<p>I plan on changing my major from Bio-Engineering Biotechnology to NanoEngineering with Bioengineering focus. I was doing the plan, and if I only take 16 a quarter and 12 summer, I'll still be short 2 classes to graduate in 2 years after transferring.</p>
<p>However, if I can squeeze in one extra class for two quarters, I can graduate in two years and my degree will be 4 years total rather than being 4.5 (Super Senior).</p>
<p>I'm an older student, so graduating soon is desirable. However, I never experienced much of a college life my first two years. </p>
<p>I understand I might sacrifice my GPA if I do this, but I think at worst, my GPA will be a 3.5 those quarters. I can make it back up by working hard during my 16 unit quarters. I also have a grossly inflated "overall" GPA from my community college years. </p>
<p>I understand my GPA won't transfer over and I'll be starting fresh, but for applying to graduate school or getting a job, employers look at the overall GPA, not just your UC GPA. </p>
<p>Anyone here squeezed this out? I think I can make up my social missing by being more social during my 16 unit terms.</p>
<p>Since you don’t go to UCSD already… don’t “estimate” what your GPA will be, you may end up disappointed. 20 units sucks but is doable, I’m doing it this quarter. I don’t have much of a social life but I’ll survive!</p>
<p>Mind you… 16 units is still considered a heavy course load if you’re taking all science/engineering/math classes. 16 units isn’t considered ‘normal’ for everyone–some people only take 12 units each quarter. UCSD is harder than you may expect.</p>
<p>even 3 upper div classes for your major can get pretty difficult for certain majors.</p>
<p>add in 2 more and you might be asking for death.</p>
<p>if you are taking like 2 upper div and like 3 simple ge classes, then u can pull it off. but i would think twice about taking like 4-5 upper div classes only</p>
<p>There’s not a great correlation between units, GPA, and social life. I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Also, 20 units isn’t all that terrible. I once took 28 units (including some graduate courses and multiple upper division labs), but I survived with straight As. I know others who have taken 28 units successfully too. But I have friends who have consistently have trouble with 16 units too. The point is that the difficulty varies from person to person. It’s hard for us to give general advice.</p>
<p>You could also consider taking summer classes. I know some people do that.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how tough it would be for a political science major to take 20 units a quarter. I’m in the same situation because I was in community college for 3 years so I would like to graduate within a year so I can graduate “on time” and with my friends. I’m transferring with 105 units and am taking 8 units this summer. My schedule for the year would look something like 20/20/20/8. I will be working about 10-15 hours a week. Also, is it a bad idea to take 20 units my first quarter even though I’ve already taken summer school courses so I’m already pretty adjusted to the system.</p>
<p>PoliSci is one of those weird majors that you can’t easily pack on the units–constant paper assignments will prevent you from being able to cram like many of us do for Math, Econ, or Psych. I wouldn’t recommend that courseload unless your goal is just to pass and not get a 4.0.</p>