Frequently Asked Questions
Academics
Admissions
Costs and Financial Aid
General
Housing
Scholarships
Student Life
How is academic advising done?
- Freshman advising is done by the Engineering Advising Center and is conducted by faculty from engineering departments, professional advisors and assistance from peer advisors. Several other support offices also provide academic advising.
- Program advisors in each engineering department advise students after they declare a major.
Does Michigan accept advanced placement credits?
Advanced placement credit by AP, IB, or A-Level exams is accepted as well as credit for equivalent courses taken at accredited colleges and universities.
What is the availability of professors?
All professors hold regular office hours. Students agree that utilizing office hours really makes a difference. Most professors make themselves available by appointment outside of regular office hours as well.
What are the job placement opportunities for U of M students?
The College provides placement services for permanent and summer job employment. The Engineering Career Resource Center along with student and professional organizations, coordinate outstanding recruitment opportunities, web-based job announcements, job fairs, and other services to prepare students for the professional world.
The Career Center Annual Reports contains statistics about student employment.
Are there opportunities for International Studies?
Yes; there are several opportunities for international study. The International Programs in Engineering Office coordinates a variety of programs around the world. There is also a new International Minor for Engineers.
Do students need to know what area of engineering they will major in when they begin the freshman year?
How do students get information to help decide what major is right for them?
Faculty and staff advisors in the Engineering Advising Center are there to help with just that. Departments also offer information about themselves, available at their office or website. Engineering 110 Course: The Engineering Profession is tailored to giving students a brief encounter with a variety of engineering disciplines. Finally, the Engineering Advising Center conducts a program called Clearing the Fog: Choosing Your Engineering Major
What are national rankings for the College of Engineering?
The College is ranked by the US News and World Report rankings for undergraduate engineering programs.
Can an engineering student get a dual degree?
Yes, dual degrees can be earned within engineering or with other units at the University. In most cases it takes an additional one to three semesters. Degree Options are available to be reviewed.
Are minors available for engineering students?
Yes, there are nearly 80 Undergraduate Minors possible for engineering students; most are areas of study from departments in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.
What is the percentage of classes taught by graduate student instructors?
The likelihood is that students will have teaching assistants for the first two years in the discussion classes for physics, chemistry, and mathematics. All lectures are taught by faculty.
Engineering classes are taught primarily by faculty with approximately 10% of classes being taught by teaching assistants.
Does the College of Engineering have an Honors Program?
Yes, The Engineering Global Leadership (EGL) Honors Program. It combines undergraduate engineering curriculum with courses in the Ross School of Business and a "cultural core" in the College of Literature Science and the Arts. EGL leads to 2 degrees, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, in Engineering. More detail about the EGL Honors Program can be found at the Engineering Bulletin.
Does the College of Engineering have a cooperative education program?
Yes, more than 500 companies across the country participate. There are also International co-op opportunities available. Students with a 2.75 GPA or higher can apply at the end of the sophomore year. More Frequently Asked Questions about Coops are answered at the ECRC. There is more specific Job information at the Student Services website, and more Program information at the Engineering Bulletin.
What is the average course load?
The average course load is four courses per term (usually16 credit hours). Twelve credit hours are needed for enrollment in full time standing. A more detailed discussion of credit hours is available at the College Bulletin.
What are some of the innovative curricular programs and opportunities that are in development?
What are the graduation rates for the CoE?
According to the CoE Profile, the graduation rate after 6 years is 80%.
What about Biomedical Engineering?
In Fall 2001 we began offering Biomedical Engineering as an undergraduate degree program. We continue to offer this as a graduate degree as well. The Engineering Bulletin has information and you can find information on the Web at http://www.bme.umich.edu. The department also has an academic advisor for students who can answer your questions and help you design your future plans.What is EECS and how do the majors vary?
EECS stands for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. This is the department that grants the degree for Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Computer Science Engineering. The Computer Science degree program began in Fall 2001. The College of Literature, Science and the Arts also has a major in Computer Science. If you are unsure which major is best for you, you can do some deeper research at http://www.eecs.umich.edu/eecs/undergraduate/index.htmlIs it possible for me to graduate from U-M with a degree from both the College of Engineering and another U-M school or college?
Yes, it is possible to receive a joint degree in Engineering and another school or college, e.g., the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. You would be responsible for all degree requirements in both of these units. Certain criteria for joint degree candidates apply. Check your department on the Bulletin and/or meet with an academic advisor.Is a foreign language required for a degree in Engineering?
