Frequently Asked Questions

You've got questions, and we've got answers! Below is a list of their most frequently-asked questions related to Purdue Engineering. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us for help!

How do I apply to Purdue Engineering?

We're so exited that you want to apply! We've put together a page dedicated to this very topic. Check out their Applying to Purdue Engineering page for all the details.

What does it take to have a competitive application for Purdue Engineering?

This is obviously our most frequently-asked question, and it's a good one! The challenge is that there is no one, perfect answer to this question, as there are a variety of factors at play in the admission process that are both inside and outside your control.

Here is what they recommend for putting your best foot forward when applying to Purdue Engineering:

When you apply is an extremely important part of the application process. To maximize consideration of your application, you will need to apply by Purdue's Early Action Deadline of November 1. November 1 is also the priority deadline for First-Year Engineering (listed as "Engineering (First-Year)" on the Common App), meaning that the highest likelihood for admission is for those who apply by the priority deadline.

Get good grades and challenge yourself in your coursework! Make sure you are on track to meet or exceed Purdue's Freshman Admission Criteria.

Get involved in clubs, organizations, and activities you are passionate about! It helps build time management skills, provides you with great opportunities and experiences, and allows you to blow off steam and get away from academics every now and then.

If you want to be a Purdue Engineer, don't be afraid to apply! And when you do, be sure to tell us everything about why you want to be here and what makes you a great candidate for their programs. Your college application is one of the few times in your life that it is perfectly acceptable to brag about yourself and your accomplishments!

Reach out to the Office of Admissions for any specific questions you have about the application and admission process, including any special circumstances. They are the ones that review all applications to Purdue's undergraduate programs and make admission decisions. Visit their Admissions website, call them at (765) 494-1776, or email them at admissions@purdue.edu.

What is the acceptance rate for Purdue Engineering?

The acceptance rate for new-beginner First-Year Engineering students for Fall 2022 was approximately 37%. The average acceptance rate over the last 5 years was approximately 47%.

What are average grades and test scores of students admitted to Purdue Engineering?

Here is the academic profile for students admitted to their First-Year Engineering program in Fall 2022: 

Grades and test scores are only a part of the equation when the Office of Admissions is reviewing applications. Other admissions considerations include academic trends and achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal essays, among other factors.

All beginning Purdue West Lafayette undergraduate students complete a core first-year curriculum through the First-Year Engineering Program before transitioning to their engineering major in their sophomore year. This allows students time to explore engineering careers, start to learn engineering design, and get strong foundations in math, science, English, and computer skills. .

For more details about First-Year Engineering, check out the "What is First-Year Engineering" topic further down, as well as their Applying to Purdue Engineering page.

Students applying to engineering at Purdue University in Indianapolis, an extension of Purdue University West Lafayette, are directly admitted to their major. Those students will follow a core first year curriculum similar to that of their First-Year Engineering students in West Lafayette. 

Are there any engineering programs or summer camps I can attend?

There are several camps and programs offered across Purdue's campus. Their Women in Engineering Program and Minority Engineering Program both offer a variety of camps and experiential programs for all age groups that are open to all students of all backgrounds. There are also several engineering courses available through Purdue's Summer College for High School Students program. For other campus-wide outreach programs and campus, visit Purdue's Summer Camps page.

What's the difference between an engineering degree and an engineering technology degree?

Engineering and engineering technology represent different depths and scopes within the overall field of engineering.

The short version: Engineering degrees provide students with all of the math, science, and theory behind the concepts and principles they are learning about in order to be able to create new things and solve complex challenges, whereas engineering technology degrees focus less on the math and science and more on existing products and technologies to prepare students to innovate within existing systems.

At Purdue, all engineering degrees are housed in the College of Engineering, and all engineering technology degrees are housed in the Polytechnic Institute (formerly called the College of Technology). All of their engineering and engineering technology degrees are accredited by the same organization, ABET, but to differing sets of guidelines. Both the College of Engineering and the Polytechnic Institute offer excellent degrees, strong job placement, and high starting salaries, which can make the decision of which one to apply to a difficult one.

