How do people get into engineering clubs in college?

[Anonymous]

By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Employers do not care one iota if your student is at an Engineering school known for having the smartest peer group (MIT, Stanford, Ivies with real engineering, UCB, CalTech, CMU, Rice, GT).

[Anonymous]

^+JHU, Northwestern

[Anonymous]

Employers don't care but yes, clubs for engineering, tech, business and medicine at most top30 universities have become impossible to join. At my child's school they routinely have a 2-3% admit rate and are mainly based on who the current members know. Membership decisions are made by 19-21 year olds. They're not exactly unbiased.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

The 20yos in charge likely dont want to manage a thousand members. Look for another or form your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Employers don't care but yes, clubs for engineering, tech, business and medicine at most top30 universities have become impossible to join. At my child's school they routinely have a 2-3% admit rate and are mainly based on who the current members know. Membership decisions are made by 19-21 year olds. They're not exactly unbiased.

More like top 50. Even places like ASU or the lower tier UCs have this toxic culture

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Employers don't care but yes, clubs for engineering, tech, business and medicine at most top30 universities have become impossible to join. At my child's school they routinely have a 2-3% admit rate and are mainly based on who the current members know. Membership decisions are made by 19-21 year olds. They're not exactly unbiased.

More like top 50. Even places like ASU or the lower tier UCs have this toxic culture

This. It is everywhere. At least at elite/ivy there is funding to start new clubs and paid research spots with faculty to build the resume outside of the rejective clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Employers do not care one iota if your student is at an Engineering school known for having the smartest peer group (MIT, Stanford, Ivies with real engineering, UCB, CalTech, CMU, Rice, GT).

Many employers don't, but some employers do. Names open doors, including doors to some engineering companies for jobs that require the engineers to have the ability to read latest research articles, help prepare proposals to DoD/DoE/NIH, and/or work with university partners. Companies like Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL), United Technologies Research Center (UTRC, now part of Raytheon), and Lockheed Martin, to name just a few on the northeast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Employers do not care one iota if your student is at an Engineering school known for having the smartest peer group (MIT, Stanford, Ivies with real engineering, UCB, CalTech, CMU, Rice, GT).

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Employers don't care but yes, clubs for engineering, tech, business and medicine at most top30 universities have become impossible to join. At my child's school they routinely have a 2-3% admit rate and are mainly based on who the current members know. Membership decisions are made by 19-21 year olds. They're not exactly unbiased.

Even if employers don't care, it's an important part of college life for some students. My kid made availability of engineering design clubs her primary criterion when evaluating schools. It sucks that everything is so competitive and random.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Employers don't care but yes, clubs for engineering, tech, business and medicine at most top30 universities have become impossible to join. At my child's school they routinely have a 2-3% admit rate and are mainly based on who the current members know. Membership decisions are made by 19-21 year olds. They're not exactly unbiased.

DC made it through 3 rounds of interviews for medical club but didn’t make final cut. She heard after it was bc 1-2 members missed the meeting to vouch for her. She’s wondering if she should try again now that she has more friends/connections in the club to support her.

It’s so tough and hard on the ego but also wonder if these clubs even matter for pre-med. DH and I are both physicians and don’t remember these clubs mattering at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Employers don't care but yes, clubs for engineering, tech, business and medicine at most top30 universities have become impossible to join. At my child's school they routinely have a 2-3% admit rate and are mainly based on who the current members know. Membership decisions are made by 19-21 year olds. They're not exactly unbiased.

DC made it through 3 rounds of interviews for medical club but didn’t make final cut. She heard after it was bc 1-2 members missed the meeting to vouch for her. She’s wondering if she should try again now that she has more friends/connections in the club to support her.

It’s so tough and hard on the ego but also wonder if these clubs even matter for pre-med. DH and I are both physicians and don’t remember these clubs mattering at all.

My daughter made it through 5 rounds of cuts for the pre-med club (5 days of events!) and was cut. It was ridiculous.
We are also both physicians and certainly didn't do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Employers don't care but yes, clubs for engineering, tech, business and medicine at most top30 universities have become impossible to join. At my child's school they routinely have a 2-3% admit rate and are mainly based on who the current members know. Membership decisions are made by 19-21 year olds. They're not exactly unbiased.

DC made it through 3 rounds of interviews for medical club but didn’t make final cut. She heard after it was bc 1-2 members missed the meeting to vouch for her. She’s wondering if she should try again now that she has more friends/connections in the club to support her.

It’s so tough and hard on the ego but also wonder if these clubs even matter for pre-med. DH and I are both physicians and don’t remember these clubs mattering at all.

My daughter made it through 5 rounds of cuts for the pre-med club (5 days of events!) and was cut. It was ridiculous.
We are also both physicians and certainly didn't do this.

That’s insane!! Will your DD try again? I feel for our kids, especially bc I don’t quite see the utility of pre-med club over business/engineering where it’s important for connections or recruiting. Maybe for community and advice…

[Anonymous]

Most likely restricting membership is against university rules. In general if a club receives college funding, or uses the college facilities, which ultimately come from student fees, they must be open to the entire student body.

Look for another club that’s close to your interest. Or found another one, it’s going to be a more meaningful experience than begging a bunch of kids accept you in their ranks. In grad school I founded a club, applied to grants from the university for over $50k, organized events, had guests on campus etc. it shows initiative, and you get to be in the leadership from the get go if that’s what you’re after. It’s a lot of work but it’s also rewarding, and it’s a great learning experience.

I find it amusing when people complain about trying five time to get into a club without success. Sorry, but that’s the ultimate sheep mentality and it shows such a lack of initiative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By engineering clubs, I mean racing teams like formula or Baja, rocket teams, DBF, hyperloop, and similar organizations that have an annual competition. At most large universities like the UCs or Michigan, these clubs are highly selective and reject most students that try to join. You have to submit an application and interview to try to get in. There were 200+ students competing for 15-25 spots. Plenty of students who did things like robotics in high school get rejected from engineering clubs in college. I hate how these places act like fraternities and are so hard to get in, spirally when so many employers care about being in these clubs

Why can’t your kid do the work to start a club he’s interested in if it’s so difficult. Colleges can have multiple teams in one competition. He shouldn’t be only a taker, maybe bring something to the community he’s part of.