The College of Engineering does not require a foreign language, though knowledge of a second language is encouraged. For more information about requirements, see the Engineering Bulletin.Why should I complete my application by the Early Response deadline?
The primary goal ofimplementing an Early Response program is to give students a guaranteed decision date. For students who have Michigan as one of their top-choice schools, a decision of admit, defer, or deny before the end of December allows them to plan accordingly.
What is considered a completed application?
Freshmen wishing to be considered for the Early Response deadline must have all required application materials postmarked by November 1st. A completed application consists of:
- The application form
-
3 written response
questions (additional written response required for consideration for preferred
admission and dual programs)
High School transcript - Counselor recommendation
- Teacher recommendation (must be from a teacher in an academic subject – either English, math, science, social science, foreign language or computer programming)
- SAT or ACT w/writing test scores (must be sent directly from the testing agency – rush paper scores not accepted)
Why is Michigan adding an Early Response option to its Rolling Admissions process?
We’ve received feedback that students in previous years have been frustrated with our response time. In the spirit of trying to provide clarity in our admissions process, we have opened the option for all students who are able to postmark all application materials by November 1st to receive a decision before the end of December. Although we have an Early Response program, we will still be using a Rolling Admission practice for anyone who submits a completed application by February 1st.
Should I still apply early?
Yes! Completed applications will be reviewed prior to the Early Response deadline of November 1. Application review begins each year in late September and our first decisions are typically released in early November. All completed applications submitted after the Early Response deadline will be reviewed under a Rolling Admission practice. There is, however, no advantage for applying during our Early Response time frame other than receiving your decision by a specified date – we will not be awarding additional consideration in the review of an application simply because it was submitted for Early Response.
Should I run into my High School Counselor’s office on the first day of classes to have them send my transcript so that it arrives before the Early Response deadline?
No – follow their guidelines for when they would like a transcript request. As long as the transcript is postmarked by November 1st, it will be considered for the Early Response deadline. There is no value added by camping out in front of your counselor’s office on the first day of classes in August or September – they still have to write a letter of recommendation for you, so PLEASE respect the other responsibilities that they have.
How do I get my application decision to be released in the “first round” of decisions?
We will begin releasing admissions decisions in early November; however, there is no way to guarantee that your application will have a decision by this time. As we have done in previous years, we will continue to review applications as soon as they are completed. Because of our individualized, holistic, and comprehensive review process, each application takes a significant amount of time to review; early in our application season, however, we see a smaller application volume which is why we are able to release some decisions in early November.
Is the Early Response deadline a received by or postmarked date?
The Early Response deadline of November 1st is a postmarked date.
When will decisions be released?
Students for whom all required materials are received by November 1st will have a decision release date of no later than December 24th.
How soon will I get a decision if I don’t apply by the Early Response deadline?
If you are unable to complete your application by the Early Response deadline of November 1, our equal consideration deadline is February 1. Decisions will continue to be released on a rolling basis from November through April, so we still encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
If I apply for Early Response and I am admitted, am I required to come to Michigan?
No. The Early Response decision is non-binding; you are still permitted to apply to and enroll at another school if you so choose.
Can I apply to other Early Action/Early Decision/Early Response schools along with Michigan?
Yes. Because our decision is non-binding, you are still permitted to apply to other schools that use an early admissions program such as Early Action or Early Decision.
Will an application for Early Response be reviewed differently than an application submitted for Rolling Admission?
No. All applications are reviewed using the same guidelines – we will not be awarding additional consideration in the review of an application simply because it was completed in time for Early Response. However as our application volume continues to increase, the process may become more competitive as the application review season progresses. Check out our admissions process page for more information regarding how applications are reviewed. The Enrollment Deposit of $200 (nonrefundable) is due on May 1.
How will I know if my application is complete?
Students should regularly check their application status on Wolverine Access. Before accessing the application status page, students will need to create a “friend account.” Please note that it takes a minimum of 10 business days before your application status appears online once the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received your application.
Which address will my decision be sent to?
We will send your admissions decision to the address you provided in your application. If you need to update your address, you’ll need to update your personal information in Wolverine Access. Please note that it takes a minimum of 10 business days before your application status appears online once the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received your application.
If I plan to take the ACT or SAT in October, will that score arrive in time to complete my application for Early Response?