Curriculum in the College of Engineering focuses on the conceptual stages of solving societal challenges and early stages of creating products that do not exist and therefore requires more in-depth study in math and science. Engineering students participate in hands-on labs and many experiential opportunities to design products and process. Engineering graduates (called engineers) are capable of doing computer modeling to predict performance prior to the build stage as well as working through all phases of the production process. Essentially, engineering degrees provide students with all of the math, science, and theory behind the concepts and principles they are learning about in order to be able to create new things and solve complex challenges.

Engineering technology degrees through Purdue Polytechnic Institute (which is an academic unit here at the West Lafayette campus, not a separate institution) specialize in bringing products to life and to the consumer. Engineering technology students have fewer theoretical classes, such as math and science, and focus more on the hands-on lab components with each class. Engineering technology graduates (called technologists) are involved in product design later in the production process and help to determine the best way to manufacture products.

Both the College of Engineering and the Purdue Polytechnic Institute emphasize teamwork, problem solving, and communication. These skills can lead to similar job functions across areas of design, manufacturing, and management depending on students' interest and experience.

It is important to note that some professions, like Civil Engineering, require a Professional Engineering (PE) license. The College of Engineering provides students in all majors (with the exception of Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies) the opportunity to work towards their PE as part of their plan of study, while engineering technology students will have to take additional coursework before or after they graduate to qualify to take the PE exam.

Which AP classes do you recognize for college credit?

Generally speaking, 4s and 5s on the AP tests will earn you credit here at Purdue. For more specific details, check out the Purdue credit for AP Tests page on the Office of Admissions' website for the ultimate guide to earning AP credit.

To see how that credit would apply to a Purdue Engineering degree, check out the First-Year Engineering plan of study for freshman year courses and the plan of study for your desired engineering major for classes sophomore year and beyond.

What is First-Year Engineering?

First-Year Engineering (FYE) is the launchpad for all undergraduate students at Purdue. It's what all students are applying to when applying to Purdue Engineering and where all incoming engineering students start for their freshman year.

The primary goals of their First-Year Engineering program are to provide a solid foundation for their students and to provide them with numerous opportunities to explore all 17 engineering majors at Purdue to determine which one is truly the best fit for them.

In addition to coursework in math, science, and communications, FYE students also take specialized engineering courses that provide them with team-working, problem solving, critical analysis, and programming skills. FYE students are also provided with numerous opportunities for major and career exploration, both inside and outside of their FYE courses, where they can learn about coursework, research, internship, and post-graduate opportunities for the various majors.

We find that many students applying to Purdue Engineering are undecided about which specific engineering major they want to pursue. Of those FYE students that came to Purdue with a specific engineering major in mind, roughly half of them will end up changing their mind every year based on what they've learned over the course of their freshman year. Having opportunities to meet with upperclassmen and professors and attend seminars hosted by the majors allow their students to make a much more informed decision about their desired major.

Click here to learn more about the First-Year Engineering program at Purdue

What are the requirements to transition to my major of choice after First-Year Engineering?

The process for students to select their major is simple and straightforward: Beginning in their second semester on campus, students will fill out on an online form to select their first and second choice engineering majors. That's it! No tests or extra application steps needed.

As long as a student completes all of the First-Year Engineering requirements, they are guaranteed to be placed into their major of choice as long as space is available. For a few of their engineering majors that are at or above enrollment capacity*, admission may be competitive and will be evaluated based on GPA, Engineering Admissions Index (EAI), and other factors.

Complete details about the process can be found on First-Year Engineering's Transition to Major page. There is also a way for students to be guaranteed their first choice major regardless of the major's capacity, as outlined in the Enrollment Management Policy for First-Year Engineering Students.

