Direct admission is the fast-track to admission for first-year students who are interested in pursuing an engineering degree. Students who are considering engineering alongside other University of Iowa majors are encouraged to apply for admissions to the College of Engineering as their primary degree to take advantage of a variety of benefits and stay on time to graduate in four years.

Benefits of direct admission

• Support from and planning with a professional engineering advisor
• Access to competitive engineering scholarships
• Ability to change into different engineering majors without having to apply
• Access to a variety of opportunities, including: engineering-only courses, College-hosted events, the People in Engineering living-learning community, and the Engineering Makerspace.

Eligibility

Admission is guaranteed for new first-year students who meet the following criteria:

• Meet the high school course requirements, including completion of at least one year of higher math.
• Meet the Regent Admission Index (RAI) score equivalent of 265 or higher.
  • Each student’s cumulative GPA is reviewed during consideration for direct admission, with an emphasis on a student’s grades in math and science coursework.

We continue to accept updated grades and test scores of students admitted to the University of Iowa throughout their final year of high school if students are working to become eligible.

International student admission decisions are based on high school courses, GPA, and meeting the English proficiency requirement. ACT/SAT scores are optional but are encouraged for additional merit scholarship consideration.

Recommended coursework

In order to enroll in the recommended first-year engineering coursework, students should be prepared to enroll in Calculus 1 as well as chemistry and physics coursework for STEM majors. Preparation in mathematics in particularly important to the four-year academic plan. To assist in preparation for success in the first year, it is recommended that students have at least:

• One year of high school pre-calculus
• One year of high school physics.
• One year of high school chemistry.

How to apply

Graduating high school seniors should apply to the University of Iowa and choose any engineering major as their major of interest. Upon your admission to the University of Iowa, we will automatically review your application for direct admission to the college. Students uncertain of the desired engineering major are welcome to apply as "Undeclared Engineering" and choose their major when they are ready. 

Students not offered direct admission to the College of Engineering will join Iowa as an Engineering Interest student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences while they work to meet transfer admission criteria.

First-year admissions

Engineering interest and transfer students

Transfer admission is designed for students admitted to Iowa as Engineering Interest and those joining Iowa from another college or university. Upon meeting the admission criteria, current Iowa students are encouraged to submit the Change of College application in MyUI in advance of the next term. 

Criteria 

Complete the following courses with a B– or higher: 

• MATH:1550 Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus (or equivalent)
• Either CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I or PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I (the first semester of chemistry designed for majors or the first semester of calculus-based physics) or their equivalents. 

Overall grade-point average and additional coursework in math, science, and engineering are also considered. 

Transfer courses completed with a grade below a C– are not accepted by the College of Engineering and will not satisfy degree requirements.

Transfer admissions