Accepted at UCLA. What are my chances of switching majors from psychology to math?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

To make a long story short, I applied to UCLA with the intention of majoring in psychology but have realized since that time that I want to major in mathematics. In particular, I want to major in Mathematics, B.S (not any applied math or statistics).

I know that UCLA states at the bottom of the admission portal that they typically do not accept change of major requests from transfers. But right below that it lists the majors that a transfer student is forbidden from changing into. This suggests that there is some degree of flexibility for non-impacted majors, else they wouldn’t bother listing the “off-limits” majors.

I also came across an old thread created by someone in a similar predicament to me two years back. A math major on there from UCLA said that as long as the OP could maintain a 4.0 in Calc III, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra they were “1000% sure” that he would have no problem getting into the math major.

Is this true? It sounds comforting but it’s a big decision to SIR and I want to be 100% sure. Any math majors out there that transferred with a different major originally?

I mean I assumed the same, i.e. that if I can just keep straight A’s in math, why wouldn’t they want me in the math major? I can’t imagine that after two quarters of being there, if I’ve completed all the remaining math courses (and one physics and one programming course), and have a 4.0 in the major prerequisites, that they would deny me entrance to a non-impacted major.

Especially if I’m allowed to start taking upper division math courses. It would get to the point where it would make little sense for them to disapprove of the switch (if I have have the major completed and really good grades, for instance). However, I don’t want to waste two or three quarters of time and then find out I was wrong, either.

I got into UCSB and they’ve already gone ahead and switched me to pre mathematics. So if I want to major in math bad enough I can do that there. UCSB is still an excellent school too. But it would just feel extremely strange to turn down UCLA after working so hard for it the past year and finally being accepted. Especially since my parents are so proud of me for getting in.

Also, psychology is one of the most impacted majors at UCLA. I believe the average admitted GPA is close to 3.9. So obviously I’m not trying to do a backdoor admittance or anything (since math is considerably less competitive.) I just have simply had a change in plans since applying.

I’m going to try to talk to a UCLA counselor at Bruin Day or something, but I thought you guys could give me some helpful advice here too. I’m also planning to email the math department in the next few days (after I get a chance to collect my thoughts after being accepted and send a well-written inquiry). Thanks.

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“To make a long story short” then writes his whole life story

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^Signs up for college confidential and then insults people who are seeking college-related advice.

Seriously, what’s with the attitude?

If my inquiry seems funny to you perhaps you’re on the wrong website.

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Generally, I’ve seen that majors that weren’t impacted were pretty easy to switch to if you had the pre-reqs done and got good grades in them. Of course, it’s smart of you to try and confirm this with counselors on Bruin Day, but they should be able to give you good news as well.

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In other words, I think you’ll be alright and be able to switch without much trouble. It’s not like you’re trying to switch into biz econ or bio lol

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https://www.math.ucla.edu/ugrad/majors/math-major

Ask the department directly if you have questions.

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@Cayton

Thanks for the reply.

This is what I am concerned about (as stated at the bottom of the admission contract):

“…you were admitted to UCLA according to the major you indicated on your application. It is unlikely that you will be approved to change majors after transfer. (Note: Business Economics, Economics, all Life Sciences, Psychology, and Sociology specifically prohibit changing into their departments after transfer.)”

“Unlikely” would be detouring, but “highly unlikely” sounds downright hopeless. I hope you’re right though.

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Ask the UCLA math department. It may depend on whether you have completed the lower division prerequisites for the math major such that you can complete the major without delaying graduation.

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@falltransfer1
Eeeeehh, I found that strange too since I heard from others here and at UCLA about how much easier it was to switch majors than they thought.

I guess you’ll find out when you go to bruin day. Good luck with that!

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Why wait until May? Call one of the advisors on this page and ask them https://www.math.ucla.edu/ugrad