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Engineering Transfer Student Direct Admit Frequently Asked Questions

Engineering will be piloting a direct-admit program for transfer students admitted in the 2022-2023 academic year. This program will allow transfer students to move directly into their intended engineering major.  See below for answers to commonly asked questions about this program.

  1. What is General Engineering and how is it different from other VT engineering majors?
    All students admitted to the College of Engineering through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions are admitted to General Engineering. This major is part of the first-year program, students cannot graduate with a General Engineering major. Once the specific change of major requirements are met, students will apply to a degree-granting engineering major (e.g. Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.).

  2. What is changing for COE transfer students?
    In previous years, COE transfer students would be in General Engineering until they completed all of the change of major requirements, and they would apply to a degree-granting major. Applications were reviewed based on a student's overall VT GPA. COE transfer students admitted to the 2022-2023 academic year will be placed directly into a specific engineering major based on the intended major listed on your Pre-Orientation Form and space availability in the intended major.

  3. What if my selected intended major does not have space availability?
    You will indicate your intended engineering major on the Engineering Pre-Orientation Form. If your intended major does not have space availability, you will be contacted by the College of Engineering Academic Affairs office to request you select a different engineering major. If you do not wish to select a different engineering major (and pursue that major), you may request to defer your admission to the following academic year (email appchange@vt.edu).

  4. What if I want to change my engineering major?
    If you want to change your major prior to the last day to add classes of your first fall or spring semester (see the Academic Calendar), you should email your request to Natasha Smith (noliver@vt.edu). Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will be dependent on space availability in the new major you are requesting.

    If you want to change your major after the last day to add classes of your first fall or spring semester (see the Academic Calendar), you will need to follow the steps on the "How to Declare an Engineering Major" document, including the course requirements, minimum GPA, and minimum GPA hours.

  5. As a new COE transfer student admitted to the 2022-2023 academic year, what are the requirements to remain in my degree-granting major?
    You will need to adhere to your declared major's satisfactory progress towards degree, located on page 2 of the graduation requirements.

  6. Do I have to earn a certain VT GPA to remain in my degree-granting engineering major?
    No, there is no minimum GPA required to remain in your degree-granting engineering. However, you will need to adhere to your declared major's satisfactory progress towards degree, located on page 2 of the graduation requirements.

  7. Do I have to complete a specific number of VT GPA hours?
    No, there is no minimum number of GPA hours required to remain in your degree-granting engineering major. However, you will need to adhere to your declared major's satisfactory progress towards degree, located on page 2 of the graduation requirements.