If you have taken the ACT or SAT previously and are taking the test again in October, you must send in your previous scores to complete your application. Once your new test scores from the October exam are received, we will add that information to your application and consider that in the review process. On the day of the test you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Michigan so that we receive them as soon as the score is available. If you are taking the ACT or SAT for the first time in October and still wish to be considered for the Early Response deadline, you must complete the rest of your application by November 1st and we will begin the review of your application once your ACT or SAT test scores have arrived. On the day of the test you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Michigan so that we receive them as soon as the score is available.
How was my application reviewed?
Each application submitted receives multiple comprehensive, holistic, and individualized reviews by at least 2 admissions staff members who have gone through an extensive application review training process. A full overview of exactly how applications are reviewed, which factors we look at in making decisions, and the rating sheet that is filled out for each read of your application is available online at our Admissions Process website.
What is a prerequisite?
A prerequisite is a required course that must be completed prior to a student's enrollment in the College of Engineering. Such courses are required because the successful completion of specific courses in your engineering curriculum at U-M will assume prior knowledge of the prerequisites course material.After I've submitted all application materials, when can I expect to hear whether or not I've been admitted?
Completed applications are reviewed in the order received. It normally takes a minimum of six to eight weeks to receive a letter from your admissions counselor notifying you of an admissions decision. International applications may take considerably longer to review. You can check on the status of your application and admissions decision in Wolverine Access.How do I apply for financial aid?
Get the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. Specific deadlines are in place. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 2011 Student Activities Building: Call (734) 763-6600 or see your current advisor. Please note: financial aid is not available to international students.What about Biomedical Engineering?
In Fall 2001 we began offering Biomedical Engineering as an undergraduate degree program. We continue to offer this as a graduate degree as well. The Engineering Bulletin has information and you can find information on the Web at http://www.bme.umich.edu. The department also has an academic advisor for students who can answer your questions and help you design your future plans.What is EECS and how do the majors vary?
EECS stands for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. This is the department that grants the degree for Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Computer Science Engineering. The Computer Science degree program began in Fall 2001. The College of Literature, Science and the Arts also has a major in Computer Science. If you are unsure which major is best for you, you can do some deeper research at http://www.eecs.umich.edu/eecs/undergraduate/index.htmlWhen will I find out if I’m off of the waitlist and have been admitted?
If we have room in our freshman class to admit students from the waitlist, we will admit from those applicants who indicated they wanted to be on our extended waitlist as space becomes available. All students who have accepted our waitlist offer will receive an additional letter by late June which specifies whether space remains in our class.
Now that I am on the waitlist, what should I do now? Will it help to write, call, or visit U-M?
We highly recommend accepting our waitlist offer by the deadline of May 15; the most convenient way to do this is online via Wolverine Access. There have been many students in past years who have not accepted our waitlist offer; in some years we have gone to our waitlist and these students may have been admitted. If we decide to admit from our waitlist and you have not accepted your waitlist offer, we cannot admit you.
Other than accepting the waitlist offer, there is nothing further you should do at this time. If you have any new and compelling information that was not included with your application materials, you are welcome to send it to us and we will add it to your application. We may use this information in a further review of your file if we decide to admit students from our waitlist.
If you have questions regarding your admissions decision, you are welcome to contact us. As we do not use interviews as part of our evaluation process, a visit or phone call to our office will not influence our decision.
I am on the waitlist, but I think you’ve made the wrong decision. Can I appeal?
In order to appeal, you must have new and compelling information that was not included with your application. Appeals must be submitted in written form, will only be considered if they are from the applicant, and must be supported by appropriate documentation from outside sources. All documentation should be mailed with the letter of appeal to the address listed below. Any appeal not following these guidelines will not be considered. You can expect to receive a response to the appeal within three to six weeks after the Office of Undergraduate Admissions receives the required information.
The appeal and supporting documents should be sent to the following address:
University of
Michigan
Admissions Review Committee
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1220 Student Activities Building
515 E. Jefferson St.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1316
How do I apply to the College of Engineering?
Freshman students are admitted to the College of Engineering by the University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions.I am not sure if I want to be an Engineer - do I need to apply to the College of Engineering?
If you're interested in exploring and applying technology, engineering may be the right field for you.How do I apply for scholarships?
Admitted students are automatically considered for University and College of Engineering scholarships; no application is necessary. The primary criteria for scholarships are academic profile. Please note: College of Engineering scholarships are not available to international students.What does being on the waitlist mean?
