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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I transfer over a class from another institution? / How can I take classes at another college?

A: If you are planning to transfer credit from another institution please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook for more detailed information. 

In general, transfer credit will be granted provided all of the following conditions are met:

  • The course grade is a C or higher when converted to the American scale
  • The student has not received credit previously for an identical course
  • The content of the course is similar to courses offered by an appropriate academic unit of the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.

Current U-M students and incoming transfer students can use the transfer credit equivalency database to see if the class(es) they want to take have already been approved to transfer to U-M. If a course is not listed, students may request an evaluation by completing the Transfer Credit Equivalency Request form prior to enrolling.

Once you have completed the course (with a “C” or better), request that an official copy of your transcript be sent to the University of Michigan, College of Engineering – Recruitment and Admissions (engincredit@umich.edu). Even if deemed equivalent, the UM course cannot appear on your UM transcript until an official transcript from the home institution has been received by UM Admissions. 

Q: How do I enroll in a RISE (independent study) course?

A: First, you will want to locate a professor who will supervise your project. To find a professor who is completing research in an area you’re interested in, check out the Research section of the ME website. 

Once you have identified a professor, it is suggested that you email and/or visit their office hours to discuss the possibility of completing a RISE Project with them. Upon their agreement to oversee your RISE experience, the student should complete two steps: 

  • The student is required to register for the appropriate section of RISE (290,390 or 490) on Wolverine Access before submitting their proposal. 
  • Submit a proposal using the RISE link by the deadline listed on the Key Dates page.

Please note: Submitting your proposal does NOT automatically register you for the class. You must complete the requirement as outlined on the RISE Requirements page.

Q: How do I get an override for a course?

A: If the course is not a Mechanical Engineering course, you will need to contact the department that offers the course and ask them about their override policies. ME can only process overrides for ME courses. 

If it is an ME course, please send an email to me-aso@umich.edu with your name, UM-ID number, and your desired lecture/section/lab/discussion number(s), as applicable. All override requests are handled via e-mail, so you do not need to stop by the Academic Services Office. Please note that we receive hundreds of override requests once registration begins, they are handled in the order they’re received, and we process override requests as soon as possible.

  • You must have a valid time conflict to receive an override.
  • The advising team has access to your class schedule, so please be accurate and considerate of other students who may need a certain section of a course.
  • Course overrides will not be provided due to personal preferences, such as, “I’m not a morning person. I prefer to not have classes before 10am.”
  • Being #1 on the waitlist does not ensure you will receive an override for a course. Many factors are considered — such as class standing, if the student needs the class to graduate this term, etc. — before an override is issued.

Q: How do I submit a petition?

A: Any student can petition for modification of academic policies. However, only petitions that provide a reasonable justification as well as supporting documentation (if necessary), will be considered. For that reason, it is to students’ benefit to meet with an advisor, and fill out the petition form carefully in order to provide all necessary documentation.

  • Meet with an academic advisor to discuss if a petition needs to be submitted, and what kind of petition is appropriate
  • Student’s submit a new petition or revise a petition via the online petition form
  • An ME advisor reviews the petition to see if revisions are needed
  • The ME Undergraduate Chair reviews the petition for a final decision

The petition process can take up to 4 weeks depending on the complexity of the petition and the completeness of documentation. You can always view the status of your petition in the table at the bottom of this page.

Please note: Any incomplete petition that has been submitted to the ASO will be returned to the student without a decision and will be reconsidered once it has been completed and resubmitted. For examples of completed petitions, please see the Petitions Examples Page.

Q: How can I schedule an appointment?

A: To schedule an appointment for academic advising, please visit our online scheduling system. 

  • If you are an Undergraduate student, you may meet with Lara Hamza or Kacie Cadotte
  • If you are a Graduate student, you may meet with Adam Mael
  • If you are a SUGS or potential SUGS student, you may meet with Joy Jones

Available appointment times are colored blocks of time. You will see a phone icon or a person icon on an available appointment time. A phone icon means that the meeting can be held virtually through Zoom or by phone. A person icon will mean that you have the option of meeting in-person. See example below:

A Google Calendar invitation with a Zoom link, if applicable, will be sent to you.

Please note: Please be aware of high traffic times, typically during the first three weeks of the term and during backpacking/registration. We encourage general visits outside of these peak times.

Q: How do I locate my UG Degree Planning Tools / UG Degree Audit Checklist?

A: Student’s can locate their UG Degree Planning Tools (long term degree plan) and their UG Degree Audit via the Student Intranet. 

Q: How do I declare ME? When can I declare?

