Pre-Engineering

Engineering Orientation – ENG 100

Engineering at Illinois – ENG 101

Engineering First-Year Experience elective – ENG 198

Agricultural & Biological Engineering – ABE 100

Introduction to Bioengineering – BIOE 120

About Civil Engineering – CEE 195

Mechanics in the Modern World – TAM 195 (Engineering Mechanics)

Introduction to Materials Science & Engineering – MSE 182

Orientation to Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering – NPRE 100

Computer Science – CS 125, CS 173, CS 225

Electrical & Computer Engineering - ECE 110, ECE 120, ECE 210, ECE 220

Systems Engineering and Design – SE 101

Mechanical Engineering – ME 170

When meeting with an advisor to drop a course, students will discuss which course they want to drop, why, and the potential implications of dropping that course (i.e. staying on track in the PREP curriculum, maintaining full-time academic status, satisfying financial aid requirements). Additionally, students cannot drop a course if it will place them below 12 credit hours unless they have been approved for an underload that semester.

Students considering dropping the following courses should know that doing so could jeopardize their ability to make satisfactory progress and remain in Pre-Engineering:

• CHEM 102/103, 104/105, 202/203, 204/205
• CS 101 or 125
• MATH 220/221, 225, 231, 241, 285 or 286, 415
• PHYS 211, 212, 213, or 214
• RHET 101, 102, or 105, CMN 111 or 112
• ESL 111, 112, or 115

When meeting with an advisor to add or change sections of a course, students will receive a copy of the PREP Late Course Change Form to have signed by the course instructor and department (unless it is a 2nd 8 week course). They must return the form to the DGS office in order for the change to be processed and finalized. Students should be aware that even if a course is open when they complete the form, it does not guarantee that seats will be available when the form is processed.

If students are interested in adding a 2nd 8 week course, they should consider the following before submitting the PREP Late Course Change Form:

• How would adding this course impact my ability to be successful in my other coursework?
• Are there seats available in the course I am interested in?
• Does the course conflict with my current schedule?
• Will I need approval for a course overload (more than 18 credit hours) to add the course?
• Are there any other courses I would consider adding if my first choice does not work?

In order to apply to the College of Engineering, students in PREP will complete and submit their Engineering Portfolio.  Criteria for submitting the Engineering Portfolio are:

• Students must complete the required Classes for Each Major listed on the College of Engineering WIKI Page by the end of the semester for which they submit their Engineering Portfolio.
• First-year PREP students may submit their Engineering Portfolio in their second semester at Illinois (if all required courses have been completed or are in progress) for review at the completion of the semester.
• Students who have been accepted into PREP through the ICT process after their first year of college may submit their Engineering Portfolio in their third semester at Illinois (if all required courses have been completed or are in progress) for review at the completion of the semester.

To be eligible for guaranteed admission to an Open Capacity major in the College of Engineering, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

• At least a 3.0 overall and Specialized GPA (sGPA).
• Completion of specific required classes for each major (see section above).
• Completion of the Engineering Portfolio (ICT application).

The Specialized GPA is calculated based on all foundational technical courses related to the Engineering core curriculum.

• The guaranteed admission criteria vary according to demand and capacity for each major. 
• Students who are eligible to submit the Engineering Portfolio will be guaranteed admission to an open capacity major in the College of Engineering based on the capacities listed at the time of enrollment into PREP (see chart below).
• Transfer into highly requested majors have more stringent requirements as detailed below and are subject to competitive review based on space available.
• Although the listed criteria provide guaranteed admission into majors, all applications are reviewed holistically.  The guaranteed admission criteria does not represent a minimum cutoff for admission.
• Space availability is subject to change.

PREP students are required to meet with a PREP advisor at least once a semester to discuss their academic progress and to maintain an Engineering Portfolio. 

To be eligible for guaranteed admission to an OPEN CAPACITY major in the College of Engineering, students in PREP must meet the following minimum requirements:

• At least two, full-time, completed semesters at Illinois if admitted as a freshman and at least one, full-time, completed semester at Illinois if admitted as a sophomore. 
• At least a 3.00 overall Illinois GPA earned each semester.
• At least a 3.00 Specialized Illinois GPA (sGPA) earned each semester.
• Adherence to the suggested major course sequence found in the Undergraduate Catalog.
• Earned grades of B- or above in all foundational coursework attempted for the desired engineering major as listed in the Undergraduate Catalog.
• Successful completion of 3-4 technical courses each semester that are appropriate for the major. 
• Students who are ahead in the suggested sequence for the major (e.g., through AP or proficiency credit) should continue taking an appropriate engineering course load. 

The specialized GPA is calculated based on all foundational technical courses required of the Engineering core curriculum as well as any Engineering courses taken.

PREP Students must complete an online ICT application called the Engineering Portfolio in order to apply for Intercollegiate Transfer to the College of Engineering by the listed deadline each semester.  Students will usually apply during or just after their second or third semester at the University of Illinois.  The fourth semester at Illinois is the last opportunity PREP students have to submit the Engineering Portfolio.  Review by the College of Engineering will occur after grades are posted at the end of the semester.

• Information on Transfer to the College of Engineering can be found on the Engineering Undergraduate Advising WIKI page. 
• The guaranteed admission criteria vary according to major due to demand and capacity.
• Students in PREP who have completed the prescribed coursework after their first year at Illinois and at least one semester enrolled in PREP will be guaranteed admission to an open capacity major in the College of Engineering based on the capacities listed at the time of enrollment into PREP and the requirements above. 
• Transfer into highly requested majors have more stringent requirements as detailed in the major capacities chart and are subject to competitive review based on space available.
• Although the listed criteria provide guaranteed admission into majors, all applications are revised holistically.  The guaranteed admission criteria does not represent a minimum cutoff for admission.
• Space availability is subject to change.

PREP students are required to meet with a PREP advisor at least once a semester to discuss their academic progress and to maintain an Engineering Portfolio. 

Notes:

• Competitive Review majors (Bioengineering, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering) are not guaranteed admission based on GPA.  Admission will be based on a holistic application review by the College of Engineering and the space available in that competitive major.
• Although the listed criteria provide guaranteed admission into majors, all applications are reviewed holistically.  The guaranteed admission criteria does not represent a minimum cutoff for admission.
• sGPA or Specialized GPA is the cumulative GPA of all math, science, and Engineering courses taken at Illinois.
• Civil and Environmental Engineering has been moved to "Moderate Capacity" from "Limited Capacity" as of October 2018 for all students in PREP.

PDF version of GPA Requirements