Change or Declare Your Engineering Pre-Major
The college is implementing an admit to major process that will utilize one application for all engineering programs. This new process goes beyond the traditional grade metric and incorporates a multi-factor review through which the voices and stories of all of our aspiring engineering students can be told.
Only students enrolled within the College of Engineering are permitted to participate in this admission to major process.
Starting Autumn 2023
In order to implement a transparent and equitable admission process and recognizing the challenges in meeting the demand and space availability in popular majors, effective Autumn 2023 the college will limit enrollment options for all Columbus and Regional campus students pursuing the following majors:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering (ENG) / Computer and Information Science (ASC)
- Mechanical Engineering
Prospective Ohio State students (freshmen and transfers) interested in one of these majors will need to apply to the major during the undergraduate admissions process.
Current Ohio State students may continue to switch into these pre-major programs through Summer 2023. Starting Autumn 2023, students will no longer be permitted to switch into these pre-major programs. Alternatively, students will be offered the opportunity to switch into pre-major or major programs that have capacity.
Current Engineering Pre-Majors
There are no requirements for students currently enrolled in an engineering pre-major to meet in order to switch to a new pre-major. Current engineering pre-majors should contact an academic advisor in their new desired pre-major in order to request the change.
Students Outside the College of Engineering
When to Request to Change
Students are required to be enrolled in the College of Engineering to participate in the admission to major process, students should request to change as soon as possible. Students can submit a request to change during the semester they are completing the eligibility criteria. For example, if a student is currently enrolled in Math 1172 and has already completed their science course, they are encourage to submit a request.
Note: Requests from students currently enrolled in their eligibility coursework at another college/university may be delayed. Requests can only be reviewed once all transfer credit is received and processed by Ohio State. Students unable to transfer their credit before the the next semester begins will need to resubmit their request to change into the college after the next semester.
How to Change
Those students interested in engineering and enrolled in a programs outside of the College of Engineering are encouraged to change into the college as soon as they meet the criteria. Students should submit a Change to Engineering Pre-Major request form by the deadline listed below.
To understand your interests in our programs, students will be asked to indicate the three majors they are most interested within the college. Students will apply to three majors within the College of Engineering during the admission to major process. These selections do not commit students to these majors. Students will be changed into their first choice pre-major program if their request is approved.
Students interested in completing a dual degree with a non-engineering and an engineering major must be enrolled in an engineering pre-major in order to participate in the admission to major process. Students currently enrolled in their first major/degree outside of Engineering should complete this form. Students will indicate their desire to complete a dual degree on the change request form.
After review, a second degree program will be to the student’s academic record with enrollment in the desired engineering pre-major. This allows the student to maintain enrollment in their current major/degree and be enrolled in an engineering pre-major.
Those students interested in engineering and enrolled in a programs outside of the College of Engineering are encouraged to change into the college as soon as they meet the criteria.
Students who have been academically dismissed from the College of Engineering will need to submit a petition for reinstatement along with this request.
Students will need to contact an academic advisor in their desired pre-major and submit a petition for reinstatement. This petition must be approved before the posted deadline to change into an engineering pre-major (above).
Request forms submitted without a reinstatement petition will not be able to be processed
2022-2023 Academic Year
Students will be permitted to change into any College of Engineering pre-major program who meet the requirements in option 1 or 2:
Option 1:
-
have a 2.5 or better cumulative OSU GPA
-
have earned 12 hours or more of graded OSU credit*
-
have completed Calculus II (Math 1172 or 1152); or direct equivalent transfer or EM credit for Math 1152 or higher
-
have credit for one of Chemistry 1210, Chemistry 1250, or Physics 1250
Option 2:
-
have a 2.5 or better cumulative OSU GPA
-
have earned 12 hours or more of graded OSU credit*
-
have completed Fundamentals of Engineering I (ENGR 1181 or 1281); or direct equivalent transfer or EM credit
*excluding terms of enrollment through post-secondary enrollment programs such as Academy
2023-2024 Academic Year (Summer 2023)
Students will be permitted to change into any College of Engineering pre-major program who meet the following requirements:
-
have a 2.0 or better cumulative OSU GPA
-
have earned 12 hours or more of graded OSU credit*
-
have earned credit or enrolled in Calculus I (Math 1151) during the proposed first semester in the engineering pre-major
*excluding terms of enrollment through post-secondary enrollment programs such as Academy

Summer 2023
Effective Autumn 2023
Requests Accepted May 15, 2023 to August 25, 2023
2023-2024 Academic Year (Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024)
Students will be permitted to change into one of the following College of Engineering pre-major programs:
- Aviation Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Industrial & Systems Engineering
- Food, Agr. & Biological Engineering
- Materials Science & Engineering
- Welding Engineering
who meet the following requirements:
-
have a 2.0 or better cumulative OSU GPA
-
have earned 12 hours or more of graded OSU credit*
-
have earned credit or enrolled in Calculus I (Math 1151) during the proposed first semester in the engineering pre-major
*excluding terms of enrollment through post-secondary enrollment programs such as Academy

Autumn 2023
Effective Spring 2024
Requests Accepted: August 28, 2023 to January 12, 2024

Spring 2024
Effective Summer 2024
Requests Accepted: January 16, 2024 to May 10, 2024
Review and Notification
Requests to change into the college are reviewed at the end of each semester. Students will be notified one week after final grades are due. Students that meet the eligibility criteria will automatically be changed into their requested pre-major program. Students that have submitted a request form and no longer wish to change into the college should ask the desired pre-major program to cancel their request form.