Admitted undeclared and switching colleges: what should I expect?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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Hi everyone,

I was accepted undeclared in L&S for the physical sciences. I was wondering what I should expect when it comes to declaring my major, especially if one of these majors is in another college.

I’m trying to decide between econ, physics, chemistry (CoC) and possibly chemical engineering (also CoC).

What should I do to prepare for declaring, and how easy is the change of college process?

All opinions and advice is greatly welcome :slight_smile:

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You can major in chemistry in the College of Letters and Science as well as in the College of Chemistry.

Neither physics nor L&S chemistry is a capped major. Economics is, currently requiring a 3.0 in the prerequisite courses to declare.

To change into the College of Chemistry, see the following:
http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/current-students/change-of-college
However, it does not indicate how difficult (GPA wise) it is to be admitted.

You probably want to follow the frosh schedule for chemical engineering and chemistry (including Chemistry 4A and 4B), since it will also cover the physics major (with the needed math and physics courses). Of course, if you have advanced placement in math, you may be able to start in a higher math course than Math 1A; if so, you may also be able to start Physics 7A or H7A in your first semester instead of your second semester. You can take Economics 1 or 2 some time in your first two semesters if you do not already have a 4 or higher in both AP economics tests.

By sophomore year, you should have a better idea of which of chemistry, physics, and economics you find most interesting. Or you can continue with Chemistry 112A, Physics 7C, and Economics 101A or 101B if you are still undecided.

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Information on your prospective majors:

http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/degrees/cheme
http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/degrees/chem
http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/degrees/chem/ba

http://physics.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/_/PDF/phys_major_blltn_boggscrnt.pdf

https://www.econ.berkeley.edu/undergrad/prospective/freshmen

Note that economics majors interested in graduate study in economics, or who want a more mathematical treatment, should take additional math (53, 54, and more) and choose Economics 101A, 101B, and 141 instead of 100A, 100B, and 140).