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Mechanical engineer? Well, good luck! When my S turned down three excellent engineering schools (one Ivy) to enroll at Wash U, we had many expectations and dreams; none of them became reality yet. The Engineering School had many problems this past year; I just hope they get a good dean and he/she bring back the good times. S is finishing sophomore year with 104 credits, it's getting harder for him getting the courses he needs to graduate on time on his major and his minors without missing the opportunity to learn languages. He had no luck with internships yet outside St. Louis area.
I can't answer directly with actual stats, perhaps someone has those. I would point out that an A is a 4.0, but an A- is a 3.7, so maintaining a 3.8 would require 2 A minuses and and A or A+. That is pretty tough anywhere, but I have to think even tougher in engineering. Only you know your capabilities. If you are a 4.0 kind of person, then you probably have a shot at it.
Some scholarships require 3.8 GPA, which is pretty insane, and results in students choosing classes based on potential for an A instead of true interest.
If that is the reason for your question, you should contact your scholarship "source" and ask them to adjust the GPA requirement. I've heard that this can be done.
It is not impossible to maintain 3.8 GPA, but if you can remove the unnecessary stress of the potential loss of the scholarship, it will make your life much happier.
Cressmom, thank for the correction. I had thought it was universal at Wash U. That does help a lot if you are going for a high GPA. If your average is a high B or lower, then either system works out about the same, but if you are trying to stay in the upper 3s, the +/- system makes it tough.
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