Still Turning Heads at 50: WashU's Engineering Dual Degree Opportunity

Trust me, I'm an engineer. In my job, that's a common phrase to see on a laptop sticker or a t-shirt. But I'm not an engineer. I hope you'll trust me anyway.

The engineering students I recruit and advise seem to trust me. I think it's because I offered them admission to engineering school based on just one unambiguous criterion: academic preparation. And accompanying that invitation was the assurance that they would pay only half tuition or less.

Proposals like those capture students' imagination. If they've grabbed your attention, too, take note: WashU's Engineering Dual Degree Program delivers on it promises.

Washington University in St. Louis is a private research institution with a student body of approximately 16,000, including nearly 3,000 in the McKelvey School of Engineering. The past decade has been dynamic for McKelvey. Research funding grew by 128%, the ranks of faculty and advisors increased significantly, the percentage of female undergraduates rose to 41%, and facilities expanded to seven buildings encompassing over 700,000 square feet.

The Dual Degree scene has been equally positive. The class that matriculated in 2024 is the largest in program history. Our students can now come from 110 liberal arts colleges that partner with us. Total enrollment is above 300, with the proportion of foreign nationals remaining steady at about one-third. As a bonus to our school's research endeavors, more than 30 current McKelvey PhD students are Dual Degree alumni.

Some 50 years after its inception, the Engineering Dual Degree Program appears to be more popular than ever. Emerging from a best-kept-secret status, this opportunity is resonating with today's STEM-oriented students. Why?

From a wide array of liberal arts colleges, we welcome many kinds of future engineers

• Those who want to begin college in a liberal arts environment before transitioning to engineering school
• Those who begin college with a desire to study engineering but need extra time to build relevant skills
• Those who have talent in mathematics and science but begin college unsure about engineering
• Those who, early in their early liberal arts college years, decide they want to pursue engineering studies
• Those who had unsuccessful engineering school applications and are seeking another chance at admission

By combining flexibility with predictability, we make engineering education accessible

• Students' Dual Degree journey begins with attendance at any of the 110 institutions affiliated with our program.
• A designated pre-engineering advisor assists students in making progress on the liberal arts degree while taking courses required for Dual Degree admission.
• Students submit the Dual Degree admission application to WashU during the third year at their liberal arts college.
• Applicants who have all required courses, minimum 3.25 GPA, and the endorsement of their pre-engineering advisor are admitted.
• Yes, that's it. No essays, no interviews, no recommendations. No impacted majors. No enrollment caps.

Through commitment to mutually beneficial policies, we help our school students thrive

• Admitted students most commonly follow our 3+3 track, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering in three years.
• The 3+3 track comes with automatic tuition discounts for six semesters: 50% in year one, 55% in year two, 60% in year three.
• Participants may opt out of the engineering master's degree by graduating with the engineering bachelor's degree in two years (i.e., a 3+2 track).
• Liberal arts college credits contribute to WashU's engineering degree(s), and WashU credits are used to complete the liberal arts degree.
• Dual Degree students reliably graduate from the McKelvey School of Engineering at a rate of 90% or higher.

Shaped by valuable growth at their best-fit liberal arts college, and motivated to succeed in technical training, Dual Degree students are well-rounded and well-respected assets to the McKelvey community. They are also well-supported. Resources enjoyed by all WashU students—affinity groups and professional organizations, co-ops and internships, entrepreneurial activity, faculty-led research, comprehensive advising, etc.—are coupled with services targeted to the Dual Degree community: a unique orientation program, focused career guidance, reserved university housing, and peer mentorship.

Whenever I reflect on any of our campus communities, I recall one of the myriad thoughtful remarks made by a wise former Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences: “We will be known for our students.”

Although you've just read a number of characteristics and statistics, I'm confident that you will remember the Engineering Dual Degree Program for the same reason that I'm so proud to be a part of it: students. Students you know. Students who are already on this pathway... students who seem like perfect candidates for this experience... students who will take this untraditional step because you were able to shed some light on it.

We love being known for these students. Trust me.