A: Before a student can declare Mechanical Engineering as their engineering program of study, the following requirements must be met:

  • Students must have completed at least one full term of courses on the UM Ann Arbor campus (12 credits or more and must not have withdrawn for credit to count).
  • Students must have an overall UM GPA of 2.0 or better in courses taken at the UM Ann Arbor campus and be in good standing. Students on Probation or Enrollment Withheld cannot declare a program.
  • Students must earn a “C” or better in any CoE Common Requirement course or ME degree requirement taken prior to declaration. The most recent grade counts in repeated courses.
  • Students must have completed (with a “C” or better), or earned credit by exam or transfer for, at least one course in each of the following categories:
    • Calculus (Math 115, 116, 156, 215, 216)
    • Calculus based lectures for physics (Physics 140, 160, 240) or chemistry (Chemistry 130, 210). Note: physics and chemistry labs are degree requirements.
    • Required engineering courses (Engr. 100, 101, 151)

If you have met the above requirements, please email a request to declare to the Academic Services Office (me-aso@umich.edu). We will review your degree audit, confirm your eligibility to declare, invite you to a Declaration Orientation, and complete a long-term degree plan with you.

Q: How do I add/ drop/ change a course to pass/fail?

A: First, you will want to check the Registrar’s Office Student Registration Deadlines and find the Add/Drop deadlines. If it is before the Add/Drop deadline, then you can add, drop, or modify a course on Wolverine Access. If it is after the Add/Drop deadline, you will have to fill out an Add/Drop/Modify form through Wolverine Access. 

If you are late adding or dropping a course, the professor and an ASO staff member will need to approve the online request in Wolverine Access. If you are changing a course to pass/fail, then only an ASO staff member needs to approve it. If you drop a course after the first Add/Drop deadline, you will receive a “W” on your transcript, indicating that you withdrew from the course later in the term. 

Please note: After the “Add/Drop without petition” deadline you can no longer add, drop, or modify a course without submitting a petition to the Scholastic Standing Committee.

Q: How can I get involved in research?

A: Take a look at the following resources:

How should I reach out or contact people to do research in their lab?

  • Talk to mentors, faculty members, and GSIs that seem to have dedicated themselves to research; they will likely enjoy talking about it.
  • Also try talking to students you know through organizations, teams, dorms, or classes; these peers can often provide information about labs where students are treated well and are encouraged to learn and take on more responsibility. They may also know about future openings due to students graduating or due to a research project expanding.
  • Additionally, to reach out via email, we recommend putting together a couple of paragraphs about who you are and why you would be a good fit for the lab, as well as asking if they might be able to schedule a discussion about opportunities.  We would encourage you to include a resume as well, and tailor the message to the faculty (e.g. I like your lab because…).  If you are not able to secure anything, make an appointment with your ME Advisor or an ECRC Advisor about how to contact folks professionally.

Q: What are my scholarship or funding options?

A: ME Undergraduate Student Awards

  • There are two opportunities each academic year for Mechanical Engineering students to apply for a variety of awards. During the Fall term, you can apply for the College of Engineering’s Leaders and Honors Awards. During the Winter term, you can apply for the Mechanical Engineering Departmental Awards. All ME students are encouraged to apply

Financial Aid Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Scholarships are awarded based on several criteria including academic achievement, personal talents, interests, leadership qualities, financial need, or a combination of these. Funding often reflects the university’s commitment to achieving a diverse student body. While a separate application is required for some scholarships, most require only your university admission application.

CoE Scholarships and Fellowships: Emergency Funding

  • The College recognizes that some Engineering students find themselves facing emergency expenses in order to be able to continue with their studies. The College of Engineering  Student Emergency Fund is intended to help meet the financial needs of any Michigan Engineering student who encounters an emergency situation or one-time, unusual, or unforeseen expenses during their degree program.

Q: How do I request a letter of verification?

A: Students may need a letter of verification for a variety of reasons. You may need to work with a few different offices or individuals to obtain such verification. If you’re unsure or have additional questions, email me-aso@umich.edu with the details of what you are looking for.

The International Center and your Academic Advisor

  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT)
    • You will need to apply for OPT and take the online workshop. Then you will need to gather the relevant documents listed by the International Center before scheduling an appointment with your Academic Advisor.
  • Reduced Course Load (RCL)
    • Gather the following documents:
      1. Legible copy of your current I-20 (not including instruction page) or DS-2019.
      2. Copy of paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94.
      3. Unofficial transcript downloaded from Wolverine Access.
      4. RCL Recommendation Letter
    • Meet with your academic advisor and request a letter, which will need to be printed on official letterhead.

Please Note: International students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the school year. If you cannot or will not meet this requirement, you must request a reduced course load.

University Office of the Registrar

  • The University RO can complete a variety of written verifications:
    • Verifications for enrollment, degree status, GPA information, credit hours, academic standing, class ranking and tuition/fee charges
  • Students may obtain enrollment verification certificates free of charge through the National Student Clearinghouse Student Self-Service Site.
  • To obtain verification of degree(s) received or enrollment, a student may come to one of our Wolverine Services sites to place an order or complete the Certification Form.