Cockrell School of Engineering External Transfer Help
Cleanup machines at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
UT-Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering reviews and accepts students applying from another college or university during the Fall semester. Admission is highly competitive because spaces are limited and many candidates submit applications.
There are no precise applicant or admitted student numbers or a typical transfer student profile. My rule of thumb to be competitive is a 3.75 overall GPA or higher with a perfect 4.0 in STEM classes especially in Calculus and Physics.
You can review the official recommendations here. I will highlight more advice and requirements below.
You can find general transfer advice here.
Cockrell School of Engineering Eligibility and Requirements
UT-Austin allows students select a a first- and second-choice major. In almost all cases, the second choice major is not considered. Engineering admissions, however, will review you for your second choice if you do not gain your first. In some rare instances, students get their second choice engineering discipline.
For that reason, prospective engineering transfers should select different engineering disciplines for their first and second choice major.
Reviewers give preference to applicants with less than 60 hours completed or in progress because you will spend a minimum of five full semesters at UT-Austin finishing your Bachelor’s degree.
Also unlike other programs, admissions admits students based on their choice of major (Mechanical or Aerospace, for example) rather than the College or School overall like College of Liberal Arts or the Moody College of Communications.
There are no public admissions numbers for transfers, but this video data for first-time freshman Engineering applicants from 2010-2016 gives you an idea of the popularity of each program and the number of spaces available.
All applicants must have the first year of calculus and physics completed or in progress. Priority is given to those who earn straight A’s and exceed these minimum requirements.
Transfer applicants must submit proof of credit or in-progress work for a minimum of four technical courses—math, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, computer science or engineering—including:
MATH 408D, 408L or 408M
PHYS 303K and 103M
To be most competitive, applications should undertake additional technical coursework.
Ensure that your credits transfer to the corresponding UT prerequisite courses by utilizing these free and official credit equivalency tools.
Engineering Application Tips
It is critical that you do your research before applying. Reviewers have high expectations that you have a clear idea why you are applying to your desired engineering discipline and how you hope a UT education helps you after graduation.
You should research the different curricula and resources for the many Engineering majors to choose the one that’s your best fit. One way to articulate why you want to study something or pursue a path is to, in your essays, acknowledge a few alternatives and why they interest you less.
In your Essay A Statement of Purpose, tell your reviewer Why UT by identifying a few specific professors, research opportunities, student organizations, etc., that interest you. Pinpointing reasons why you’re applying will help separate your application from others. Saying “UT is the best Engineering program in Texas” or “Austin is a wonderful city” is not enough.
Also consider discussing how you bring a unique perspective to campus and classroom discussions and how you see yourself as a leader on UT’s campus.
You should also consider discussing in your Essay E Issue of Importance a relevant engineering problem and potential solution especially if you can connect it with your first choice major.
For your resume, it is important to expand upon and elaborate as much as possible any relevant Engineering specific or STEM experience generally and how they support your first choice major. I understand not everyone will have relevant experience, but a record of pursuing your interests is critical in the transfer admissions process.
You might also want to check out these related Engineering programs in different Colleges and Schools:
Science and Technology Management, McCombs School of Business
Supply Chain Management, McCombs School of Business
Environmental Science in the College of Natural Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, or the Jackson School of Geosciences
Geological Sciences or Geosystems Engineering, Jackson School of Geosciences
Urban Studies, College of Liberal Arts
Geography, College of Liberal Arts
Computer Science, College of Natural Sciences
Astronomy, College of Natural Sciences
Applied Mathematics, College of Natural Sciences
Space Sciences, Physics, College of Natural Sciences
Computational Physics, College of Natural Sciences