First Year Undergraduate Students

To continue in a College of Engineering (CoE) degree program after direct admission or to be considered for admission to a CoE degree program after enrollment at UW-Madison as a part of another engineering classification, students must complete the General College Requirements after two semesters of residency at UW-Madison. During your second semester on campus, you will take action and apply or declare your intent to progress in your program of choice.

Progressing in an alternate CoE major (for 2nd semester pre-progression CoE students and students on a placement extension)

After initial progression review, students denied progression in their intended engineering program may have the option to progress in an alternate engineering major. This is commonly referred to as a ‘2nd choice major’ option.

The engineering majors available to you as a 2^nd choice are determined by course completion and GPA benchmarks for automatic program progression.

Refer to your progression decision letter for options, instructions, and deadlines.

Things to consider when exploring alternate majors:

• Many paths lead to the same end goal.
  Learn about your options to make an informed decision. Could you reach your career goals with another engineering major? Your academic advisor, Engineering Career Services, and online resources can help.
• What do you want to learn about?
  Could your academic interests can be realized in another major? Review the requirements, electives, options, and focus areas for available 2^nd choice engineering majors, as well as additional majors or certificates you could pursue.
• Make the most of this new opportunity.
  Don’t progress in an alternate major with the expectation to transfer to a different engineering program at a later time. Interdepartmental transfer is possible, but it is competitive and not guaranteed.

Choosing a one-semester, non-placement extension (for pre-progression CoE students)

Students offered a second choice may choose a one-semester, non-placement extension rather than progress in an alternate engineering program.

If you choose this option, you may reapply for non-automatic progression consideration next semester. Your grades, grade trends, rigor of completed coursework, and written statement(s) will be evaluated. Progression is not guaranteed when on a non-placement extension, even if you meet GPA benchmarks for your intended program.

If denied progression, you will need to leave the College of Engineering (CoE) and will not be given the option to progress in an alternate engineering major.

Considering taking a non-placement extension? Make sure you:

• Seek advising:
  Advisors can connect you with resources and help you make informed decision.
• Create a plan for academic success:
  How will you maximize your academic success, given the resources available to you?
• Establish a parallel plan outside CoE:
  This may include pursuing another major at UW-Madison or transferring to another institution.

Questions about progression?
Contact your engineering academic advisor or coeprogression@engr.wisc.edu

Parallel Plans

As a pre-progression student, we encourage you to think early and often about your academic and career goals. This includes exploring and affirming your intended engineering major, as well as establishing a parallel plan if unable to progress in your intended major. Many paths often lead to the same end goal; creating a parallel plan is a smart way to cover your bases.

Your parallel plan might include pursuing an alternate engineering program in CoE or another major at UW-Madison. Some students choose to transfer to another university to continue in their preferred engineering discipline. Regardless of your plans, make sure you understand admission and program requirements for your parallel plan, including GPA benchmarks if considering a parallel CoE program.

Remember, your undergraduate education is about more than your major. Internships, undergraduate research, volunteering, and student organizations provide invaluable experience that will shape your career trajectory.

See the explore tab for resources.

Advising for Parallel Plans
There are many campus resources, in addition to your assigned academic advisor, to support you as you establish your parallel plans:

All first year students are required to attend a group advising presentation and turn in a course planning form for their upcoming semester courses. Review the advising updates to make informed choices for your course selection.

It is also important to know where you are at in meeting GPA requirements for progression. Use this worksheet to calculate your core GPA.

Need a refresher on the Group Advising presentation? You can find it here. Please keep in mind that there have been significant changes since the week of in-person Group Advising in Spring 2020. Refer to your advisor if you have questions about these changes.

Exploring Engineering Majors 

The College of Engineering has resources for you in helping to make the decision of what major you might like to pursue. Keep in mind that exploring majors through course selection can be challenging while pursuing an engineering degree. Be sure to speak with your academic advisor about your plans and be open to exploration through experiences outside of the classroom.

Another tool that can be helpful is the Choosing a Major page. Our exploration tool provides insight into the majors that match your interests and goals.

Exploring Alternate Majors at UW-Madison

Online Tools and Assessments

Parallel Plans

As a pre-progression student, we encourage you to think early and often about your academic and career goals. This includes exploring and affirming your intended engineering major, as well as establishing a parallel plan if unable to progress in your intended major. Many paths often lead to the same end goal; creating a parallel plan is a smart way to cover your bases.

Your parallel plan might include pursuing an alternate engineering program in CoE or another major at UW-Madison. Some students choose to transfer to another university to continue in their preferred engineering discipline. Regardless of your plans, make sure you understand admission and program requirements for your parallel plan, including GPA benchmarks if considering a parallel CoE program.

Remember, your undergraduate education is about more than your major. Internships, undergraduate research, volunteering, and student organizations provide invaluable experience that will shape your career trajectory.

See the explore tab for resources.

Advising for Parallel Plans
There are many campus resources, in addition to your assigned academic advisor, to support you as you establish your parallel plans:

Each College of Engineering program has academic advisors dedicated to serving its students. Program advisors can help current College of Engineering students with questions about accessing courses, navigating degree requirements, resolving academic issues, group advising, progression requirements, major exploration tools and more.

Take advantage of what advising has to offer and get to know your advisor your first semester on campus!

The College of Engineering has a variety of resources specifically for engineering students!

Whether it be academic or career support, studying abroad or getting involved in student organizations there are many opportunities to put your engineering interest and skills to work or find support.

• Academic support:
  • The Undergraduate Learning Center provides tutoring and other support services specifically for engineering students.
  • The Diversity Affairs Office is responsible for a variety of programs including the Leaders in Engineering Excellence Program (LEED). The benefits of being a LEED Scholar extend beyond the financial support–you become a member of a tight-knit, supportive community of peers, mentors and advisors. The LEED Scholars community is designed to attract academically talented women and students from groups historically underrepresented in the field of engineering.

• International experiences: International Engineering Studies and Programs provides a variety of semester, summer and year-long academic programs abroad that are specifically for engineering students that allow them to continue to make progress towards their degree.
• Career support: The Engineering Career Services office provides excellent professional resources and opportunities to create connections with engineering companies eager to hire Badger Engineers.

Visit the College of Engineering’s Beyond the Classroom page for more.