It is currently possible for a COE student to switch to EECS with sufficiently good grades after two semesters. The requirements are fairly straightforward. The student must have been originally admitted to a COE major as a freshman, and it must be the student’s first major change. Each semester, the student must make progress in their current major (i.e. must take two classes in the current major) plus one EECS core class, and must meet a grade threshold for both overall GPA and for the EECS classes they take.
Source: My student’s advisor in the COE.
HOWEVER, it is always possible that the department may close that door at any time in the future. So I wouldn’t recommend going to Cal if the student has their heart set on EECS, as the policy may change. (And I certainly wouldn’t recommend students trying to “back door” into EECS by applying to another major in COE, as this may change at any time!)
I would only recommend Cal if the student is happy with being a BioE major, with the possibility that they MAY be able to switch or add EECS if the door remains open.
I believe this warning might be aimed at students who were not originally admitted to a COE major. (For example, students in L&S.) Within COE, students do switch into EECS at this time… it is just not guaranteed that this door will remain open.