Attrition Rates for Engineering Schools?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I was just speaking to a female engineering major who transferred out of VT after Freshman year and went on a mini tirade about her poor treatment as a female there. I was really surprised.

Most colleges are accepting more females than males (60/40) in recent years. It stands to reason that there are more females than males admitted to engineering programs. STEM admits for females have been steadily preferred and rising Consequently, it should not be surprising that certain treatment still exists, however unfortunate.

I can tell you almost certainly that Engineering programs are still admitting more males then females. They would love to reach equilibrium but its just not possible right now.

+100 can confirm from top ranked engineering, they cannot get above 30-40% females because so few apply

really? is it apply or are admitted?, my dd wants to do engineering, she s not an urm, will she have a hook just purely on her gender?

No it’s not a hook anymore. The ivy engineering program mine is in said the Engineering applicant ratio was “about the same” as admitted ratio. This school admits less than 5% of Engineering applicants, regular and early decision combined. À different ivy admits less than 3.5% for 2026 and 2027 according to reddit posts quoting that dean. Even if these programs have a 6% admit rate for females—so double—it is still much tougher admit rate than the arts&sciences programs at the same schools because the stats of the engineering applicant pool are always higher than the overall stats.

DP. I really think at this tier, it's about what the student brings to the college as well as statistical aspects. Mine (female) had engr awards but also had awards/portfolio in the arts, and this school particularly likes cross-disciplinary, multi-spike kids. And, dept strives for 50/50 male/female which is also helpful. It's the coming together of many facets, I think.

Can you give examples of colleges for e that are on this level? Are you talking about penn cmu mit Stanford type of schools ?

Like another PP said, not schools that don't emphasize crossover. I was thinking primarily Ivies (especially Brown/Yale/Dartmouth who prioritize arts, and Brown is close to 50/50) (but not Cornell, not sure about Columbia), Stanford. I think this kind of candidate would also stand out at the likes of Tufts, Lehigh, Lafayette, and those would have options for a multi-spike. Even Olin might be good with its emphasis on out-of-the-box creativity and links to Wellesley and Babson.
So, engineer girls, join Society of Women Engineers, rocket club/team, and/or robitics team, AND dig into the arts, especially something that might have crossover value. Metal-smithing? Sculpture? Digital design? Maybe set/light design or even just unrelated arts -- voice, theatre, film. Any creativity is good, and any way to quantify with awards, even better.

Ths is a really helpful post. I just looked at the SWE website and it seems you have to be in college or older to join? Can HS girls join? I love the idea of connecting engineer to something else, would outreach count instead of an art?

I know there are HS chapters. My kid is in one. They won an international championship which definitely added to the college app. But, SWE can be more social, exploration-based, or networking. It doesn't have to be competition based. Your kid could contact SWE, find a faculty sponsor and start a chapter.

I think outreach could be cool too. Hard to say without details. I've been college consultant for a few stem girls with Ivy admissions, and they all had blend of stem and arts. But, I think it's the cross-disciplinary aspect that is appealing.

thanks! faculty sponsor like as in female teacher of a stem subject or as in a faculy that is a part of swe already?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:DD at Penn. 40% female per data- thought it feels lower to her. No attrition in Freshman year.

My DD is Engineering there too! Freshman! Loves it !

UPenn or Penn state?

You know we mean upenn when we say Penn. Don’t be a troll.

People on this board are hilarious. Penn State is very strong in engineering. It's ACTUALLY possible that someone wasn't sure which one you meant. Your snark makes me chuckle and I feel a little bad for your worldview.

When you go to Penn you call it Penn , when you cant go there you call it UPenn

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I was just speaking to a female engineering major who transferred out of VT after Freshman year and went on a mini tirade about her poor treatment as a female there. I was really surprised.

Most colleges are accepting more females than males (60/40) in recent years. It stands to reason that there are more females than males admitted to engineering programs. STEM admits for females have been steadily preferred and rising Consequently, it should not be surprising that certain treatment still exists, however unfortunate.

I can tell you almost certainly that Engineering programs are still admitting more males then females. They would love to reach equilibrium but its just not possible right now.

+100 can confirm from top ranked engineering, they cannot get above 30-40% females because so few apply

really? is it apply or are admitted?, my dd wants to do engineering, she s not an urm, will she have a hook just purely on her gender?

No it’s not a hook anymore. The ivy engineering program mine is in said the Engineering applicant ratio was “about the same” as admitted ratio. This school admits less than 5% of Engineering applicants, regular and early decision combined. À different ivy admits less than 3.5% for 2026 and 2027 according to reddit posts quoting that dean. Even if these programs have a 6% admit rate for females—so double—it is still much tougher admit rate than the arts&sciences programs at the same schools because the stats of the engineering applicant pool are always higher than the overall stats.

DP. I really think at this tier, it's about what the student brings to the college as well as statistical aspects. Mine (female) had engr awards but also had awards/portfolio in the arts, and this school particularly likes cross-disciplinary, multi-spike kids. And, dept strives for 50/50 male/female which is also helpful. It's the coming together of many facets, I think.

Can you give examples of colleges for e that are on this level? Are you talking about penn cmu mit Stanford type of schools ?

Like another PP said, not schools that don't emphasize crossover. I was thinking primarily Ivies (especially Brown/Yale/Dartmouth who prioritize arts, and Brown is close to 50/50) (but not Cornell, not sure about Columbia), Stanford. I think this kind of candidate would also stand out at the likes of Tufts, Lehigh, Lafayette, and those would have options for a multi-spike. Even Olin might be good with its emphasis on out-of-the-box creativity and links to Wellesley and Babson.
So, engineer girls, join Society of Women Engineers, rocket club/team, and/or robitics team, AND dig into the arts, especially something that might have crossover value. Metal-smithing? Sculpture? Digital design? Maybe set/light design or even just unrelated arts -- voice, theatre, film. Any creativity is good, and any way to quantify with awards, even better.

Ths is a really helpful post. I just looked at the SWE website and it seems you have to be in college or older to join? Can HS girls join? I love the idea of connecting engineer to something else, would outreach count instead of an art?

I know there are HS chapters. My kid is in one. They won an international championship which definitely added to the college app. But, SWE can be more social, exploration-based, or networking. It doesn't have to be competition based. Your kid could contact SWE, find a faculty sponsor and start a chapter.

I think outreach could be cool too. Hard to say without details. I've been college consultant for a few stem girls with Ivy admissions, and they all had blend of stem and arts. But, I think it's the cross-disciplinary aspect that is appealing.

thanks! faculty sponsor like as in female teacher of a stem subject or as in a faculy that is a part of swe already?

Any teacher can be a club sponsor, typically.

[Anonymous]

penn grad married to penn state grad--i cringe when he calls it upenn LOL