Educating Engineers in Cultural and Societal Contexts
Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation, the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering and its Office of Diversity (EOD) have established the Global Engineering Preparedness Scholarship program (GEPS). GEPS helps to support the recruitment, retention and graduation of low-income students from underrepresented minorities and majority populations. GEPS also prepares students for the global marketplace by offering international opportunities that students would not normally be able to participate without additional supporting funds.
GEP Scholars benefit from programs including:
- Academic Counseling and Advising
- Academic Living/learning Community
- Academic Tutoring
- Exceptional Education
- Faculty Mentoring
- Global Leadership Competency Development for Engineers
- Peer Mentoring
- Summer Engineering Academy
Scholarship Eligibility, Selection, and Retention
GEPS Scholars are selected from admitted students or transferring students meeting US citizenship or permanent residency requirements and having unmet financial needs as determined through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Student should be in to top 10-20 percent of class high school ranking, ACT/SAT above 27/1300, or college transfer GPA of 3.0 or above.
Beyond scores and academic performance, students are offered GEPS admission by committee review of GPA, SAT/ACT scores, strength of high school courses, class ranking, teacher recommendations for overall potential for success, extracurricular activities, honors and awards, professionalism, leadership, and personal statement.
All GEPS Scholars must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to retain the scholarship. All GEPS Scholars who complete the second year of the program with GPA of 3.0 and above are eligible for the GEPS International Study Abroad Scholarship.