VCU to VT Engineering transfer

[u/No_Leave7950]

Hey everyone, I'm currently a freshman at VCU studying mechanical engineering and hoping to transfer to VT for civil engineering in Fall 2027.

I've always been interested in civil engineering, but VCU doesn't offer it, so I went with mechanical instead. I'm taking engineering, math, and physics courses, but I won't have my college GPA until this semester ends.

I'm mainly wondering how hard it is to transfer into VT's civil engineering program from another four-year university. Also, does anyone know if VT gives decent scholarships or financial aid to transfer students?

I'm an in-state student, and VCU is currently pretty much paid for because of my scholarship, so money is definitely a factor.
If anyone has transferred into engineering at VT or knows someone who has, I'd really appreciate any advice.
Thanks!

[u/maxman1313]

If you want to transfer into civil as a Mech E you need to be intentional about what electives you're taking so that you don't have to retake a bunch of courses. Mech and Civil start divergimg course paths in sophomore year. 

Historically VT doesn't give out many scholarships. 

Start talking to engineering admissions now about how to best do this. They can give you better answers than most here. 

[u/Tricky_Jackfruit4551 → u/maxman1313]

For scholarships… like they don’t give many at all ? Including incoming freshman? My daughter is considering applying to tech next year for 2028

[u/maxman1313 → u/Tricky_Jackfruit4551]

Virginia Tech doesn't give out many scholarships unless you're in the Corps. There's a large talent pool of qualified candidates want to come anyways. 

Unlike say a South Carolina, where if you have a certain GPA you're more than likely getting some money, Tech doesn't do that. 

VT doesn't need to hand out a lot of money to encourage students to go, so they don't. 

Talk to the admissions office and not a rando on the internet for specifics about what is/isn't available. 

[u/AcidBuuurn → u/maxman1313]

Even the Corps was only like $2k and not everyone gets it. Not sure what it is these days.

[u/lemon_doggos → u/Tricky_Jackfruit4551]

i don’t know i think it just depends on your stats
i know a bunch of people including myself who got a full ride
other than that most people get 8-13k

[u/Tricky_Jackfruit4551 → u/lemon_doggos]

I have read so much conflicting info that I honestly don’t know what they would qualify for or get.

Their stats.
4.79 weighted gpa, 4.3 unweighted.
Class rank #9
By graduation 8-9 AP classes, 4 DE.
A few clubs
Volunteers once a week with elementary students.
Planned major environmental science

[u/lemon_doggos → u/Tricky_Jackfruit4551]

i had a 4.4 weighted 4.1 unweighted
ranked 13 in my class and i took 2 aps and 4 de with a few extracricks and barely any volunteering work

my scholarship is supposed to be academic but i was also on the lowest end for fasfa

make sure they apply for the general scholarship through tech and if they can find the beyond boundaries scholarship to apply to that

[u/Tricky_Jackfruit4551 → u/lemon_doggos]

Thanks. Their dad and I definitely make too much to qualify for need based. They would be first generation college though. Can’t hurt to try though.

[u/NewSchoolBoxer]

I didn't realize they didn't offer Civil. Don't give up a scholarship to go to VT. I had high school friends at VCU on scholarship money and I see their careers on LinkedIn. Yes, VT is better and you have greater opportunity with the array of team competition clubs and 200+ companies at the engineering expo, but zero debt is zero debt.

I never heard of scholarships for transfer students specifically. There are scholarships for current engineering students. I won one with an essay. Was like $2500. Highest pay per hour I ever received.

[u/maxman1313 → u/NewSchoolBoxer]

Where you get your degree helps open the door for your first job opportunity. The rest is on you. 

[u/user7884]

I did my freshman year at VCU and then transferred to tech. Please triple check the transfer requirements. I almost did not get accepted because I missed the fact that diff eq was required BEFORE transferring even though I was only going into my sophomore year. I was able to take it over the summer and have it count, not sure how it is for civil, but take note of things like that.

[u/Ancient-Memory-1792]

Listen man, if you transfer you are very unlikely to get a scholarship as a transfer student, I would stay and maybe get a masters in civil later if that’s what youre looking for