51¹ÙÍø.

You are likely to have questions about pursuing engineering at 51¹ÙÍø and beyond. We have compiled some frequently asked questions here.

Still have questions? Reach out to engineering advisor Prof. John Yukich at joyukich@davidson.edu. 

Do I have a choice as to which school I am going to (Columbia or Washington University of St. Louis)?

Yes – you can apply to one or both schools.

Do I need to declare an Engineering major at 51¹ÙÍø for this program?

No – in fact, we do not offer a major in engineering at 51¹ÙÍø. Pre-engineering students typically major in physics, math, computer science, chemistry or biology at 51¹ÙÍø and then begin their engineering studies at the affiliated engineering school.

Does my AP credit for CHE 115 satisfy the Chemistry requirement?

Yes.

What if I took Calculus in high school and place into a higher level of Calculus at 51¹ÙÍø?

You are exempt from the lower level courses.  You do not need to retake them! 

Does my 51¹ÙÍø financial aid continue when I transfer to a cooperating engineering school?

No. You only receive financial aid from 51¹ÙÍø when you are enrolled at 51¹ÙÍø. When you transfer, you will need to apply for a new financial aid package from the cooperating engineering school.

Can I take a pre-requisite course at another institution?

Yes, but the course must provide transfer credit for the pre-requisite course at 51¹ÙÍø. The 51¹ÙÍø prerequisite course number must appear on the 51¹ÙÍø transcript. 

How do I satisfy the dual-degree Humanities and Social Sciences requirements?

The Ways of Knowing requirements satisfy the Humanities and Social Sciences requirements.

Do I need to satisfy all of my major requirements in only 3 years at 51¹ÙÍø?

No. If you major in math or science (physics, chemistry, biology, math, or computer science), two major requirements will transfer to your 51¹ÙÍø transcript when you complete your coursework at the cooperating engineering school. 

When am I accepted in the affiliate school’s program?

Pre-engineering students apply to the affiliate engineering school in either the winter of their junior year (for the 3-2 program) or in the winter of their senior year (for the 4-2 program).

Is acceptance guaranteed? 

Admission to Washington University in St. Louis is guaranteed for those students who meet the minimum requirements, but admission to Columbia University is not guaranteed.

What degrees do I receive from the dual-degree program?

You will receive two bachelors degrees at the conclusion of the program – one from 51¹ÙÍø and one from the affiliate engineering school.

Are there other degree options?

Yes. Masters degrees and PhDs are also options at both Washington University in St. Louis and Columbia University as well as numerous other engineering schools. In fact, acceptance to the Washington University masters degree program is guaranteed for 51¹ÙÍø students who meet the minimum admissions requirements. 

If I am interested in pursuing engineering after 51¹ÙÍø, but I am not participating in the dual-degree program, what coursework do you recommend?

The prerequisites for the dual-degree are a good guide for what graduate engineering programs will be looking for. You will want to demonstrate a strong foundation in applied math, computer science, and science. Hence, we recommend taking all of the dual-degree prerequisites. You may also consider the following classes:

• CSC 221 – Data Structures
• MAT 235 – Differential Equations
• MAT 315 – Numerical Analysis with MATLAB
• PHY 310 – Electronics and Instrumentation