Many Paths to ECE
Many paths can lead to Illinois ECE, whether you're a high school student, a transfer student, or a current Grainger Engineer! Hear from ECE students about how they've found their perfect fit in our department and the avenues you can take to join us.
Trisha
Trisha's Path: Electrical Engineering → Computer Engineering
“The first two years of electrical and computer engineering cover a lot of foundational courses, and as an electrical engineering major, I was able to take a lot of computer engineering-related classes. My advisors helped me pick the right classes for me.”
Geovanny
Geovanny's Path: Mechanical Engineering → Computer Engineering
“Explore the different aspects of computer, of electrical, of mechanical, of neurological, of nuclear. Literally any kind of engineering that you want to pursue, U of I is able to support you through that.”
Matilde
Matilde's Path: Electrical Engineering
“It's completely fine to come into college not necessarily knowing exactly which major you like, and you definitely have a lot of opportunities within a college to switch majors and join research groups to understand if that field is actually something you're interested in.”
Steffen
Steffen's Path: Electrical Engineering → Computer Engineering
“I think one of the great parts about the ECE department is all the different sub-disciplines they offer, and that really influenced my journey through ECE.”
Meredith
Meredith's Path: Engineering Undeclared → Systems Engineering and Design → Computer Engineering
“The first two years, the curriculum overlaps a lot between electrical and computer. So if you don't really know the difference or which one you would like to apply to initially, they really allow you to investigate both fields. And then if you do want to switch between those majors, they make that process very simple.”
Rawnie
Rawnie's Path: Electrical Engineering
“U of I has a lot of resources for helping you navigate that first year of college, especially as an engineering student, because it can be academically demanding. But the biggest piece of advice I would give is not to be afraid of that. ... If you have that drive to work hard and make it happen, it will happen.”
Dominic
Dominic's path: Electrical Engineering → Computer Engineering
“Do you like to solve problems? Do you like to think outside the box? Because that's really all it is. You're not going to have a straight path in engineering. You're creating new things.”
Ready to Apply?
Start your application to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign! You can also request more information to receive communications from The Grainger College of Engineering.