For students transitioning to their major in Fall 2022, 96.7% of FYE students received their first choice major. Over 90% of FYE students have received their first choice major in each of the last five years.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Transition to Major process, don't hesitate to contact us!

*Currently, majors that are near or above capacity limitations are Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Multidisciplinary Engineering. Even still, these majors were still able to accept 85-100% of students who requested them as their first choice in the Spring 2022 Transition to Major cycle.

What are the class sizes like in engineering?

The College of Engineering has a student-to-faculty ratio of 22.8:1 and an average class size of around 45 students.

As a large university, your class sizes will vary from 10 students to 400 students. Generally, class sizes will get smaller as you progress deeper into your major over the years.

Faculty-led lectures in science and math range in size from approximately 150-350 students but are complemented by mandatory recitation sessions that meet once or twice a week. These small-group recitation sessions divide students into classes of 20-30 and are led by teaching assistants to go back over the class material from the week, do group practice problems, and allow a smaller environment for students to ask questions.

Engineering-specific courses will typically be much smaller than the general math and science courses, and exact sizes will also be determined by the overall size of your engineering major.

It's important to note that, while they can't avoid some of the larger class sizes due to the size of their university, they do provide a variety of free resources for their students to get one-on-one support regardless of the class. Those mandatory recitation sections for the large-lecture courses are just one of the ways they try to provide a small-school setting for their students.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions are optional sessions in the evenings that cover many of the more challenging freshman and sophomore level courses and are led by undergraduate students that performed well in the courses.

There are also help rooms for many of the courses and subjects taught on campus (math, physics, thermodynamics, etc.) that are open on weekdays for students to get one-on-one support for homework problems, exam prep, and lecture-related questions. These help rooms are staffed by undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants (TAs).

Faculty and teaching assistants are also easily accessible through regular office hours, e-mail, and phone to answer any questions you may have, too!

There are also plenty of paid tutors available, though it's typically a last resort after trying all of the above options.

Can I double major as an engineering student?

A student who is doing well academically can typically double major in engineering; however, they see it done infrequently due to the extra time to degree. They do have many engineering students that do a variety of value-added minors.

Adding a second degree in physics, math, or liberal arts is typically more efficient. The Degree+ program through the College of Liberal Arts allows engineering students to pick up an additional liberal arts major in a more streamlined fashion, waiving the College of Liberal Arts core requirements and instead only requiring the major-required courses.

We may also encourage students to consider a master's degree rather than two bachelor's depending on their goals. Purdue's College of Engineering does have some 5-year combined BS+MS degree programs.

Pursuing a double-major or a dual-degree program almost always extends graduation times to 4.5 to 5 years, whereas adding on a minor usually does not extend time to degree.

Can I get an engineering degree in four years?

Yes! All undergraduate engineering degrees are designed as four-year programs, including First-Year Engineering. Each major requires 124-132 credit hours, which is a full course load (at least 15 hours per semester) for each of the eight semesters. Many students, for a variety of reasons, elect to take a lighter load and graduate in 4 1/2 - 5 years. The average time to degree is 4.2 years. Being successful and taking advantage of all of the opportunities afforded to you at the University is an important part of your college experience. Keep this in mind as you determine the time it will take you to complete your education. 

What is the honors program for engineering students?

The Goss Scholars Program is the honors version of their First-Year Engineering (FYE) program. Similar in format to their standard FYE plan of study, the Goss Scholars program adds extra depth and rigor to the first-year curriculum. Team projects will be more challenging and incorporate more programming and robotics experiences than the standard FYE curriculum. It's also not just about the classes! Goss Scholars also participate in fun extra-curricular programs and activities and have peer mentors to help them navigate their first year on campus.

Head over to the Goss Scholars Program website for more information about the program.

Students join the Goss Scholars Program in one of two ways: 1) By applying and being admitted to the John Martinson Honors College, or 2) by applying directly to the Goss Scholars Learning Community as an admitted, incoming freshman. If you applied to are an admitted to the Honors College, you will automatically be placed into the Goss Scholars Learning Community.

