All CSU’s admit by Eligibility index and major. Applicants are ranked by their EI based on major and you cannot go by acceptance rates since it really depends upon the EI’s of each pool of applicants for each major. In general, Biology is not only one of the most popular majors, it is usually also more competitive than Microbiology and Biochemistry. I would lean towards either Microbiology or Biochemistry but you are looking at an EI of around 4300+ SAT to be competitive for any major at SDSU.
All applicants (with very few exceptions) are placed into a Pre-major and have to meet course and GPA requirements before continuing in their major for upper division courses. Some majors are easier to switch into than others, but switching means you need to meet the Pre-major requirements.
IMPACTION
Microbiology is impacted. After admission to SDSU, students are initially placed into the Microbiology premajor. Premajors must meet department-specific criteria in order to be admitted to the major. Admission to the Microbiology major requires:
• completion of all Preparation for the Major courses
• combined GPA of 2.7 or higher in Preparation courses • a minimum grade of C in each Preparation course
• an overall GPA of at least 2.6 (for all courses taken)
• satisfaction of the lower-division writing competency requirement • no coursework for the premajor or the major may be graded Cr/NC
After completing these requirements, meet with the Biology advisor to be admitted to the major. Students who do not meet one or more requirements should meet with the Biology advisor each semester to determine an appropriate course of action.
Biology is impacted. After admission to SDSU, students are initially placed into the Biology premajor. Premajors must meet department specific criteria in order to be admitted into the major. Admission to Biology Major requires the following:
Ø Completion of all the preparation for the Major courses and a combined GPA of 2.8 or higher in these courses (excluding Phys 180A, 180B, 182A, and 182B).
Ø A minimum of C or better in every course (Recommended A’s and B’s). Ø Courses in the Preparation for the Major cannot be taken Cr/Nc.
The chemistry/biochemistry major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the chemistry major, students must meet the following criteria:
a. Complete the preparation for the major;Preparation for the Major. Chemistry 200, 201, 232, 232L, 251; Biology 204, 204L; Mathematics 150, 151, 252; Physics 195, 195L, 196, 196L. (43 units) Recommended: Physics 197 and 197L.
b. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).
Same situation with CSULB which is an impacted campus. My advice is always apply for your choice major unless another major will work for ultimate goal, but do not assume that changing majors is easy.