<p>I’m in ERC so I can maybe help you out 
I was freaked out too at the GEs and thought they were going to be horrible, but they really aren’t that bad. Making of the Modern World (the writing program) is actually really interesting and taught me a lot, and they shortened it to 5 quarters instead of 6 this year. Addressing your comment, “I’m a biochemistry major so all of the GEs at Roosevelt are gonna be pointless for me,” that’s not entirely true. ERC does not state WHICH specific classes you have to take, besides the writing class. Rather, they give you set guidelines, for example, they tell you to take two science classes. That means some of your prereq classes for your major will go toward your ERC requirements, if that makes sense. I am actually graduating in three years as an ERC student AND I spent a quarter abroad. It’s really not that bad.</p>
<p>It is difficult to switch to another college. You have to complete your original college’s writing program and prove that switching to another college would save you 2 quarters or more. Don’t expect to be finished with this process, if you choose to do so, until the end of your sophomore year. Most people who are skeptical about ERC (or any college, for that matter) end up loving it once they settle in there. </p>
<p>It is hard to get a good GPA at UCSD especially because the science/pre-med fields are competitive, but how difficult it is will ultimately come down to your own study habits.</p>