How to Apply

FRESHMAN ADMISSION

The John and Marcia Price College of Engineering uses a direct admission model for its incoming freshman students, which means that direct admit students become part of the College right away. Admitting students directly to the College as freshmen will allow students to receive more directed advising and greater access to College-specific resources sooner in their academic careers. Additionally, some departments within the College give their direct admit students major status as freshmen, rather than waiting until sophomore or junior year.

In order to be considered for direct admission to the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, prospective freshmen must first apply to the University of Utah. Where the application asks for intended major, applicants should select their desired Engineering major. Depending on certain application criteria, students will either be given direct admission to the College or pre-engineering status. The difference between direct admission and pre-engineering status are described below.

For questions regarding direct admission and pre-engineering status, contact us at info@coe.utah.edu.

For general information for future U students, visit http://www.utah.edu/future-students/.

FRESHMAN DIRECT ADMISSION

Direct admission to the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering is competitive and requirements are designed to identify students who are already fully prepared for the rigors of engineering study. Factors for direct admission include math preparation (students should be able to take Calculus 1 or higher their first semester) and strong college prep curriculum (emphasis on math and science courses). Applicants will be offered direct admission, will be considered for Price College of Engineering merit scholarships, and will be eligible to apply to the Engineering Scholar Program if they meet any of the following three criteria:

• High School GPA of 3.6, Cumulative ACT of 26, and Math ACT of 28*
• High School GPA of 3.8, Cumulative ACT of 27, and Math ACT of 26*
• High School GPA of 3.8, AP Calculus A/B with a test score of 4 or higher
  • *(or equivalent SAT scores)

To accept direct admission, students need to confirm their intent to enroll at the University of Utah in the Price College of Engineering and pay the enrollment deposit by the May 1 deadline at admissions.utah.edu/deposit.

Once direct-admit students accept their admission to both the U and the Price College of Engineering, they will be accepted into their intended major. If a direct-admit student has not yet settled on a specific discipline, they can take the courses that are prescribed for most of the engineering majors while they explore the options. We strongly recommend that such students take ENGIN 1022, Survey of Engineering, to help them select a major.

FRESHMEN PRE-ENGINEERING ADMISSION

Students who do not meet the requirements for direct admission to the College will be admitted to the University as pre-engineering. Students accepted to the U as pre-engineering will receive a letter of admission from the University. In order to accept pre-engineering status, students will need to confirm their intent to enroll at the University of Utah in the Price College of Engineering and pay the enrollment deposit by the May 1 deadline at http://admissions.utah.edu/confirm/.

In order to register for first semester courses, students will need to attend an Orientation session. During Orientation, students will receive group advising to learn more about their desired major and discuss which classes they should take in the upcoming semester. Each department has its own requirements students must fulfill in order to be considered for major status. Over the course of their academic careers, students will need to set-up appointments with their academic advisor to ensure they are adequately progressing towards their desired major. Once a student has completed the pre-major requirements, they will apply for major status. The department will review the student’s record to determine if the student will be granted major status. We encourage students to work closely with their advisors so they can learn how to best set themselves up for acceptance into their desired major.

In order to be admitted to the Price College of Engineering, pre-engineering students must meet with the PCE academic advisor during their first semester at the U. The advisor will help students determine which courses they should take in order to prepare them for admission. Once the necessary courses are satisfactorily completed, students will be admitted to the College.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

For students transferring to the U from another institution of higher education:

If you have earned 30 or more semester credit hours after high school from a regionally-accredited college or university, you will apply to the U as a transfer student. Please note: transfer students are currently not eligible for direct admission to the Price College of Engineering.

If you have earned fewer than 30 semester credit hours, you will be considered under the College’s direct admission criteria for freshman students listed above. Your application to the U will include high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.

The most current University admission information and criteria for transfer students is available at http://admissions.utah.edu/apply/undergraduate/transfer/index.php.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students must meet the U’s application requirements and will be considered for direct admission to the College using the same criteria for freshmen and transfer students listed above. Visit the U’s Office of Admissions’ website for the most up to date information about international student applications: http://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/

Preparation

We encourage our prospective students to take as many math/science courses as possible. We advise that a student take math every year while in high school.

It is helpful, although not necessary, that incoming students are able to enroll into Calculus I or higher during their first semester of their academic careers. Many of our introductory engineering classes require Calculus as a pre- or co-requisite. As a result, those students who come in ready to enroll into their first Calculus course are able to move through their degrees the most efficiently. Students may place into Calculus I in a variety of ways, such as obtaining the appropriate AP scores, ACT/SAT scores, IB credit, transferring in prerequisites math courses, or taking the Accuplacer test. To discuss your math placement, please contact an academic advisor.

While becoming Calculus ready is helpful, there are many additional ways you can set up yourself for success as an Engineering student. Enroll in AP, IB, concurrent and honors courses if they exist in your school. Participate in science specific extracurricular activities like science fairs, Science Olympiad, math/engineering competitions, and engineering camps. Engage in extracurricular activities that develop your skill-set outside of math, science and engineering.

Well-rounded students thrive in an ever-changing global engineering community!