I am a CC Transfer student who was accepted into UCLA and Berkeley. I was accepted into the College of Letters and Science at Berkeley, but my major (political science) cannot be declared until I get there. For UCLA, I applied as a Political Science major, but was accepted into my alternate major (that I got through TAP) Gender Studies. I am struggling to pick which college to commit to, since I will basically have no idea if I can actually major in poli sci until I commit and start classes. Being kept in the dark has kind of been stressing me out. It would be great if I could get any advice from transfer students who have been in this position. I also cannot talk to advisors until I commit as well. Is it more likely to get my major at Berkeley? Or can I switch majors once I get to UCLA?
Do you have all the prereqs completed for the UCLA political science major? I’m looking here: Major - UCLA Political Science
transfer students with 90 or more units must complete the following introductory courses prior to admission to UCLA: one statistics course and four courses from political theory, world politics, political economy, American politics, or comparative politics.
Here’s info about declaring political science at UCB: Declaring the Political Science Major | UC Berkeley Political Science
I have completed all of the prereqs for the UCLA political science major, which is why it is kind of disappointing that I was not admitted into that major. Thank you for the links! It looks like I will be more likely to declare my major at Berkeley.
Poliitical science is listed as one of the most popular majors on this page: https://admission.ucla.edu/apply/transfer/deciding-on-major
In the sidebar, this is what it says about changing majors as a transfer:
You must discuss changing majors with a counselor once you arrive at UCLA. In most cases, the decision to change your major is dependent on a variety of factors, such as whether you have taken the preparatory courses needed for that field of study and whether that department has room available for an additional student. You will have the opportunity to discuss your situation with a counselor at New Student Orientation. You can also contact the department you wish to transfer to directly.
So it appears to be possible to change majors at UCLA, but it would depend on capacity in the major?
You might want to contact the department?
Do you have a preference for either UCLA or Berkeley?
I definitely have a preference for UCLA due to the overall environment and because it is closer to home.
My problem is I will only be able to talk to a counselor during orientation (for both schools) and I have to commit by June 1st. If I am able to switch my major from Gender Studies to Political Science/Global Studies, I will commit to UCLA.
Can you contact the UCLA political science department? The web page seems to suggest that you can do that. (“You can also contact the department you wish to transfer to directly.”)
If you can’t get more information and are not guaranteed your preferred major at either option I’d go to the school you prefer which sounds like UCLA.
At UCLA they admit by major; those who want to change have already been passed over once so it may be a struggle to change. For L&S transfer students at Cal they say “Students are admitted to the College, but not the major. Once enrolled at Berkeley, students are able to declare a major.” So I think every Cal xfer student is in the same boat, which to me implies the process shouldn’t be too onerous.
On the page Declaring the Political Science Major | UC Berkeley Political Science it says (bold in original)
Recently admitted transfer students should attend the Political Science GBO orientation, if possible. The Political Science GBO orientation is a great opportunity to learn more about the major and officially declare the major (if eligible). Please note that you must RSVP ahead of time in order to attend. Look for an email from PS Advisers with details.
It sounds automatic; meet the eligibility rules elsewhere on that page, follow the steps and you’re in. The OP should call the Poli Sci dept at Cal to confirm. Nowhere on the page does it explain what “GBO” means, BTW, that’s just part of the fun 
For UCLA nothing is stopping you from picking up the phone and calling a Poli Sci undergrad advisor to ask. They even give their (apparently direct) phone numbers on the page at https://polisci.ucla.edu/academics/undergraduate/undergraduate-advising/undergraduate-advisors/ The worst that can happen is they hang up on you. And as those of us who have attended a UC can attest, there’s a lesson here. At a large public you need to advocate for yourself. Advisors are out there, deans have amazing powers to bend rules, but it’s up to the student to make contact.
UCal-Berkeley is the better choice based on your academic desire to major in political science.
“Popular” is not the same as “impacted” Majors. Poli Sci is popular but I don’t believe it’s impacted. At least when I went there, L&S Major change is as simple as walking into the Department and fill out a one page sheet. I have done it three times…
Like everyone said, you do not need to speak with an advisor. Just call Poli Sci Department, polity ask the office secretary and explain your concerns AS AN ADMITTED STUDENT. UCLA is very interesting; they may seem cold and distant, but once you are in, they do treat you like family (my own experience and impression anyways).
UCLA political science rules on declaring the major are at Undergraduate FAQ - UCLA Political Science . For transfer students admitted to another major, the criteria to declare pre- political science include a 3.7 GPA in major and overall transfer courses, and a 3.3 GPA in remaining prerequisites taken at UCLA. Then there are five more prerequisites to complete to declare the political science major. These should also be done before reaching 135-150 quarter units (90-100 semester units), according to Declaring the Major - UCLA Political Science .
UCB political science rules on declare the major are much less restrictive: Declaring the Political Science Major | UC Berkeley Political Science . Basically, you would need to complete at least two of the four lower division prerequisites with a 2.0 GPA in those courses and overall and attend the information / declaration session.
Thank you! I checked the form on the website and was kinda confused on where it said “3.7 GPA in all UC transferable courses in lower and upper division that will be used for my major” Does this mean only my CC courses? Or does it include the ones I take at UCLA. I tried calling the department and didn’t get through but I will try calling again.
Might I ask when did you attend UCLA and what majors did you switch into? I have a meeting scheduled with a poli sci peer advisor at UCLA so we will see how that goes. I found a petition form to switch into the major but I am just a bit confused on some of the requirements and worried I won’t meet it.
90-95.
Went in undeclared.
Spring 91 declared as Chemistry
Fall 92 changed to Biochem
Spring 93 switched to Microbiology and molecular genetics which I finished.
My roommate 1 went from Bio to econ after 2 quarters. My neighbor went from Chem E to econ after first year. Another went from EE to math. Usually switching between non-impact majors is easy. Getting into an impacted major is nearly impossible. Poli Sci is not an impacted major and I’m sure you have >3.7 from CC (otherwise you wouldn’t have gotten in) and 3.3 at UCLA is just a B+ average which for upper division is not that difficult.
Those are the old days. The rules are much more stringent now, given the increased number of students.