Engineering Undeclared

Students who have narrowed down their selection to two engineering majors are advised to list one of the majors as their first choice and the other as their second choice. Once students are at UIUC, if they discover an interest in a different major, they can work with an advisor to carefully choose classes and keep their options open to apply to transfer to a new engineering major as early as at the end of their first year. Transfer into some majors is very competitive, and transfer to Computer Science, Computer Science + Bioengineering, and Computer Science + Physics is closed to any student entering UIUC.

The second-choice major should be carefully chosen and reflect the student’s career interests at application time. Some students who list Engineering Undeclared as their first choice may be admitted to their second-choice option, depending on demand.

Engineering Undeclared students will take a regular set of foundational courses common to many engineering majors, plus at least one (and possibly two) “gateway” courses.

Foundational courses include Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, and Rhetoric. Students with appropriate AP credit may skip one or more of these courses and move ahead to other courses, after consultation with an advisor. Undeclared students are required to take Engineering 101, a one-hour course that provides an overview of the engineering majors.

Gateway courses are technical subjects that provide an entry point to one or two specific majors. These courses provide a way to “sample” a major, and they are often required courses in that major. If you eventually choose a different major, the gateway course may count toward a requirement in that major. Examples of gateway courses are ECE 110 (for electrical and/or computer engineering) and SE 101 or ME 170 (for mechanical, civil, systems, and industrial engineering). All classes will be chosen in consultation with an engineering advisor.

To remain in good academic standing within the program, EU students must

• maintain at least a 2.5 UIUC GPA and a 2.5 specialized GPA (GPA in all STEM courses),
• meet any GPA requirements that their intended major has for its current students,
• earn at least a B-in ENG 101 (an exploration of engineering majors taken in their first semester),
• make appropriate progress in foundational and technical STEM coursework,
• earn at least a C in foundational technical courses, and
• meet with an EU advisor each semester.

Students who earn at least a 3.0 UIUC GPA and a 3.0 specialized GPA while fulfilling the above requirements are pre-approved to enroll into one of their three majors of interest. While we try to place each student in their first-choice major of interest, it is not guaranteed. Students specify their majors of interest at the end of their first semester and may modify them in consultation with an EU advisor.

Students who are not in good academic standing or who are not pre-approved for a major selection will be individually advised by the college staff, with decisions about their next steps made on a case-by-case basis.

For students admitted to Illinois in Fall 2024 and beyond:

Students in EU who earn at least a 3.0 UIUC GPA and a 3.0 Illinois Specialized GPA and earn a B- or higher in major exploration courses for majors of interest, in addition to meeting the requirements to remain in good EU standing, are best situated for assignment into one of their three majors of interest. While we try to place each student in their first-choice major of interest, it is not guaranteed. Placement depends on the holistic review of a student’s application to their majors of interest and capacity in individual majors. Major capacity may change from semester to semester. Students placed into their third-choice majors will be encouraged to speak to an EU advisor to discuss their options.

Students who are meeting good EU standing (maintain at least 2.5 UIUC GPA and a 2.5 Specialized GPA) but are not earning at least a 3.0 UIUC GPA and a 3.0 Specialized GPA or have not earned at least a B- in a major exploration course for their majors of interest will still be considered for their three majors of interest. Students who are earning GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0 will need to meet with an EU advisor to discuss paths that will allow the student to meet their professional and academic goals. Students who are not in good EU standing will be individually advised by the college staff, with decisions about available majors and their next steps made on a case-by-case basis.

Students who do not maintain good EU standing may be considered for placement on EU warning status or, especially if a student is not in good academic standing within the university (below a 2.0 UIUC overall or semester GPA), removal from the program.

EU students will be advised in ways that keep as many options open as possible, even before they select a major. The Engineering Undeclared Program is an exploration program and provides unique resources to EU students to support that exploration, which includes access to courses that might be otherwise restricted solely to students in specific majors. All EU students receive individualized advising to ensure that they are on an appropriate and realistic path towards admission to a major in Grainger or, in some cases, other colleges on campus.