If you’ve been waitlisted and have questions about what this means, you’ve come to the right place. We realize this is a difficult decision, and we want to assure you that this decision was difficult for us to make as well. If you have any additional questions beyond the FAQ’s provided here, we invite you to visit our Ask Us! knowledge base or contact us here.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Get FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form from high school counselor or online. Specific deadlines are in place. You should also submit the college Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile. In both cases, the University's Financial Aid website provides more information. You can also contact the Office of Financial Aid at 2011 Student Activities Building; (734) 763-6600
How do I apply for merit based scholarships?
Admitted students are automatically considered for University and Engineering scholarships; no application necessary. Merit scholarship notification is done by the end of March for most awards. Continuing students can apply for scholarships with the Scholarship Office, located at 143 Chrysler Center, Phone: (734) 647-7113.
What are national rankings for the College of Engineering?
The College is ranked by the US News and World Report rankings for undergraduate engineering programs.
Will I be able to live on campus?
There is no guaranteed housing for transfer students. There is on-campus housing on Central Campus and on North Campus. Please visit the U-M housing page for more information.On-campus housing is guaranteed for freshman students.What is campus housing like and how do I get assigned to a residence hall?
There are 17 residence halls on campus; a new residence hall is under construction. Housing is guaranteed for all entering freshman, with a lottery for continuing students. You can eat at any residence hall, and choose from a variety of meal plans. Michigan Learning Communities provide immense intellectual resources in a small college environment. Housing information is mailed in March to students who have paid enrollment deposits, and additional information can be found at the Housing website.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Get the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. Specific deadlines are in place. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 2011 Student Activities Building: Call (734) 763-6600 or see your current advisor. Please note: financial aid is not available to international students.How do I apply for scholarships?
Admitted students are automatically considered for University and College of Engineering scholarships; no application is necessary. The primary criteria for scholarships are academic profile. Please note: College of Engineering scholarships are not available to international students.Can freshmen have cars on campus? What are common modes of transportation?
Freshman can have cars, but this is discouraged due to the difficulty in parking and the added responsibility. The transportation system on campus and in and around Ann Arbor is very convenient and free for students. This includes the on-campus bus and the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.What computer facilities are available for students?
CAEN provides access to hundreds of computers throughout campus in various computer labs (CAEN). These labs are available to the College of Engineering students 24 hours a day. Each CAEN computer offers hundreds of software applications for student research and course work, including an extensive selection of engineering, multimedia, and software development programs.
There are also ITCS computer labs (ITCS) all over campus. These labs can especially be found on Central Campus and are the ones in Residence Halls (see ResComp sites).
Also, wireless and wired network access is available throughout campus for personal laptops.
A more detailed introduction to computing at the College of Engineering is available at: http://www.engin.umich.edu/caen/intro/students/
What is the distance between North Campus and Central Campus? Does this pose an inconvenience for Engineering students?
It's less than ½ mile between North and Central Campuses, and Michigan buses run run between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m.; every 10 to 15 minutes apart. At night, shuttles run between libraries and residence halls. If you're worried about getting to class on time, most Central Campus classes start on the hour, whereas on North Campus they begin on the half-hour. This gives 30 minutes to get between classes, not counting Michigan Time (Classes start 10 minutes late), which is more than enough to get between campuses. Additionally, most Freshmen and Sophomore classes are taken on Central Campus while most Junior and Senior classes are taken on North Campus. Both Campuses complement each other with most resources available on both.
What academic and student support services are available to students?
College of Engineering Resources
- Engineering Advising Center (EAC)
- Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC)
- Engineering Scholarship Office
- Multicultural Engineering Programs Office (MEPO)
- Recruitment and Admissions Office
- Wilson Student Team Project Center
- Women in Engineering (WiE)
University of Michigan Resources
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- First Year Experience Programs
- Tutorial and Resource Centers
What opportunities for co-curricular activities are there on campus and are engineering students involved in organizations, team projects, etc.?
There are more than 90 student organizations in the CoE alone, such as the project oriented teams of the Solar Car, Future Car, Concrete Canoe, Human Powered Helicopter and others. Also, a significant percentage of the Marching Band consists of engineers. Over 1,000 organizations University-wide, including these clubs for students. As far as sports go, there are 25 intercollegiate teams, in addition to 43 intramural and 35 club sports.
In addition to recreation, co-curricular activities provide excellent leadership opportunities.

