UA Invites High School Students to Explore Engineering Career

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — High school students wishing to attend one of The University of Alabama Student Introduction to Engineering (SITE) summer programs must submit completed applications and recommendation letters by June 15.

The two, weeklong SITE programs will be held July 9-14 and July 16-21. The programs encourage students with interests in science and mathematics to consider an engineering career and give students early exposure and appreciation for course work required to major and excel in engineering.

A completed application, along with a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor, is required. Students who will be high school juniors or seniors next fall are eligible to attend. For applications, contact the Engineering Student Services office at The University of Alabama College of Engineering, Box 870200, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 35487, or phone 800-369-3647.

“These programs are designed to help high school students decide whether or not engineering is for them,” said Gail Queen, director of engineering student recruitment, who coordinates the programs with Greg Singleton, director of engineering student services.

The students will live in campus dorms, tour an industrial plant to see engineers at work, participate in hands-on laboratory demonstrations, and take classes in English, pre-calculus and computer programming. They will attend seminars led by UA engineering faculty and receive information on college admission procedures. If selected, students will be notified by July 1. There will be approximately 40 students in each session.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became the first university in the state to offer engineering classes and was one of the first five in the nation to do so. Today, the College of Engineering has about 1,800 students and more than 90 faculty. It has been fully accredited since accreditation standards were implemented in the 1930s.