U of I, McHenry County College partner on engineering degree
McHenry County College is partnering with the University of Illinois to help students save money and get jobs in physics, engineering and technology fields.
Starting this fall, incoming MCC students selected for the new Engineering Pathways program will complete core science, mathematics and English courses and then transfer to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Engineering - ranked fifth in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
High school seniors seeking to enroll at MCC for the first time and have mostly As and Bs and strong ACT math scores are eligible to apply for the program. Candidates must submit an essay on why they are interested in engineering. All application materials and test scores are due by March 1.
Students who have been accepted at UIUC's College of Engineering automatically are eligible but must still apply for MCC's program, though they are not restricted by the deadline.
MCC has been working with the university for a few years to make this opportunity available for students, said Amy Maxeiner, MCC executive dean of mathematics, sciences and health professions.
"It's unique in that students are guaranteed admission into U of I's College of Engineering while completing their prerequisites at MCC," Maxeiner said. "This partnership is also one way MCC can provide qualified individuals for occupations in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field."
Students enrolled in the program could save more than $30,000 during the first two years while working toward an engineering degree, based on spring 2016 tuition and fees rates at both institutions, officials said.
They also can benefit from meeting with advisers from both schools to get support, keep on track and to talk about their course of study.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals with limited income to get an excellent education and save some money along the way," Maxeiner said. "I believe it will open doors for students who may not have had this opportunity in the past."
MCC students are guaranteed admission into the UIUC College of Engineering if they are enrolled at MCC full time (at least 12 credit hours) and maintain a 3.3 GPA in the required courses and a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA in all courses taken at MCC.
Interested students and parents can attend an information session at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 in Room B166-167 of MCC's Crystal Lake campus, 8900 Route 14. For more information, call Maxeiner at (815) 455-8717, visit pathways.engineering.illinois.edu/mchenry or email to pathways@mchenry.edu.