<p>I applied to FIU and I got admitted…yay…but I applied for computer engineering and they changed it to physical science and engineering. I don’t know what that is, some kind of mathematics chemistry major I think.
My question is, can they do that and why? How can they change what I want to study in and can I change it?</p>
<p>You may not have qualified for computer engineering. Or comp eng is under phys and engineering. Call them and find out.</p>
<p>At some schools, you may be admitted as undeclared, and have to declare your major later after completing the prerequisites (which may or may not requires a high GPA or competitive admissions). Ask the school.</p>
<p>Universities often have schools to which they admit, such as the school of letters, arts, and sciences, or the school of engineering. Or maybe the school of physical sciences and engineering. Within those schools, there are majors. </p>
<p>Often it is easier to switch majors around within the school to which you have been admitted, so you could go in initially intending to major in Physics, but later decide to declare Comp Sci, or Comp Eng, or EE. Since it is all administered within the same school it is easier to manage.</p>
<p>I suspect you were admitted to a school, not to a major. That is common practice for many universities.</p>
<p>the letter says I applied as a computer engineering major but admitted as a PS Engineering major. So it isn’t a school.</p>
<p>maybe they need to spread the load of students admitted between different majors.</p>
<p>it really does not matter tho. engineering curriculums are almost identical in the lower division courses so assuming you do well, they most likely wouldn’t stop you from switching your major when you go to the upper division level. </p>
<p>It could have been a mistake or something they routinely do. There is an exploratory major called PS Engineering at FIU <a href=“Browse majors | FIU MyMajor”>Page not found | FIU MyMajor;
“The Physical Science and Engineering exploratory area contains majors that are ideal for students who have an interest in pursuing engineering and computing fields or who are considering studies in chemistry, physics, or mathematics. Exploratory majors are excellent for students who are unsure about the major they want to pursue or for students who do not meet the criteria for certain majors with selective admissions. These students will have access to an academic advisor who will provide personal guidance with exploring various career options and selecting an appropriate major.”</p>
<p>CONGRATULATIONS on your acceptance. I wouldn’t be too concerned with this; almost certainly it is due to constrained student numbers in your “hoped for” major (possibly exacerbated by your qualifications for that major). Further – working with your advisor – you may be able to take many of the courses you wish and possibly to change majors (at some point). </p>
<p>You asked:
Q1: Can they do that?
A1: Of course; after all, they – not you – operate FIU and make these decisions.
Q2: Why?
A2: Because it serves FIU’s overall needs and optimizes their operations. </p>
<p>Fundamentally, your recourse is to attend elsewhere (although you certainly should ask your advisor about this during orientation). I seriously doubt that you were guaranteed a major when you applied. Freshmen at large (FIU’s enrollment is 50,000+) public universities frequently are enrolled in courses and curriculum they did not request, essentially to accommodate institutional needs. It is not at all unusual. Realistically, it is almost a fact of big, public university life. </p>
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this (10 char)</p>
<p>Right, according to post #6 you didn’t quite qualify for the CS major so they put you in a temporary exploratory major that can still lead you to the CS degree if you do well. I would take this as good news, but you could ask an advisor how likely it is that those accepted to the exploratory major will later be accepted in CS.</p>