Undergraduate Admissions

Transfer Credits and External Registration

Application

All incoming engineering students submit a general University admission application. Simply be sure to indicate Engineering Undecided (230100) as your first choice of major.

For additional information the admissions process (requesting a hard copy application, applying online, requesting a University catalog, etc.), please contact the University's Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Transfer Student Admissions

In general, our department requires a 3.0 QPA if transferring from CAS at Pitt or another University or a 2.5 QPA if transferring from Engineering at a Pitt Branch Campus. Each application is considered on its own merits, however.

Official admissions must be conducted through Pitt's Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 412-624-7164 or 412-624-7488. For additional information concerning transfer student admissions please refer to the transfer section of the undergraduate bulletin.

Special Student Admissions

The following are rules and procedures for applying as a special student at the school of engineering. The proper forms can be picked up in the administration office, 253 Benedum Hall.

Limited to non-degree seeking applicants who are academically qualified to attend a graduate or undergraduate course in the School of Engineering.
Evidence of academic level (collegiate or high school transcript) is required.
An applicant who has been dismissed from another college or university may not be accepted.
Eligibility for admission to each course will be determined by the appropriate graduate or undergraduate program coordinator at the time of registration.
Subsequent registrations as a special student are contingent upon previous academic performance and approval by the appropriate program coordinator(s).
Should a special student apply for admission to a degree program, a maximum of 12 credits may be applied to an undergraduate degree and 6 credits toward a graduate degree.
A special student is responsible for complying with all registration requirements and procedures, deadlines, dates, financial obligations, etc. This information is available in the Schedule of Classes published each term and can be obtained in the Registrar's Office, G-3 Thackeray Hall.

Freshman Engineering Program

All engineering freshmen pursue a common academic program consisting of mathematics, chemistry, physics, humanities/social science electives, and two specially designed engineering-oriented courses. These courses provide freshman students with an overview of the fields and methods of engineering; introduce certain skills basic to engineering; and acquaint students with the interaction of skills, techniques, logic, and creativity in engineering problem formulation and solving.

Freshman students also participate in an engineering seminar, conducted in part by the Freshman Engineering Leadership Team's student mentors. These seminars provide general information on the transition to college, discuss study skills, and provide an overview of the various engineering fields.

Upon completion of the first-year curriculum, students with a 2.00 (or higher) choose their major from any of the nine departments or programs.

Choosing a Department

In the spring of their freshman year, engineering students at Pitt have a big decision to make: What department are they going to go into?

The Freshman Engineering Office works with students to help them decide which area(s) of engineering is best for them. Learn more »