Hi. D25 is finaluzibg CSU selection. We are in state for CSU (California). She dies not have a specific interest in a major, still exploring, but likely intetes are environment, animal- related, business Also would like to have a campus with higher percentage of resident students. Her School GPA weighted is 3.95, 7 APs. I know which majors are available on which campus, but since her interests are exploratory, i am worried she may not be able to transfer. it is very hard to find the info on CSU website. Any comment on how flexible CSUs are?
Her shortlist is: Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly SLO, CSU Northridge, San Bernardino, Fullerton
Has she considered Chico? It’s a residential CSU with a wide range of non impacted majors, so it should give her the flexibility she’s looking for.
Thanks. There are 23 CSUs and many of the lower ranked ones are less impacted. We are really looking to understand the scenario at the highly ranked ones.
Where the major is impacted, expect there to be another admission process to change into the major.
For each major of possible interest, search for “[campus] change major [major name]”.
Note that CPSLO has an unusual restriction on changing major, in that one of the criteria is that the student’s frosh admission points must have been sufficient to have been admitted to the new major.
Out of the schools on your list, Cal Poly SLO would be the most difficult campus to switch majors and does not offer Undeclared as an option.
SLO’s process is defined by the major College and will list the required GPA/courses needed to switch majors. As with all schools, the student needs to meet with their advisors before starting the process.
As noted by @ucbalumnus, changing majors especially impacted majors may require a secondary admission process.
Here is an example for Cal Poly Pomona’s change of major to Environmental Biology and Animal Science which are both impacted:
Environmental Biology
Requirements for Lower-Division and Upper-Division Students:
3.25 CPP and Overall GPA
C or better in BIO 1210/L and BIO 1220/L
Students must have completed 2 full semesters at CPP. Students must first meet with a Biology Faculty Advisor and attach a signed advising worksheet to the Change of Major request e-form. Current Biology students who want to switch to a different major within Biology can submit the Change of Major request at any time.
Animal Science: Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Science/Graduate School Options**
Requirements for Lower-Division and Upper-Division Students
3.5 Overall GPA
C or better in STA 1200, CHM 1210/L, BIO 1150/L or 1210/L, and ENG 1101 or 1103
You must be able to complete the new major within 140 units.
You must meet with an academic advisor.
Some degree programs may have additional requirements, such as pre-requisites or a petition process which would outlined by the academic advisor.
Changing majors can affect degree plans, so you should consider it carefully.
File the change of major form to declare or change majors. Non-impacted majors can file the form on-line but impacted majors require you file with your academic advisor.
For CSU San Bernardino, if the major is not impacted then an on-line form needs to be filled out to change majors.
Impacted Majors
Criminal Justice
Kinesiology: Allied Health
Nursing (applications are no longer accepted)
Psychology
Social Work
Changing to an impacted major requires additional approval through the Online Change of Major process. Because each impacted major requires different eligibility requirements, students must apply and meet with an advisor within the impacted major to determine eligibility. Review of the request is routed to the department chair and then the Office of the Registrar for processing.
Out of your short list, we toured CPSLO and CPP. I believe CPSLO has the highest percentage of resident students and CPP is basically a commuting school. During spring break, it was practically a ghost town. How about SDSU? it is one of the highest-ranking CSU with lot of residential students. Good Luck.