Is it worth the risk to go undeclared and try to switch into computer science?

Gumbymom
Thu, 29 Mar 2018 03:00:06 +0000

@thomas4881 changing into CS is not as easy as you make it. Here is what UCSB states on their website:

Current UCSB students in a non-engineering major, as well as students wishing to change from one engineering major to another, are welcome to apply after the satisfactory completion of a pre-defined set of coursework. However, due to the current demand for engineering majors, students are cautioned that it is a very competitive process and not all applicants will be able to change their majors due to limited space availability.

Students who enter UCSB as transfer students will not be able to change to or add an engineering major, if not initially accepted into one.

Students who began as freshmen who plan to enter an engineering major or to change from one engineering major to another will be expected to complete at least 30 units at UCSB before petitioning for a change of major and usually must satisfy the prerequisites of the prospective major. Students who have completed more than 105 units will not be considered for a change of major/change of college in engineering or computer science unless they can demonstrate that they will be able to complete all the degree requirements without exceeding 215 total units.

Notwithstanding any of the major-specific requirements described below, we caution that the capacity of any given program to accept new students changes, sometimes substantially, from year to year. It is incumbent upon students to continue to make progress in a backup major while pursuing a new major in the College of Engineering, and to periodically consult academic advisors in both the desired major as well as the backup major regarding the viability of pursuing the change of major.

Students may petition to enter the Computer Science major when the following requirements are met:

A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0;
Satisfactory completion of Computer Science 16 and 24 with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (first takes only);
Satisfactory completion of Math 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B and Computer Science 40 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (first takes only)
The selection process is highly competitive and these milestones are minimum requirements for consideration, achieving them does not guarantee admission to the Computer Science major. Any petitions denied will be automatically considered a second time in the next quarter. Petitions denied a second time will not be reconsidered. Details found at the CS “Admission to the Major” page.