STEM-Q
UQ1331

What kinds of evidence of interest in engineering are useful for AO-style admissions?

For AO-style admissions in engineering, useful evidence can include programming, robotics or electronics projects, research, relevant coursework, competitions, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate a concrete interest in engineering. Beyond the scale of an activity or awards, it can help to explain why you pursued it, your role, what you learned through trial and error, and what you want to study at university, using prototypes, records, code, reports, or presentations where available.

Key points

  • Explain ongoing projects or research, including attempts to address everyday problems with technology, concretely.
  • Use prototypes, design notes, code, reports, or presentation materials to show what you did.
  • Organize your motivation, role, decisions, and learning from setbacks.

Things to check

  • Evaluation methods and acceptable materials vary by university, faculty, program, and academic year, so check the target institution’s official admissions information. No particular activity or award is required of every applicant.

Admissions route guidance

Applying through a Japanese domestic admissions route

In Tokyo Denki University’s “Tongari AO” admissions, examples of eligibility criteria include projects or items you have created that made people happy, program code you have published, experiences applying scientific knowledge to daily life or activities, dedication to creating or producing something yourself, and the results of inquiry-based learning. Another example of a requirement is demonstrating a strong interest in mathematics and science by linking it to specific activities or achievements. In comprehensive selection admissions, motivation and aptitude are assessed not only through activity reports, statements of purpose, and other documents, but also through interviews and other methods. You should therefore organize your experiences so that you can explain why you undertook them, the ideas and improvements you applied, the results, and how they relate to your future studies and aspirations. Assessment methods and eligibility criteria vary by university.

Official sources

Admissions information can change. Check the current official guidance before applying.