It's important to note that the Goss Scholars program is only for your freshman year. After that, aside from the opportunity to be a Goss Scholars Mentor, the remainder of your engineering plan of study will be the same as everyone else. If you are in the Purdue Honors College and wish to graduate with honors, you will also pursue the Honors College requirements. The only way to graduate with an honors diploma from Purdue is through the Honors College.

How do I pay for an engineering degree?

Great question! There are a lot of facts to consider, so we've created an entire page dedicated to this topic: Check out their How Do I Pay for a Purdue Engineering Degree page.

How do I apply for scholarships?

All students who submit their application to Purdue by the November 1 Early Application deadline will automatically for University-wide merit scholarships, no separate application required! Those who wish to also be considered for need-based scholarships should fill out the FAFSA by December 15.

There are also many more scholarship opportunities that open up beginning sophomore year when students transition to their engineering major. More information on departmental scholarships and overall college affordability resources can be found on the Engineering Scholarships for Current Students page.

What are the placement rates and starting salaries for Purdue Engineers?

The average starting salary across engineering disciplines for Purdue Engineering graduates for 2022 was approximately $79,000. 97% of engineering students were successfully placed into a job in their field or another chosen plan (graduate school, Peace Corps, military, etc.) within 6 months of graduation. Visit Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities Data Dashboard for more detailed starting salary information.

An engineering degree provides an excellent return on investment (ROI) for its graduates due to reliably strong placement rates and starting salaries. It's a large reason behind why Purdue Engineering attracts students from across the country and around the world - they know that the experiences and opportunities that they will have as students, combined with the high placement rates and starting salaries make it worth the investment for them!

Do engineering students have free time?

YES! Purdue Engineers are some of the most involved on campus. Their students find themselves involved with professional organizations, community service, bands and orchestras, Greek Life, club and even varsity sports. There is always something going on at Purdue: concerts, sporting events, festivals, speakers, movies, gaming, and fundraisers (i.e. Dance Marathon, Relay for Life). There are cool places to eat right near campus or just a walk down the hill to Historic Downtown Lafayette.

There is so much to do in the surrounding area. Hike along the Wabash Heritage Trail or even howl with the wolves (Really!) at Wolf Park. They even have the largest corn maze in Northwest Indiana (can you believe they pay to get lost in cornfields?). The entire Lafayette community has Boilermaker spirit and enjoys having students here.

What kinds of engineering clubs and organizations are there at Purdue?

Getting involved on campus is one of the best ways to find your community at Purdue and meet new people. Student organizations and clubs offer a way for you to pursue your passions, develop yourself professionally, gain leadership experience, or just find a group of friends with similar interests as you!

With over 1,000 student organizations and clubs on campus, you will find at least one or two organizations that you want to get more involved in, and likely many, many more that pique your interest. Many students choose to be involved in both a professional organization (think Purdue Student Government, National Society of Black Engineers, Engineers Without Borders, etc.) and a "fun" organization or club (like Latin Ballroom Dance Club, Pet-A-Puppy Club, residence halls clubs, Grand Prix Foundation, various sports clubs, or the Purdue Intercollegiate Quidditch Association). They also have Purdue Greek life, and volunteer clubs such as Habitat for Humanity.  You can view all active student organizations here: https://boilerlink.purdue.edu/. 

Do I need my own computer at Purdue? What kind should I get?

It's not necessary for you to bring your own computer, but it certainly helps. Purdue maintains 20 open computer labs that are available to students at various times. This does not include the open labs that are available in each residence hall for residents. However, most students like to have their own computer for organization and convenience. Either laptop or desktop computers will work depending on a student's preference.

