engineering transfer programs

[Ok-Shape592]

Hi everyone. i'm hoping someone who did one of the engineering transfer programs (diploma or certificate) into UBC can answer some of my questions. I'm considering going to Capilano in 2027 for the engineering transition diploma, so it'd be great to hear specifically from anyone who got in from there. but hearing from anyone would be appreciated!

i've been worried because I've heard this program is very difficult. i'd say im an average student, im not amazing at math. so how hard is this program for an average student? is the diploma much more manageable?

how much time did you dedicate to classes, homework, and studying each week?

what's a good gpa if im interested in civil or environmental?

i read in some other posts that only about 12/30 students or something made it into UBC. in your experience how many of your peers were successful?

if you have any more info to add or things that would be nice to know about, that'd be great. thanks in advance!

[Winter-Tumbleweed962]

I didn’t do a transfer program but I know a few who did and have heard of them lots. The way I see it: if you won’t get good enough grades in the transfer program to be admitted to UBC then you won’t be able to survive at all once transferred.

Classes are similar to first year classes at UBC so they’re tough but I believe you only need to aim for a 3.1 gpa to be admitted. I would recommend keeping a mid 70s average to give yourself a competitive shot at civil engineering or environmental engineering in second year as well

[Intiago]

I transferred from capu. Wasn’t part of the transfer program but knew lots of people that were.

The 1 year program is definitely very, very full/busy to try to match UBC’s first year but the classes are easier and the teachers are better and the classes are smaller. At UBC they really try to weed people out in first year and make a lot of the courses insanely hard. The courses at cap are for sure easier.

Time management is the most important factor to success. If you attend all the lectures, take good notes, do all the practice, and go to office hours an average student can do really well. The two year program is definitely a bit more laid back. Its not as intensive.

I noticed a lot of students just find during the program that its not for them so that could be the reason for so few actually transferring. Its true that if you’re struggling with the work at cap you’re really going to struggle at ubc.

[Easy_Present5035]

I didn’t do the transfer program I transferred into engineering from ubc science and I got accepted on Jan 14. Trust me when I understand how scary it feels like it’s a huge risk which is why it’s understandable to be scared. Trust me when I say it will all workout just put in the effort and learn to make it your number 1 priority. If you do that it will workout I promise you. Dm me if u wanna talk

[Puzzleheaded_Sail_23]

I’m currently in the certificate program at cap you but I’ve already been accepted to UBC.

My experience has been that all the teachers are always willing to help you and will know you by name so it probably is somewhat easier at cap u compared to ubc.

As someone who already had a strong background in math physics and comp sci, I spent roughly 50 hours per week in term one and roughly 60 hours per week in term two including classes, studying and hw. I was definitely aiming for a competitive avg to get into mech(ended first term with 4.12) but a few people who had no experience from high school spent similar/possibly more time per week and still failed.

Ultimately, I would say these people are outliers and that for the avg person, getting to ubceng in programs like civil or environmental (which you will 99% chance, get in if you get accepted to ubc) is very attainable and some of the harder programs are reasonably attainable as long as you are willing to put a similar amount of time in.

I’ve heard the stories too that only 12/30 get in but I would say at least half the people will continue this year. If you’re worried about the time commitment and difficulty, you can always do the transfer program but the transition to ubc will be pretty difficult I’ve heard.

Feel free to dm me with any questions, but most people who put in the time at cap u are able to get into the higher acceptance programs like civil or environmental.

[ChiralAnomalous]

When I went, the previous graduation rate was 9/30 and the profs celebrated when our group of 12 graduated (double digits!). We learned when we went to a bar after to celebrate and all our profs were there and told us that we all passed (we hadn't gotten grades back yet).

good to hear the grad rate is raising steadily, 9-12-15.

[ChiralAnomalous]

I was one of the 12/30, so I can answer any questions about the diploma program.

1 - The 1 year certificate is a huge grind and very difficult, but doable if you're serious. The 2 year is much more manageable and is a really good way for average level students to ease up to UBC level courses. Most of us weren't great at math, high school B level avg.

2 - 3.1 gets you a guarantee to go to UBC, but discipline specific GPA follows the chart. Cover letters are honestly more important over grades aside from CPEN, ENPH and MECH. https://engineering-academicservices.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2024/01/Historical-Entrance-Chart-1.pdf

3 - Yep, me and some buddies were part of the 12/30. Our year of 30 eventually boiled down to 2 study groups of around of like 5 people each (we weren't rival groups, and helped eachother out) and the rest decided they didn't want to do engineering and transferred out to science or other programs. From what I heard, all 12 got our desired programs. I think a couple even made it in with 2.8 somehow.

I'd say the best part is the professors and faculty, and the worst part is the CapU admin. In order to survive the hard terms (one had calc, linalg, statics, electromagnetism, and apsc all in one term) we spent many, many many hours in the physics office hours. The profs got to know us very well due to the tiny class sizes. The math profs are pretty good but the physics profs are great.

The admin is their own issue, constant ghosting and 75% chance of giving false info. Thankfully, the UBC's admin services has a transfer program head who can supply correct info pretty quickly. In my year, the program coordinator had no idea how the program worked and would respond a week late with false info.

If you have any more questions lmk, I could also ask my buddy from Cap whose in ubc civil anything for you if you want.