Summer Orientation

We look forward to meeting new students at one of our summer orientation sessions! Here are some important details about summer advising and enrollment.

Students walking in front Rice Hall

A Welcome Message from Dean Jennifer West

Build Your UVA Community

At UVA Engineering we don't just talk about making the world a better place -- we put that mission into practice every day — and we hope you will choose to join our community of engineering leaders.  
 

As an undergraduate student, you'll have immediate opportunities for impact, from fighting cancer through biomedical research, to leveraging aerospace knowledge to launch a rocket into the atmosphere, to working with civil engineering faculty in South Africa to produce lifesaving water filters.  

Summer Bridge Program

UVA Engineering's Summer Bridge Program is a free, three-week summer program that introduces first-year students to Grounds and the many opportunities and resources available to UVA Engineering students.

We Build Engineering Leaders

We believe in creating an exceptional student experience to help our future engineers succeed academically and grow as people — at UVA and beyond. Our First-Year Engineering Center creates a strong foundation for first-year undergraduate students, combining instruction and advising for added support during this important time of transition from high school to college.  
 

UVA Engineering students also benefit from opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, undergraduate research, entrepreneurship initiatives and global experiences — all of which build the collaboration and problem-solving skills that will be needed as they progress through their careers and lives.

  • First-year engineering students during their capstone presentation

    First-Year Engineering Center

    The First-Year Engineering center is led by a dedicated cohort of engineering faculty who both teach and advise first-year students, providing guidance on academics as well as cultivating essential engineering mindsets.

  • MARS team in front of of NASA sign

    Experiential Learning

    Experiential learning opportunities allow students to participate in hands-on design, build and competition teams that span multiple engineering disciplines and give them real-world experience in applying knowledge to solve problems.

  • Dori Beck working in lab

    Undergraduate Research Experiences

    At UVA Engineering, we strongly encourage undergraduate students to work with faculty and graduate students in our world-class laboratories.

  • Students discuss entrepreneurial ventures

    Entrepreneurial Initiatives

    UVA Engineering's VentureForward program provides engineering students, faculty, and staff with seed funding, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training.

  • Prof. Ros Berne talks with students at an ECSI event

    Engineering Ethics and Character Strength

    UVA Engineering embeds ethics into the curriculum, integrating a deep understanding of technology with broad perspectives about society and culture.

  • Students during a J-Term experience in Argentina

    Global Experiences

    UVA Engineering's global experiences help students develop new perspectives and cross-cultural competencies essential for engineering leadership. 

Explore Our Academic Programs

UVA Engineering offers 11 majors and 14 minors.

Supporting Our Students

Embedded Student Support

UVA Engineering has dedicated staff located within the engineering school to help students succeed academically, personally and professionally throughout their journeys

Career Development

The Center for Engineering Career Development prepares students to make smart, strategic career decisions throughout their professional lives through comprehensive advising, counseling and programming.

Academic Resources

At UVA Engineering, we support students with holistic advising and academic support, including peer-to-peer tutoring and academic coaching.

Center for Connection in Engineering (The Connect)

The Connect is UVA Engineering's hub for student belonging, support and community-focused programming.

Accelerate Your Career

As a UVA Engineering student, you'll have access to UVAccelerate, which allows you to apply to an M.E. program during your third year of undergraduate study and identify the fastest path to your graduate degree.

  • UVA’s Moon Robot Collects Awards in NASA’s Lunabotics Challenge

    UVA Engineering’s moon rover team won top innovation and other awards at the 2025 NASA competition by drawing on tried-and-true engineering principles and past experience.

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  • UVA Engineering Rocketry Soars at IREC

    Big win for UVA Engineering! With a nearly perfect launch to 10,019 feet and a flawless recovery, the team is making serious waves in only its second year competing.

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  • From Design to Completion, 6 Capstone Students Build Steel Bridge in Record Time

    Students build a 20-foot structurally sound steel bridge under heavy time constraints.

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  • For These Third-Graders, Chemical Engineering Is Now Elementary

    UVA Engineering students stemmed the way for a group of third-graders to have some hands-on lessons in chemical engineering.

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  • Innovative Research Earns Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Coveted Scholarship

    Prestigious Goldwater Scholarships award top U.S. undergraduates up to $7,500 per year in academic support in addition to tuition and fees.

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Make the Most of Your Experience

We encourage engineering students to serve as leaders in organizations across Grounds and welcome alumni who return to speak with students about career paths and industry insights.

  • Engineering Student Council

    Engineering Student Council is the representative body for undergraduate students at UVA Engineering provides a cohesive voice for the school’s undergraduate student body.

  • Engineering Clubs and Groups

    Learn more about the professional societies, design teams and other student organizations you can join as a UVA Engineering student!

  • Hoos Involved

    UVA is home to over 700 student organizations, more than 12,000 events annually, and dozens of spaces and places to make your own.

Meet Our Alumni Community

UVA Engineering alumni represent a powerful force for innovation and leadership. Whether leading Fortune 500 companies, founding groundbreaking startups, spearheading research initiatives, shaping public policy or serving on UVA Engineering boards, members of the school's extensive alumni network exemplify the impact of engineering for the greater good.

More About Alumni
  • UVA Alumna and Engineering Foundation Board Member Anne Aunins Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

    The National Academy of Engineering has elected Anne Aunins, a University of Virginia chemical engineering alumna and board member of the Engineering Foundation, to its Class of 2026.

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  • NASA Selects UVA Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Alum for Astronaut Candidate Class

    Charlottesville-born Army officer and pilot Ben Bailey has his sights set on space.

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  • UVA-Born Technology Goes From Lab Bench to Bedside With Global Impact

    This medical device is helping doctors worldwide make faster, more precise decisions during surgery — reducing unnecessary transfusions and improving patient care.

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Contact Us

The Office of Undergraduate Programs provides information, assistance and guidance to undergraduate engineering students as well as to prospective students and parents interested in applying to the School of Engineering undergraduate program. Applications are made through the University of Virginia.