The next big question is Mac or PC. If you’re deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and already have a Mac laptop, it will probably be fine but there will likely be some specialized software that’s not compatible. Computer labs with Windows machines are available, and some software is able to be streamed via Software Remote. If you’re looking to buy a new laptop, we’d highly recommend buying a Windows machine.

For more information on hardware and software guidelines, check out the Student PC minimum requirements article from the Engineering IT department. The majority of Purdue's campus has Wi-Fi coverage available for students to use.

Discounts on hardware and software are available for students through Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP), Purdue's IT department. Current and incoming students should hold off on major hardware and software purchases until they have activated their Purdue student account to gain access to a variety of free and heavily-reduced software and hardware discounts.

Do engineering students live in the same residence halls?

There are no engineering-specific residence halls on campus. However, because the College of Engineering is the largest academic college on campus, you will find fellow engineering students on your floor regardless of which residence hall you live in. And since the majority of students on campus take their English, communications, chemistry, and math classes, it won't be hard to find help with homework and exams from your floormates!

There are also several Learning Communities that have live-in components, meaning all students in the same Learning Community will live in the same floor(s) of a residence hall. For more information, visit Engineering Learning Communities. Learning Communities are optional but highly recommended for incoming freshman if any of them sound of interest!

Frequently Asked Questions: Engineering and Reception

Does NHPR broadcast in HD?Many of NHPR's frequencies currently broadcast in HD.

The infrastructure they are putting in place will enable us to move to digital channels in the future to provide additional programming choices for their listeners through the HD Radio system. At that point if you want to listen to those additional channels you would have to buy an HD radio. Even then, though, you will still be able to receive their regular NHPR FM signal just like you do now.

I keep hearing drop-outs or other interruptions in your programming. What's the cause?NHPR works hard to maintain its network of transmitters, translators and satellite downlinks. Occasionally, problems pop up and they do their best to address them as quickly as possible.

Common problems include transmitter outages, when no signal is received and you only receive static when you tune to NHPR. Another common problem is loss of programming, when you tune to NHPR only to hear silence. Another frequent problem is interference. With the onslaught of wireless communication devices, such as cellular phones, pagers, wi-fi networks and two-way radios, they have experienced an increase in interference-related problems. This manifests itself by brief chirps, whistles or drop-outs. The problem can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

When I tune in to NHPR, I can hear another radio station instead. What's causing this?This is usually caused by a temperature inversion in the atmosphere. It occurs when there is an odd collision of weather and atmospheric conditions, causing radio waves to act strangely. It is temporary, lasting from a few minutes to an hour. The problem should correct itself soon, so please stay tuned.

I can receive another public radio station, but not NHPR. Why?Because radio waves do not stop at state lines, you might be able to hear another public radio station more clearly than you will NHPR. If you are located closer to another station's transmitter than to one of NHPR's, you will receive their signal better.

I can hear NHPR in my car, but not on the clock radio next to my bed. Why?Generally speaking, radios in your automobile are better receivers of radio signals than those in your house. Typically, clock radios use the power cord as an antenna. They might also have a flexible, whip antenna built into the radio. The location of the power cord, or whip antenna, will affect your reception. If you've recently moved your radio, this can affect reception. Try repositioning the radio and/or power cord.

Why is the signal so weak in my city or town?While NHPR would love to add a full-powered station everywhere its signal is weak, the decision of where and when they add a station is not entirely within their control. The FCC strictly regulates where a radio station can be built, how powerfully it can broadcast, and where it will be located on the dial. Additionally, the span of radio signals reserved for non-commercial stations is limited to a small percentage of the radio dial.

Because they are located in a very crowded corner of the country, it is difficult to find available non-commercial frequencies, and commercial frequencies are very expensive to acquire. NHPR has searched continuously for available frequencies throughout New Hampshire, as well as in Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. However, we've always run the risk of interfering with other non-commercial broadcasters already broadcasting. The FCC won't allow us to cause interference with another station. Additionally, international treaties prevent us from interfering with Canadian stations.

