How to apply to Engineering at Seattle University: four ABET-accredited BS programs in the College of Science and Engineering, direct entry or Pre-Engineering, the move to semesters from 2027, and requirements for US domestic, international (including Chinese) and transfer applicants

Seattle University is a Jesuit private university on the First Hill campus in central Seattle. Engineering is taught in the College of Science and Engineering. The undergraduate engineering majors on its website are Civil, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, each a Bachelor of Science (BS); Civil Engineering also has an environmental specialization. Computer science is in the same college, has its own guide on this site and is not covered here. This guide covers fall 2027 entry from Seattle University's website for US domestic applicants, international applicants (including applicants from China) and transfer students.

1. Degrees and how you enter a major

• Degrees and accreditation: each program page lists a BS, four years and 120 semester credits. The mechanical, civil, electrical and computer engineering pages each state ABET accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission.
• Direct entry: you can apply directly to your intended major and start in it from your first term. Applicants who don't meet a major's minimums may be admitted to a pre-major or advising program.
• Pre-Engineering: for students unsure which engineering field to choose, or who need prerequisites first. The page says it lets students explore engineering disciplines and meet necessary requirements. The pages I read do not state how students move from Pre-Engineering into a specific major (GPA cutoffs, course grades, limited places, any guarantee); ask the College of Science & Engineering Advising Center.
• Switching into engineering from another major: the conditions are not published; ask the Advising Center.
• Program features: the mechanical engineering page describes industry-mentored integrated design projects in years 1–3 and an industry-sponsored senior design project; the electrical engineering page also describes an industry-sponsored senior design project.

2. Moving to semesters from 2027

• Seattle University is moving from quarters to semesters. The mechanical engineering page publishes two plans: a semester plan for students who enroll in summer 2027 or later and a quarter plan for earlier students. Fall 2027 first-years follow the semester plan.
• The program pages say course offerings will be updated for the move; this guide follows the department's current four-year plan pages.

3. What you study (Mechanical Engineering semester plan as the example)

• Credits: at least 120 semester credits to graduate, 87 semester credits in the major, and major and cumulative GPAs of at least 2.0. The plan's notes say the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is required for graduation. Major credits and graduation requirements for the other three majors are not listed on the pages I read; see each program page and the catalog.
• Sample four-year plan:
  • Year 1: Calculus I and II, General Chemistry with lab, Mechanics with lab, Intro to Engineering Design and Manufacturing, Integrated Engineering Design Project I, plus University Core courses.
  • Year 2: Electricity and Magnetism, Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Statics, Dynamics, Engineering Methods, Mechanics of Materials.
  • Year 3: Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Fluid Dynamics, Materials Science, Machine Design I, Instrumentation and Data Acquisition I and II, Integrated Engineering Design Project II.
  • Year 4: Control Systems, Engineering Design I and II, a mechanical engineering elective and more University Core.
  The plan assumes students have reached the needed math starting point through SAT/ACT, the university placement or college credit.
• Two-year transfer plans: the mechanical, computer and electrical engineering pages also list two-year plans for junior transfer students.
• Internships: the mechanical engineering page mentions industry advising hours to help students find internships and jobs. A paid co-op program is not described on the pages I read; ask the college.

4. Preparation expected

• High school courses: the College of Science and Engineering asks for four units of college-prep math, with pre-calculus or equivalent preferred for most programs (complete or in progress), B grades preferred in math and science, and at least two lab sciences including chemistry. For Engineering the page adds one unit of general lab science, one unit of lab chemistry (B or higher preferred) and recommends one unit of lab physics. The university-wide minimum for first-years is English 4, math 3, social studies 3, lab science 2, foreign language 2, history 1 and 2 more academic units.
• Testing: tests are optional. If submitted, all science and engineering majors except Pre-Science and Pre-Engineering list minimums of SAT 560 and ACT 23; the page does not say whether these are composite or section scores. Seattle University takes the highest sub-scores.
• Interest: the page also asks for shown interest in STEM through coursework or activities.
• AP/IB credit: AP credit is capped at 45 credits; IB higher-level and some standard-level exams scored 5, 6 or 7 may earn credit and advanced standing, also capped at 45 credits (the page does not say quarter or semester credits). The pages I read do not list which AP/IB scores replace which engineering courses; check the university's AP/IB policy pages. Confirm exemptions with the department.

5. Rounds, fees and materials (fall 2027 entry)

• Early Action (non-binding, all majors): 1 November. The deadlines page says decisions come in late December; the international page says mid-December.
• Regular Decision: 15 January, decisions in early March. Early Decision is only for Nursing and Diagnostic Ultrasound, not engineering.
• Other terms: winter 1 November, spring 15 February, summer 15 May; the international page says new international students cannot start in summer and lists recommended dates of 1 October (winter) and 1 January (spring). International students should apply at least three months before the term. These pages do not print a year, so confirm the dates are for fall 2027.
• Materials: first-years use the Common App with a personal statement and a few short answers; the fee is $60 and non-refundable. An engineering-specific supplement is not described on the pages I read.

