UCSD undeclared- Data Science Hopeful

ChericHarmony
Wed, 15 Apr 2020 09:02:23 +0000

Hey, I’m a current sophomore studying Computer Engineering (just switched in!). I have some friends who are data science, and last year I was sort of considering it (until I got a C in a screening course) but for now, let’s talk from the website itself:

Capped Major Application page: https://datascience.ucsd.edu/academics/undergraduate/continuing-students/

Probably the most relevant part for you is this:

Selection Process:
Students will be ranked based on their GPA in the screening courses, MATH 20C, MATH 18/20F, and DSC 10. Grades from transfer credit will be used in calculating the GPA for the screening courses.
Students with the same GPA in the screening courses will be ordered by their overall GPA.
Students will be admitted according to their ranking based on the number of available seats. If there are more students at a given rank than the available seats, random selection will be made from among the students at that rank to fill in the remaining seats.

You get two tries.
Last I heard (last year), the average GPA in the screening courses (I think for successful applicants) was a 3.7. That’s two As and one B. It may or may not be more competitive when you get here.
I wouldn’t say that it’s easy to switch, but it’s possible. But the real question is: would you be okay coming to UCSD with a backup major if things don’t work out? Cognitive Science with a specialization in Machine Learning and Neural Computation might be sort of close to what you’re looking for, and it’s uncapped for now: http://www.cogsci.ucsd.edu/undergraduates/major/machine-learning.html#Major-Requirements
There’s also Math-CS, CS/CE/Bioinformatics too. However, if you are absolutely bent on studying Data Science/CS, I would advise you to stick with a school that admitted you to your ideal major. The CSE department admits on a lottery basis, and though the odds are pretty good, 100% at another school is even better.

Good luck with your decisions! Hopefully this helps a little.