How can I listen to NHPR?There are full-power radio stations and lower-power translator stations across New Hampshire that deliver NHPR's programming to your radio. The station or frequency you should tune to depends on where you live. Visit the Station Locator page to see their frequencies.

You can also listen to NHPR online.

Who do I contact when I have reception issues?Use the contact form to let us know about any problems receiving NHPR's reception. Select "Engineering and reception" as the "Send To" category on the form.

More Frequently Asked Questions:

About NHPR | Listening Online | Membership and Support | Programming | Public Insight Network | Underwriting and Sponsorship

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I apply specifically to the School of Engineering?Students apply to the School of Engineering, School of Business or College of Arts & Sciences. Students applying to the Engineering School may either declare a major on their application or apply as undeclared in Engineering.

What is the ratio of male to female students?Currently 24% percent of their students are female which is well above the national average. One of the reasons for this is their national ranking in regard to the percentage of female faculty members (approximately 33%; 3rd highest in the U.S.).

When do I have to decide on a major?Students may choose to declare (or change) a major at any time, though declaration (or change) requires the approval of the department chair. It is advisable to have at least informally decided on a major by the middle of your sophomore year to make sure you can still graduate in four years. They suggest that you declare a major on your application even if you are wavering between two or three different major choices. You will be assigned an advisor in that department who will help you determine if that field of engineering is right for you.

Can I transfer into the School of Engineering once at Santa Clara University?Yes, it is possible to transfer into the School of Engineering from the College of Arts & Sciences or the School of Business. Interested students are allowed to apply for transfer in the spring quarter of their first year by submitting an Internal Transfer Application to the School of Engineering. Applications are evaluated by the Faculty Chair of the department of interest based on space available (which changes from year to year) and the student’s academic performance in their prior quarters at Santa Clara University. With interest in several engineering departments on the rise, it is becoming increasingly difficult to gain approval for transfer into certain majors from outside of Engineering. It is impossible to forecast how many internal transfers a particular department will be able to accept for the upcoming year before the deposit deadline.

Do engineering students graduate in four years?At the entire university, around 78% of students graduate in four years. In the School of Engineering, their students have a comparable rate of graduation. Proper course planning through adherence to department four-year plans and academic success ensure graduating within four years. Students who begin in the School of Engineering are more likely to graduate on time.

Can engineering students study abroad?Engineering students can study abroad and, with proper planning, still graduate in four years. The best time to study abroad is normally during the SCU fall term of the junior year. This allows students to go abroad for either a quarter or a semester term overseas. Students will then return to SCU for the beginning of winter term. To stay on track in critical course sequences, students need to work with their academic advisors to select an appropriate institution and SCU-equivalent courses. SCU is a member of the Global Engineering Education Exchange (GE3), a consortium of universities around the world who offer engineering courses in English. The Study Abroad Office provides major-specific guidelines to many opportunities abroad. Studying abroad provides engineering students with an excellent global perspective on the profession.

Are there opportunities to do research as an Undergraduate?While each department differs, SCU undergraduate engineering students have numerous opportunities to be involved with faculty research projects. Many faculty members actually depend heavily on undergraduate students to help conduct their research. Interested students should consult faculty members conducting research in a particular area of interest to learn more about such opportunities. In addition to several University resources available to undergraduate students, the School of Engineering supports 10-15 students to do paid summer research with a faculty member each year through an endowed fund. For additional information, check out Kuehler Undergraduate Research page.

Do you accept transfer students?Yes, contact the SCU Admissions Office to learn more about transfer requirements and guidelines for each major.

How about international students?International students are also welcome. Contact the SCU Admissions Office to learn more about international student requirements.

What is the average salary of a SCU engineering student after they graduate?Median starting salary for engineering graduates in 2014 was $65,500.