6. US domestic applicants

• Costs: 2026-27 (quarter system) full-time tuition is $59,400; the cost page lists a single rate with no in-state/out-of-state split. The on-campus budget is $82,726, including average housing of $11,202 and food of $6,426; the budget for living with parents or relatives is $71,146. Semester-system costs for 2027-28 are not yet published.
• Merit scholarships: first-year, transfer and international applicants are considered automatically, based on the application rather than finances, at least $8,000 a year and renewable up to four years for first-years.
• Aid: apply with the FAFSA or Washington's WASFA. The scholarships page also lists Washington's College Bound program (aid covering full demonstrated need for four years), the state's Washington College Grant and other awards; check eligibility there. Departmental scholarships point to the college's website, which I did not read.
• Priority or guaranteed admission for state residents: not published beyond the programs above.
• Exam fees: the cost page lists $65 engineering exam fees for civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.

7. International applicants

• Academics: transcripts for the equivalent of US grades 9–11 (and 12 if complete), at least three years; send national exam results too. Copies are accepted for review; official documents are needed before enrolling. Competitive applicants usually have the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Anyone who has taken college coursework after high school must apply as a transfer.
• Recommendations: two, from a classroom teacher and a school counselor or other official.
• Testing: the SAT and ACT are not required for international first-years or transfers. SAT reading and writing 500+ or ACT reading and English 20+ can replace an English test.
• English:
  • No English bridge (ELCB) courses: TOEFL 86, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120, PTE 58.
  • Admission with ELCB courses: TOEFL 68–85, IELTS at least 6.0, Duolingo 105–115, PTE 48–57, with diagnostic tests on the first day that may waive ELCB.
  • Course-based options: A/AS Level English Language, English Language and Literature or English General Paper at C or better; IB English A at 4+, or English B at 4 (HL) or 5 (SL); AP English Language or Literature at 3+ at a US or US-accredited school.
  • The most recent result counts, even if an earlier score was higher. The exempt-country list is on the international page; the FAQ says English-medium schooling alone does not lead to an automatic waiver.
• Finances: a pre-financial information form with the application (no proof needed); after you confirm enrollment, a declaration of finances and bank statements covering at least one year for the I-20. Health insurance for international students is $2,392 a year unless waived with comparable coverage.
• Scholarships and aid: international applicants are considered automatically for merit scholarships (at least $8,000 a year). There is no need-based aid and no scholarship covering all costs for international students. The enrollment deposit is $500 and international students pay it for every start term.

8. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the international page says students from countries with national exam systems (the examples include the Gaokao) should send copies of those results. It does not say how the Gaokao is weighed or converted; ask international admissions (international@seattleu.edu).
• Transcripts: send grade 9–11 transcripts plus grade 12 if complete, with certified English translations. Huikao (academic proficiency test) records are not mentioned.
• China-specific guidance: no China country page, interview or credential-evaluation requirement is published on the pages I read; check the international undergraduate page or write to the office.
• English, finances and scholarships are as in the previous section.

9. Transfer students

• Engineering transfer guides (one per major): recommended major GPA of at least 2.75.
  • Mechanical: Calculus I–III, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Statics, Dynamics, a year of calculus-based physics, General Chemistry with lab (one quarter recommended), Mechanics of Materials and CAD/SolidWorks; programming experience is beneficial.
  • Civil: one quarter of programming (Python, Java or C++), Calculus I–III, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Statics, a year of physics, General Chemistry with lab, Mechanics of Materials and CAD/SolidWorks; the Environmental track also needs one quarter of biology with lab.
  • Electrical and Computer: two quarters of programming, Calculus I–III, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus and a year of physics; Circuits I is required for the two-year graduation plan.
• Deadlines: fall priority 1 March. The final fall deadline is 1 August in the engineering transfer guides and 15 August on the transfer application page; winter 1 November, spring 15 February, summer 15 May.
• Materials: the transfer application (with an essay), official transcripts from every college, a high school transcript if you have fewer than 45 transferable quarter credits (30 semester credits), optional test scores and a $60 fee (waivers available).
• The guides use quarter-system course names that may change with semesters; check equivalencies with the university's transfer tool.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Apply on the Common App to a specific engineering major or Pre-Engineering by 1 November (EA) or 15 January (RD)
• Four years of math and at least two lab sciences including chemistry; tests optional (SAT 560 / ACT 23 if submitted)

International applicants (including China):

• Grade 9–11 transcripts plus grade 12 if complete, Gaokao or other national exam results, two recommendations
• TOEFL 86 or IELTS 6.5 avoids English bridge courses; financial documents after you confirm enrollment

Transfer students:

• Fall priority deadline 1 March; complete the calculus sequence and physics for your target major
• Aim for a major GPA of 2.75 or higher

Sources: Seattle University, College of Science and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering, BS; Mechanical Engineering four-year plan; Civil Engineering, BS; Electrical Engineering, BS; Computer Engineering, BS; Move to semesters; First-year admission requirements; Deadlines; International undergraduate admission; International FAQs; 2026-27 undergraduate cost of attendance; Undergraduate scholarships; Transfer application; Mechanical Engineering transfer guide; Civil Engineering transfer guide; Electrical Engineering transfer guide; Computer Engineering transfer guide. Courses follow the semester plan for students entering in summer 2027 or later; costs are 2026-27 figures; the deadline pages do not print a year, so confirm the dates are for fall 2027 entry. Check Seattle University for the latest details.