Aerospace Engineering at UIUC

The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois has one of the best engineering programs in the country. With approximately 8,000 undergraduate engineers across 15 different concentrations,

 the Grainger community is a tight knit one that provides amazing interdisciplinary connections. As an Aerospace Engineering major, I take almost entirely all science, math, and physics classes. Grainger engineers hit the ground running, and are taking disciplined classes the moment we step on campus. In just about all of these classes, there is at least one component where I am collaborating with my peers to complete assignments/projects. There is a big emphasis on teamwork in my classes because in the industry, it’s rarely an individual effort. Some of my professors even encourage creating study groups and working together on individual homework assignments, because they know just how hard the material can be at times. In no way is AeroE an easy major, but with the right resources and connections, it’s very manageable and fun!

Admission Statistics and Strengths

UIUC’s Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program is ranked #5 in the country. There are approximately 500 Aerospace Engineering majors across all undergraduate levels, with roughly 120 people admitted in each year. This makes AeroE one of the smaller engineering majors, but in being a smaller major the connections you can make are more profound and sincere. 

SAT/ACT test scores are optional, but the averages for the College of Engineering are 1490 and 33, respectively. Also, the average unweighted GPA for admitted engineers is between a 3.75 and a 4.0. This makes this majoring in AeroE very competitive, and means you should be at the top of your high school class to increase your chance of acceptance. However, more than just grades and test scores come into play when discussing admissions. Colleges, especially Grainger at UIUC, want to see that you are involved in your school/community and willing to work to make a difference. About 96% of undergraduate students are involved in an RSO (registered student organization) on campus, so any involvement you can provide will strengthen your application. 

One strength that this university has is its amazing faculty. Specifically for Aerospace Engineering, many of the faculty on campus have worked for NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and many more distinguished companies in the aerospace industry. The experience that they can share with students is like no other, and I’m excited that I’m able to learn from some of the best in the industry. In addition, the resources that are given to the students in the College of Engineering are state of the art, and not always available at other universities. I am able to use many different softwares and have access to the country’s largest engineering library, all with no additional charges. Also, the alumni that UIUC Engineering has is amazing and are still actively involved in the community. In addition, there are numerous classrooms, labs, and research facilities where groundbreaking discoveries happen consistently.

My Aerospace Experience

My overall experience of AeroE has been a positive one. I have learned so much, much more than I ever thought I possibly could, and I still have two more years to go! It is common knowledge that engineering is known for its lack of female representation, but what people don’t tell you is that the women in engineering are some of the sweetest, kindest, most brilliant people I’ve ever met. These connections I have made, especially with the women in my major, are ones that I know will last a lifetime.

My favorite course that I have taken so far is AE202: Aerospace Flight Mechanics. I love it so much because it was the first aerospace technical course that I have taken in college. This class was a general introduction to flight mechanics (both space and air) and in this class was the moment I realized that I chose the right major. Sitting in this class, learning about things like orbital mechanics, aerodynamics, flight environments, all these big words I had heard but never really knew what they meant, has really opened my eyes to just how amazing aerospace can be. It was like I got a little taste, and it makes me so excited to take more classes just like this one. 

Are You Interested?

Are you interested in Aerospace Engineering and UIUC? Get in touch with your PathIvy counselor today to ensure you are on the right path to acceptance!

Written by Cathy Maali, PathIvy UIUC Ambassador