Do I need a computer? Apple or PC?Students need not have their own personal computer although having a computer will offer many conveniences. The University, School of Engineering, and many of the departments all provide computing facilities for student use. These computing labs allow students to access the technical software packages needed for course assignments, laboratory write-ups, and special projects. Since personal computers now serve so many functions, most students do own either a desktop or a laptop system. Most student use PCs, but since students can utilize computer labs for any PC required software, many students also use Apple computers and laptops.

Can I double major or have a minor?While Computer Science and Engineering is the most popular second major, they have students who double major or minor in many different fields from music, dance, and history to business, physics, and Spanish.

What is the difference between engineering disciplines?Bioengineering is the application of electrical, chemical, mechanical, and other engineering principles to understand, modify, or control biological systems. Examples of bioengineering advances include: artificial knee and hip joints, cardiac pacemakers, kidney dialysis machines, arthroscopic surgical tools, MRI and CAT Scanning systems, inhaleable insulin systems, automated defibrillators, genomics and proteomics.

Civil Engineers plan, design, build, and maintain the facilities essential to their civilization: bridges, dams, highways, transit systems, airports, tunnels, irrigation systems, water supply, and industrial and commercial buildings.

Computer Engineers are concerned with all aspects of computer hardware and software as well as the mathematical foundations of computation.

Electrical Engineers are concerned with information representation and transmission, advancing integrated circuit design for digital, analog and mixed systems, new devices and architectures, and all the areas of circuits and systems that have traditionally supported these efforts. This includes all phases of the digital or analog transmission of information such as radio, television, telephone systems, fiber optics, wireless communication, and satellite communications, as well as control and robotics, electric power, information processing and storage.

Mechanical Engineers are concerned with all aspects of design, development, control, and manufacture of mechanical systems and energy conversion systems.

Can I participate in athletics and still study engineering?We have had many successful students in engineering and athletics. It requires dedication and a demanding schedule. (Athletes are often familiar with managing a tightly constrained schedule.)

What internship opportunities are available for engineering students?Internships are becoming increasingly important in helping prepare engineering students for their professional careers. Internships allow students to see first-hand how companies and their employees function on a day-to-day basis. Intern positions frequently serve as a bridge between the problem-solving skills learned at school and the skills needed for professional practice. Employers often check a student’s resume to see if such experience has been obtained prior to graduation. With their Silicon Valley location, their students are in a prime position to find numerous internship opportunities. Students as early as the summer following their freshman year find internships in the area. The University Career Center collects lists of internship opportunities and works with engineering students to find companies in their area of interest. Many students receive full-time, post-graduation employment offers from the companies they have worked for as interns.

Is Santa Clara University nationally ranked?Yes, most definitely. For more than 18 years, SCU has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as 2nd best in the West among predominately master degree granting universities. In addition, according to the 2016 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, SCU’s first-year retention rate of 95% ranks the highest of any master’s university in the country, and the 85% graduation rate is the highest in the West. Santa Clara University’s School of Engineering jumped two spots from 2015 to No. 12 in the top engineering programs offered by master’s universities across the country.

How many times a year do you accept students?We review and accept students for the fall, winter, and spring quarters. For the summer quarter, they accept students to their Open University program only.

Are you on a quarter or semester system?The Engineering Graduate Programs are on a quarter system.

I last attended graduate classes five years ago; may I come back?Yes, you may. You will need to submit another online application, after which they will work with you to recreate your file. Applications for admissions are completed on-line.

When are your classes held?Classes meet at the following convenient times Monday through Friday: 7:10 - 9 A.M.; 5:10 - 7 P.M.; 7:10 - 9 P.M. Some classes are also scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

How long does the program take to complete?Full-time students (enrolling in 8 or more units each Quarter) generally take 1.5 to 2 years to complete the M.S. Program. Students enrolling part-time take 2.5 to 6 years on average to complete their M.S.

