For non-CS majors how easy is it to get CS classes. Heard CS classes are gated. Also with the new CDSS program, they are offering 70 spots to transfer into CS or double major. Has anyone been through this review process? Is declaring CS minor also hard with the new policies?
Generally speaking you could get into the lower div courses with a bit of luck and patience. Here is the reserved seats policy for Fall 2024 for the popular CS classes. Please note that enrollment policies can change semester to semester.
- CS 61A - 460 unreserved seats
- CS 61B - 175 unreserved seats
- CS 61C - no unreserved seats but you could get in during the summer
- CS 70 - 130 seats for LS undeclared but you need to have 3-4 terms of attendance
For pretty much every single upper division course, the only people outside CS/EECS who can take them are non-EECS COE majors and, to a lesser extent, Data Science majors. Even data science majors have limited access to upper division courses and those selections vary over time. For instance, DS majors have access to CS 170 (algorithms) and CS 188 (AI) but not to CS 189 (ML) for the Fall 2024 semester. In prior semesters, they’ve had access to CS 189.
Go here and check every course of interest to you.
With respect to the CS sophomore pathway, no one has been through it but I would expect it to be very very competitive. And people are hypthesizing that people from CS adjacent majors will have a hard time making an authentic case for being a “discoverer” so might be disadvantaged in the process.
The CS minor is pretty much dead but could be done if you get lucky. Review this page on the CS minor requirements, in the context of the accessibility of the CS upper division courses.
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Thanks much! This is useful. Can you do EECS minor and dual major with DS? or is DS specialization also gated?
It happened to rain the night before Cal Day (and morning of). So the sidewalks were naturally washed. 
In general it’s been pretty nice here lately, though. Spring weather and growing things everywhere.
Part of the difference in perception between your visit and your uncle’s may have been where you went, and what you happened to encounter, or pay attention to. Berkeley is a multifaceted place. Both beauty and urban grime can be found here.
What school/major were you admitted to?
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Applied Math
You should be able to access a wide range of courses related to DS major requirements but you may not be able to declare DS as a major because of the high demand major policy unless you apply via comprehensive review.
DS minor should be relatively straight forward.
What is required for a comprehensive review? Is it just GPA?
Thank you!
The comprehensive review process for students interested in transferring to CDSS majors has not yet been completely defined. It may include transcripts, essays, ECs / resume. It’s also likely to be competitive, with many students applying for few spots.
Students interested in these majors can certainly give it a try, but personally I wouldn’t recommend choosing UC Berkeley unless you would also be happy with the major or program in which you were admitted, or one with a straightforward path to declare (such as a major within L&S that is not high demand).
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Thanks much!
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Thank you.
Did anyone receive financial aid package?
Funny, S24 just got an email from FA to review his letter like 7 min ago.
Is it estimated or final summary?
estimate. But if you SAI is greater than COA, unless you have some other pending scholarship, you will not get Cal/Pell grants.
Where do you get the SAI from? And is the SAI the expected parent contribution?
yes
Does that also apply to housing costs or just tuition?