<p>I'm already attending UCSD and I'd like to change my major to Biochem & Cell Bio, but I heard it may be easier to apply as an Ecology Biology Evolution major and just switch my majors once I make it into the department. What do you guys think? How accurate is this? I heard from other students that when you apply you are just applying to the department, so the actual major doesn't matter.</p>
<p>If it was just as easy as switching majors once you get into the department then I don’t understand why it would be easier to get into EBE in the first place. Therefore I don’t believe that but I guess I don’t explicitly know.</p>
<p>Well, I’ve heard from other students that higher % of people who apply to the bio department as EBE get accepted, although I’m not sure how accurate this claim is. They say this is because less students apply to this major making it slightly less competitive. The school, however, says you do not apply to a specific major, but to the department. Some students claim that the school purposely doesnt tell you that it is slightly easier to get in to EBE major since you can switch between any major once in. Just trying to assimilate everyone’s thoughts.</p>
<p>I tell people it’s easier to apply EBE because you don’t have to complete CHEM 7L to do the impacted major process. A lot of freshmen+sophomores have difficulty getting into the lab class and when you’re still adjusting to the system it’s a pain in the butt trying to finish the physics, bio and chem series with a 7hr lab class on top of that.</p>
<p>Thus, it’s “easier” to apply EBE in exceptional admission because fulfilling bild2 for EBE (which some majors do not require and is easily waived by AP credit) is easier than fulfilling chem7L. I still believe that you are applying to the department and not the specific major, but I don’t work for them so this is just my opinion :)</p>
<p>Okay thanks for clarifying that. I think the people I talked to may be misled.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take AP Bio, so I can’t test out of Bild 2. Is Bild 2 and easier class than Chem 7L? Are the labs more difficult than the regular classes? Personally, I find chemistry very difficult so I think applying as a EBE major might help me since my main priority is getting into the department. However, I haven’t taken a Bio course yet, so I can’t say for sure. </p>
<p>Also I have another quick question. Do you have to have all of your lower division courses completed before you apply or do you have to just be registered in them? For example I’m taking Math 20B, Chem6A, and SDCC1(I’m god awful at writing) and a Bio engineering Seminar this quarter. Next quarter I plan on taking Math 10C, Chem 6B, Bild 1 and another freshman seminar. If I take to two science courses per a quarter, I should finish all of my prequisites by the end of my spring quarter. I know you’re supposed to apply in Spring, so if I’m enrolled in the classes will that count as finished pre-reqs? Or will I have to triple up on Bio, chem and physics at some point?</p>
<p>According to this question on their FAQ ([Exceptional</a> Admission FAQ](<a href=“http://biology.ucsd.edu/undergrad/emfaq.html]Exceptional”>http://biology.ucsd.edu/undergrad/emfaq.html)), it sounds like you have to be in the process of completing them:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So if you are applying in spring and want all LDs completed, you have to take them in that spring quarter.</p>
<p>I passed out of the biology series so I can’t answer questions about difficulty. The biggest thing about all labs is they are A) more difficult to enroll in due to space limitations and B) more time consuming (spend more hours “in class” compared to non-lab courses). These are things to keep in mind if you are planning an already heavy schedule, that’s all.</p>
<p>The biology website and the advisors are excellent at answering any other questions you might have about exceptional admission too.</p>
<p>I understand momosky reasoning on what he/she said and that logic seems valid. I still believe what the department says over what random people say though about applying to the department. Just my opinion. I will say though that BILD 2 is much easier than CHEM 7L hands down. CHEM 7L unfortunately is pretty tough (at least for most people including myself).</p>
<p>CHEM 7L is a lot harder than BILD2. Labs are generally take up more of your time. I personally think there’s not as much studying involved, but writing lab reports and reading up lab procedures before each lab really takes up your time.</p>