Do you accept all formats of the TOEFL tests and IELTS?Yes, they accept both TOEFL and IELTS. They accept computer-based, paper-based, and Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL tests. Santa Clara University's TOEFL code is 4851 and scores should be sent directly to us by testing agencies. While waiting for the official scores to be sent to us, students are encouraged to send us a photocopy of the test results as a place holder. Exceptions: TOEFL is not required of international students who received a degree (undergraduate or graduate) from an English-speaking country (e.g. India, Singapore, Canada). TOEFL can also be waived for students who have been in the U.S. with strong English ability. To request a waiver and an interview, please contact the Engineering Graduate Services by email, GradEngineer@scu.edu, or call 408-554-4748.

How long are my scores good?Scores will be accepted as long as they are no more than five years old.

Do you require a translation of my transcripts?Yes! Students with non-U.S. degrees must submit one English translation of their transcript and diploma.

What goes on during an admissions information session?On-campus information sessions are held almost every month. During the 45-minute program, an admissions representative will provide a detailed overview of the School's distinctive features, discuss the degree and non-degree programs, and offer tips on admissions procedures. After the presentation, you will have an opportunity to ask questions.

What if I can't make it to campus? Can you come to my company to do an information session?Yes, they can. They will be happy to meet with you at a location and time that is convenient for you. They do, however, require a minimum of five people for us to host an off-campus session. Please contact us to set this up, at 408-554-7839, or email GradEngineer@scu.edu.

What if I can't afford the application fee?If the application fee poses a financial hardship on you, please let us know by sending us an email to GradEngineer@scu.edu, stating your inability to pay this fee and explaining the circumstances.

Is a Statement of Purpose required if I'm applying to the M.S. Program?No, it is not required. A Statement of Purpose is only required for Ph.D. applicants.

What is required to enter your master's degree program?A four-year technical bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited program, one official transcript from the undergraduate college attended, General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for international applicants. There are exceptions, however. The Software Engineering master's degree program would also require the Computer Science GRE Subject Test if the applicant does not have a computer science or computer engineering background. If this proves problematic, you may wish to consider applying to the M.S. in Computer Engineering, which does not have such a requirement and does have an emphasis in software engineering. The Engineering Management and Leadership master's degree also does not require the GRE, and the Computer Engineering Department is receptive in accepting qualified master's degree candidates who have a non-ABET accredited relevant four-year bachelor's degree and have taken one year of calculus.

I've heard you can earn an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree from Santa Clara in five years. How does that work?Yes, they do offer such a program, but it is only available to current Santa Clara University undergraduate students. Students first complete their undergraduate degrees. They then start taking graduate level courses as early as in the spring of their junior year and complete a master's degree in only one year, as opposed to two. Students in the Five-Year Program are also exempted from the application fees and taking the GRE. Having both a B.S. and M.S. degrees can be valuable when progressing in a professional career.

How do I check the status of my application?You can send us an email, GradEngineer@scu.edu, or call at (408) 554-4313.

How long does it take for the committee to reach a decision?Please allow approximately two weeks for the review of M.S. applications. The review for Ph.D. applicants takes approximately two to three weeks. Open University and Certificate Programs take approximately one week.

Can I defer my application?Yes, if you are unable to furnish all of the required materials by an application deadline, please send an email to GradEngineer@scu.edu and specify for which quarter you are seeking admission instead.

How big are the graduate engineering classes? Are they all taught by professors or are some taught by teaching assistants?On average, there are 15 students in a class. All courses are taught by full-time professors or part-time lecturers who are from industry.

I've taken some graduate courses outside SCU. Can I transfer those credits?Graduate level courses that you took in an accredited university may be considered for transfer credit to SCU if they have not been applied to any other graduate degrees. You must have a grade of C or better in those courses. M.S. students may transfer a maximum of 6 semester or 9 quarter units toward the required 45 units to graduate from SCU, and Ph.D. students can transfer a maximum of 18 quarter units or 12 semester units toward the required 72 units. Ph.D. students usually take 36 units of courses and 36 units for dissertation.