Students who begin in a specific major are assured from the time of admission that they have a seat in that major. They automatically retain that seat as long as they stay in good academic standing. All students are welcome to explore other majors by taking the gateway course for another major on engaging in other forms of exploration. Students who wish to transfer from one major to another should discuss their plans with a college advisor as soon as possible.

EU students are not able to declare or change their major to Computer Science. In fact, Computer Science, Computer Science + Bioengineering, and Computer Science + Physics are CLOSED to all Intercollegiate and Interdepartment transfers for anyone who entered the university as a first-year student. Applications to change into Mathematics & CS, Statistics & CS, or CS+X programs are accepted and handled through the UIUC college housing the major. The acceptance process into these majors is highly competitive.

Students can decide to pursue a CS minor, which can put them on the pathway to a CS masters’ degree at UIUC.

Engineering Undeclared students who decide to transfer out of The Grainger College of Engineering follow “ICT/IDT” transfer rules for their intended major. These students should see an EU advisor and an advisor in their intended major to explore options and make plans to transfer out of engineering.

• Illinois students are eligible to apply during their second or third semester for consideration for EU admission at the beginning of the following semester. Students who apply to EU in their third semester may be on a delayed graduation timeline.
• Students in their fourth semester or beyond and off-campus transfer students are not eligible to apply.
• If students are denied after their second semester, they may apply again in their third semester.

• Submit an online application during the appropriate application period. Application link will be available only during the appropriate application period (see “ICT Application Periods” below). 
• Application Contents
  • Specify three majors of interest, in ranked preference. Only two majors can be competitive majors. Competitive majors are: Aerospace Engineering, Bioengineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering. Indicating more than two competitive majors will have a negative impact on an application.
  • Submit a PDF of your professional resume. Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of the Resume Review sessions offered by The Career Center. 
  • Academic Record Essay: Comment (150-250 words) on your college academic record (courses, grades, any low grades, missing courses).
  • Extracurricular Involvement Reflection Essay: Describe (150-250 words) your involvement in activities outside the classroom.
  • Professional Statement of interest: Submit a professional statement (250-500 words) of interest that explains your interest in the majors you selected and how you intend on exploring majors during your time in Engineering Undeclared.
  • Optional essay: Please state (maximum 250 words) any circumstances that have affected your academic performance that you would like the Admission Review Committee to consider.
• Applications are reviewed holistically and depend in part on the capacity of the majors of interest the student specified. Major capacities may vary by semester.
• Requirements to apply
  • Completion of MATH 220/221
  • Completion of CHEM 102/103
  • Illinois Overall GPA of 3.30 or higher
  • Illinois Specialized GPA (all STEM courses) of 3.0 or higher with a B- or higher in individual courses
  • Students who have already completed the courses listed above are expected to complete higher-level technical courses appropriate to their academic goals.

• Application for Fall admission: May 1 – 15
• Application for Spring admission: November 15 – 30

Fall 2024 ICT Information Sessions will be held either on Zoom or in person. Please read the information for each event. Zoom information will be sent by 5PM Central Time the day before the session as well as again about 1 hour before the session begins to all who are registered for the session.

Please sign up to attend an information session.

All times are given in Central Standard Time.

• Wednesday, August 28 @ 2PM (Zoom)
• Thursday, September 5 @ 3PM (in-person, Grainger Engineering Library 429)
• Tuesday, September 17 @ 9AM (in-person, Grainger Engineering Library 429)
• Tuesday, October 1 @ 4PM (Zoom)
• Wednesday, October 16 @ 10AM (in-person, Grainger Engineering Library 429)
• Friday, November 1 @ 2PM (Zoom)
• Monday, November 11 @ 1PM (in-person, Grainger Engineering Library 429)
• Thursday, December 12 @ 11AM (Zoom)

Sign up for an Information Session