Applying to college is one of the most exciting and intimidating times in your life. You’re probably being bombarded with information and advice from your parents, academic counselors, and even friends. As current students, we’re here to tell you: it gets better! The application process can be made much easier if you know what to expect. Here’s our take on some of the questions high school students ask us the most.

I am considering engineering, but am not sure it’s the right fit. How do I know if I will like engineering?

At its core, engineering is about problem-solving and better understanding our world. Through problem-solving, we can improve the lives of people all around the world. If you are curious, inventive, creative, or just want to help others, engineering could be the right choice for you.

I don’t have the highest GPA or test scores. Do I still have a chance at getting into an engineering program?

Although requirements will vary between colleges, GPA and test scores can occasionally be a limiting factor. However, by no means do your test scores or GPA need to be perfect. Don’t let your numbers stop you from applying to an engineering program. Instead, emphasize your interest in engineering and your extracurricular activities in your application essays. Keep in mind that many students start in a non-engineering major and apply to transfer into engineering after a few semesters.

I want to do engineering but don’t know if I can handle the class load. What are the classes actually like?

During their first year, engineers will take a variety of core classes such as chemistry, physics, and calculus, some of which can be skipped if you have AP,  IB, or community college credit. In the second year and beyond, classes become more specialized and specific to your major with a strong emphasis on problem-solving and group, semester-long projects. Engineering classes are challenging, but there are many resources available including professors’ office hours, study groups, and free tutoring. There is also plenty of room in the general education requirements to take non-engineering classes.

I definitely want to study engineering. What can I do to improve my college application?

Challenge yourself and let it shine through in your application. Take the extra effort to try that AP physics class or study more for that next test. Get involved and pursue leadership positions in activities you are passionate about. Volunteer in your community and form genuine relationships with your teachers. Check out more application information here.

I like the idea of studying engineering, but I don’t know what field I want. What should I do?

The University of Illinois has a program called Engineering Undeclared that allows students extra time to explore a variety of engineering majors before declaring which they would like to pursue at the end of their first year. UIUC also allows students to switch majors, offers double majors, and provides a large number of minors and certificates if your interests fall into more than one area. Plenty of students also study one discipline but explore other disciplines through extracurricular activities. In any case, check out our What Should I Major In video series for an up-close look at the different engineering fields.