What is T2M?

    As you explore your options within Purdue Engineering, you’ve probably heard lots of acronyms, such as WiE or FYE. Our last blog detailed FYE, or the First Year Engineering program. But FYE is only one year out of your college experience. What comes next? That’s the next important acronym that we’re going to talk about: T2M, or Transition to Major.

What is T2M?

    As mentioned above, T2M stands for Transition to Major. This is an important process that you will undergo during your second semester of FYE, which will shift you from First Year Engineering into the engineering major of your choice. This is where you start to make the decision of what major you are going to pursue throughout the rest of your undergraduate experience at Purdue. I know for some people, that sounds super scary (it does for me!). I am actually going through this process right now, and I will tell you that it is not as frightening as it originally seems. You find yourself asking a lot of questions, such as “What do I want to do?” or “What if I don’t get into my preferred major?” Luckily, there are some guidelines and resources at your disposal that can help answer some of these questions.

The Process

    So what actually happens during T2M? Although the official T2M process does not start until your Spring semester of FYE, starting in the Fall you are exposed to the different pathways during the EYM process. I know what you’re all thinking: not another acronym! EYM stands for Engineering Your Major. The EYM process typically involves attending several seminars of the different engineering disciplines on campus, and completing a few small activities. This past semester, my FYE class (ENGR 161) required us to undergo this EYM process to pass the course. At the beginning of the semester, we filled out a survey that gathered our initial interests and thoughts based on the 14 Engineering Grand Challenges (you can explore these at http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/challenges.aspx). Next, we signed up for and attended at least three different informational seminars hosted by the different engineering schools on campus and filled out a “journal” detailing our thoughts and questions about the majors. The informational seminars often consisted of a short presentation by advisors of that school discussing career options, required coursework, and other resources pertaining to that school, as well as a short Q and A with that school’s ambassadors. Finally, we filled out a final survey about our tentative thoughts on what major we are considering pursuing.

    After the EYM process, it is time to choose your major! For me, this has been the scariest part of the process: making a decision. Within the first couple weeks of the beginning of the semester, a survey was available to allow us to pick a first and second choice major. While there is a small chance that you may not get into your first choice major, the School of Engineering Education website states that 93 to 95% of students who have completed (or are on track to complete) the First Year Engineering program get into their first choice of major. Some majors, such as Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, and Multidisciplinary Engineering, have size constraints, meaning that there is limited space within the major and it may be slightly more difficult to get in. But never fear, there are some steps that can be taken to ensure you get into the major of your choice.

The Guarantees

    While everyone who completes FYE will get a chance to transition into a major, there are certain benchmarks you can strive for that are said to guarantee your admission into your first choice major, the most important one being the GPA and EAI requirements. EAI stands for Engineering Admissions Index, and is the calculated GPA of only courses that are taken for FYE requirements (a list of these requirements can be found at https://engineering.purdue.edu/ENE/Academics/Undergrad/FYE/FYEReqs). If a transfer or AP credit is used to fulfill an FYE requirement, it will not count for GPA or EAI. A 3.20 cumulative GPA and 3.20 EAI, along with the other requirements listed on the College of Engineering website, guarantee admission into the first choice major of your choosing. More on this policy can be found on https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/InfoFor/CurrentStudents/enrollment-policy.

What if I don’t get into my first choice?

    While a vast majority of students get into their first choice major, it doesn’t happen for everyone. FYE can be difficult, sometimes making those guarantees can be hard. Luckily, there are many options, and lots of resources to help you out along the way! Lots of your FYE classes have office hours or supplemental instruction sessions, as well as the amazing Women in Engineering and Women in Science tutoring programs. When filling out the T2M survey, you are asked to indicate your second choice major. While the majors that are size constrained are not available to be selected as second choices, all other majors are. You are also allowed to remain in FYE and try to Transition To Major again in the next semester. Finally, just because you start off in FYE doesn’t mean you have to stick with engineering. Engineering is not for everyone, and Purdue offers over 100 majors!


    The T2M process may seem tricky and a little frightening, but Purdue has so many resources available to aid you along the way. The FYE advisors are here and ready to help you with whatever questions you may have. Even after you choose a major, you’re not stuck! While the size constrained majors will not be available after FYE, others will, meaning that what you choose now is not what you’re stuck with forever. Whichever path you take, the Purdue community is here to support you.

Gabi Layman, FYE '26

Recruitment Project Committee

Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program!

Facebook: Purdue Women in Engineering

Instagram: @purduewiep

Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com

Email: welink@purdue.edu

Use the hashtag #PurdueWiE on Facebook and Instagram!

Purdue Women in Engineering