering schools require you to complete the SAT-1 or the ACT exam for admission. Berkeley freshmen are required to take the ACT assessment plus writing, or take the SAT reasoning test. Additionally, students are required to take two SAT subject-area tests. Engineering applicants are encouraged to take the SAT subject test in Math Level 2, and a test in a science, such as biology, chemistry or physics.
Whether you are applying to engineering school or any other program, colleges use a variety of methods to select their incoming classes. They consider your class rank, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and GPA. In terms of your grade-point average, colleges consider your performance overall, in your college preparatory subjects, and in courses related to your degree. Programs also consider your reference letters.