Message from Dean David S. Dolling:

Dear Parents:

From the moment freshmen step onto campus in the fall, you-their parents-entrust them to our care, to help in their transformation from childhood to adulthood and to prepare them for success in the world.  This is not just a responsibility but a privilege, and a very rewarding one.   As both dean of GW's School of Engineering and Applied Science and the parent of a college-age child, I understand the importance of finding the right college for your child.  The college search is just the first page in this new chapter for you and your child.

I'd like to share with you a few thoughts on what the School of Engineering and Applied Science-or "SEAS," as we call it-offers our students, so that you will know a little more about us and can help guide your son or daughter as they consider SEAS. 

First, we understand that the 21st century demands engineers and computer scientists from this next generation who are more than technical experts.  A rigorous technical education is still required of engineers and computer scientists-in fact, there is no substitute for it-and SEAS provides the rigorous education your son or daughter will need for a career in these fields.  But it's no longer enough for students to be simply technical experts.   In today's world, engineers must be able to understand and embrace complexity, and thrive in and lead teams that may be spread across the globe, cutting across cultures, time zones, and many disciplines.

SEAS prepares our students for this complexity in a number of ways.  For example, we recognize the important role that internships play in helping students get that first job after graduation.  SEAS has its own Career Services Office, which locates internships and job opportunities and helps place students when possible.  It also brings employers to campus, participates in career fairs, and holds resume and interview seminars and other career-related events to help prepare our students.  Our location in Washington, DC is a huge asset: the Washington, DC-Metro region is home to many of the world's pre-eminent research institutions and numerous high-tech companies, and quite a few of our students get the opportunity to do internships or research projects with them.

We also provide undergraduate research opportunities with our faculty members, and we're developing new study abroad programs-specifically designed for our students-to encourage them to get the overseas experience that will give them a competitive advantage, whether they go on to graduate school or enter the job market.

We like to think that our students get the best of both worlds as they undergo this transformation from childhood to adulthood.  GW is a good-sized university that offers something for nearly anyone; yet SEAS is a relatively small school within it.  Our students get the variety of courses and activities that a larger university can provide, and at the same time, the small, supportive community that only a small school can offer.  Here at SEAS, classes are small and taught by professors who know students by name.  And, from mentoring programs run by upperclassmen, to tutoring sessions, to a house on campus where engineering students can gather, SEAS students live, study, and learn in an environment that supports their aspirations to become engineers and computer scientists.

I encourage you to visit us or contact us, and I hope your son or daughter will find that SEAS is the right choice for him or her.

Sincerely,

David S. Dolling
Dean

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