The document outlines a webinar discussing the admissions and counseling process for engineering-bound students in the US, Canada, and the UK. It covers program structures, admissions requirements, hands-on experience opportunities, and the importance of academic preparation.

1. Webinar Wednesday
Admissions & Counseling
for the Engineering-Bound Student
October 2015
WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015

2. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Our Panelists
Brian Hussey (PM session)
University of Aberdeen, UK
Brian.Hussey@abdn.ac.uk
David Zutautas
University of Toronto, Canada
David.Zutautas@utoronto.ca
Meghan Dangremond
Tufts University, USA
Meghan.Dangremond@tufts.edu
Alexandra (Aleka) Bilan (PM Session)
Jakarta Intercultural School, Indonesia
abilan@jisedu.or.id
Facilitator
Aaron Andersen, University of British Columbia, aaron.andersen@ubc.ca

3. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Today’s Session
•Engineering in the US
• Engineering in Canada
•Engineering in the UK
• A Secondary Perspective
• Questions for the Panel

4. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Engineering in the US
• 2 year programs
• Liberal Arts options
• Engineering Science
• Specialty programs: Engineering Psychology, Music Engineering
• 3+2
• ABET Accredited Programs (abet.org)
•3,600 applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology
programs at over 700 colleges and universities in 29 countries worldwide.
•Preparation for the “Fundamentals of Engineering” exam, leading to
certification as a Professional Engineer (P.E.)

5. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Program Variation
• Specificity vs. Breadth
• Technical/Professional vs. Academic/Research
• Size
• “Vibe”
• Access to research and internships
• Flexibility of program transfer

6. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Four Years in the Life
Introduction: 8 Classes
First Year Engineering: 2 Classes
Foundation: 8 Classes
Concentration Required: 8 Classes
Concentration Elective: 4 Classes
Liberal Arts: 6 Classes
Free Electives: 2 Classes

7. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Admissions Process
• Math/Science Preparation
• Testing
• Extracurricular Involvement
• Essays and Recommendations
• Personality and Fit

8. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Engineering as a Profession in Canada
• Highly regulated:
•founding of Civil Engineers of Canada in 1887
•Governments legislated oversight bodies starting in 1888
•Current oversight bodies like Ordre des Ingenieurs du Quebec and
Professional Engineers of Ontario created at start of 1920’s
• Engineers Canada (founded 1936) is national organization of the 12
provincial and territorial bodies oversees academic Engineering
program accreditation

9. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Structure of Engineering Programs
• 4 year professional bachelor level program
• Very focused undergraduate program, not structured as part of a
liberal arts degree
• Full Range of graduate options from 1yr professional Masters to PHd
• Some professional masters programs may be taken by non-
engineering undergrads, however such program would not lead to
licensure.

10. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Hands on Experience
• Experiential learning is incorporated into all programs
• Paid work opportunities are commonly available
• Students often have job offers before graduating from their programs following
work placements
• International students are allowed to participate in paid work opportunities
• International students may stay and work in Canada for up to 3 years following
graduation http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp
• Professional work experience hours are required to be licensed following
graduation.

11. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Admissions
• High academic proficiency in prerequisite subjects is essential
• Key prerequisites subjects: Calculus, Physics, Chemistry
• Acceptable courses satisfying these subjects depend on the individual
curriculum
• Students have option of a general first year of engineering or direct to
engineering program depending on school.
• Academic and supplemental information is normally required for the admissions
process
• There are some joint undergraduate/graduate program options. Application to
graduate option occurs commonly after first year of the engineering program is
completed.

12. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Academic Preparation
• Background – In Canada it is the norm that students have 2 years each of
Physics and Chemistry in high school with the second year being taken in grade
12 (sr. year). Calculus is also taken in grade 12, often in combination with an
additional math.
• To be properly prepared students would be expected to have at least the
equivalent of this level of preparation, therefore in:
• IB Diploma SL/HL Math, Physics, Chemistry (HL always preferred)
• US Diploma two years of prerequisites, preferably AP Calculus, Chemistry and Physics
• GCE Normally full A Level in Math, Physics, Chemistry. AS may be acceptable to
satisfy prerequisites but GCSE/IGCSE/O-Level will not commonly satisfy prerequisite
preparation.
• French Bacc. Scientific Stream

13. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Engineering in the UK
•Degree structure
•Content
•Admissions

14. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
UK Undergraduate Degrees
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the majority of degrees are 3 years in
duration with specialisation from the outset
In Scotland, the majority of degrees are 4 years offering an element of flexibility
Engineering can however be 3, 4 or 5 years in duration resulting in awards of:
• BSc (Bachelor of Science)
• BEng (Bachelor of Engineering)
• MEng (Master of Engineering)

15. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
What You Will Study
•Year 1 Your time will usually be divided between engineering, mathematics and option
courses. You study several branches of engineering, followed by the first in-depth study
of your preferred subject. For most of our programmes you can choose an option from
the sciences or the arts.
•Year 2 You will study your chosen branch of engineering, supported by classes in
mathematics. You will begin to apply your scientific and mathematical skills to real
problem solving.
•Year 3 You will now be able to focus almost entirely on your chosen field of engineering.
At the end of Year 3, you will have the option of completing one more year for a BEng
(Hons) or studying for a further two years for an MEng (Hons).

16. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
What You Will Study
•Year 4 You will concentrate on specialist study and innovative coursework that will
prepare you for your professional career. Increasingly you will spend time on
individual or group design projects. These projects include working with students
from other disciplines in our unique interdisciplinary design projects, initiated with
support from the Royal Academy of Engineering.
MEng students will produce a substantial project that may involve working overseas
or in industry.
•Year 5 As in Year 4, you will have further opportunities to broaden and deepen
your understanding of fundamental engineering concepts and also to develop your
skills in applying this knowledge in a range of specialist areas (for MEng).

17. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Time/Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
09.00 Economics 1 (lecture) Independent study Core course Maths for
Sci & Eng (tutorial)
Economics 1 (lecture) Independent study
10.00 Core course Eng -
Mech (lecture)
Core course Eng -
Sustain (lecture)
Independent study Independent study Core course Eng - Elec
(lecture)
11.10 Independent study Independent study Independent study Independent study Independent study
12.10 Core course Maths for
Sci & Eng (lecture)
Core course Maths for
Sci & Eng (lecture)
Independent study Core course Maths for
Sci & Eng (lecture)
Core course Maths for
Sci & Eng (lecture)
13.05 Sports & societies
14.00 Economics 1 (tutorial) Core course
Engineering 1 -
Mechanical
(laboratory)
Core course Eng -
Mech (tutorial)
Independent study
15.00 Independent study Independent study Independent study
16.10 Independent study Independent study Independent study
17.00 Independent study Independent study Independent study
Example Science first year timetable
BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Economics as the outside course)
Core
Core
Option

18. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Undergraduate Applications
•All full-time undergraduate
applications to the
University are made
through UCAS (Universities
and Colleges Admissions
Service)
•One application for up to
five courses
•www.ucas.com

19. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Entry Requirements
IB & A-level
•Higher Level or A-Level
•Mathematics
•Most Universities will also
expect Higher Level or A-
level Physics and/or HL
Design Technology
US Qualifications
•AP Calculus
UCAS Personal Statement

20. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Secondary Perspective
•About 40% of all beginning engineering majors switch majors or fail
to graduate (http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2014/2014001rev.pdf)
•Reasons: underprepared, rigorous, fixed coursework, dry abstract
topics, strong competition, grade deflation
•Recognizing the natural engineer: regularly solves household
problems, tinkerer, programmer, takes apart and rebuilds
appliances/machines, etc.

21. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
High School Preparation
•Coursework: math through Calculus, science (particularly physical
science)
•Admissions expectations of higher GPA & test scores - also, subject
tests frequently required
•Determining & demonstrating aptitude for engineering
•Academic: robotics, tech club, summer programs, college course(s)
•At Home: build a robot, design/assemble a computer
•Work: internship, research, design/sell an app
•Service: volunteer, problem solving
•Managing parent expectations

22. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Crafting the College List
• Fewer “safety/likely” schools
• 4- or 5-year programs vs 3-2 programs
• Internship/co-op opportunities → research/engineering school
• Engineering major reputation → cooperative vs competitive
• Undeclared engineering major → LAC
• Directed engineering major
• Theoretical vs. practical approach to curriculum
• Who teaches courses? Faculty or graduate students?
• Accreditation (ABET, CEAB, etc.)
• Philosophy behind GenEd requirements (balance of humanities, arts, social sciences vs. quantitative
subject requirements)
• Considering social fit - who are the student's "people"? balancing prestige (brand) vs college culture;
• Applying outside the US

23. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Application Essays
•App, no Engineering Supplement
•Personal Statement needs to demonstrate interest in Engineering
•Should address proof of Engineering aptitude
•App w/Engineering or Why Major Supplement
•With Engineering Supplement – demonstrate aptitude
•With Major Supplement – proof of Engineering aptitude

24. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Alternative Paths
•Consider majoring in Physics or Chemistry – if waitlist or transfer into
engineering possible
•Consider a 3-2 at a non-engineering school – Keep a high GPA and transfer to
engineering program
• Engineering Technology vs. Engineering – more hands-on vs. theory

25. WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
October 2015
Thank you to our Panelists!
Robbie Willis (AM session)
University of Edinburgh, UK
Robert.Willis@ed.ac.uk
Brian Hussey (PM session)
University of Aberdeen, UK
Brian.Hussey@abdn.ac.uk
David Zutautas
University of Toronto, Canada
David.Zutautas@utoronto.ca
Meghan Dangremond
Tufts University, USA
Meghan.Dangremond@tufts.edu
Alexandra (Aleka) Bilan (PM Session)
Jakarta Intercultural School, Indonesia
abilan@jisedu.or.id
Berta Liao (AM Session)
Tsinchu International School, Taiwan
berta.liao@hdis.hc.edu.tw