<p>I just recently found out that at LA and Berkeley (the only 2 UC's I am seriously considering, though I've gotten into Davis and SD), declaring majors is a one-shot deal-aka, if you get rejected once (e.g. to get into Haas Business at UCB or Comm at UCLA), you are highly discouraged from applying again since your chances are slim to none.</p>
<p>Is that how it works at USC?
Please tell me that if I get rejected from Annenberg or Marshall once, I can re-apply soon after?</p>
<p>at orientation, i knew this guy who was accepted as a psychology major decide right before our advisement that he wanted to change to business administration instead. he just talked to the business administration advisor and they let him go with the business administration people instead of the psych people to register for classes.</p>
<p>USC isn't burdened by budget cuts, so switching majors is as easy as filling out a form and possibly getting some department signatures. This also means you aren't screwed if your grades in your major-related classes aren't the best first semester because you can switch if it doesn't work out. USC also has this "Freshman forgiveness" policy that I fortunately have never had to use.</p>
<p>freshman forgiveness is when a "true" freshman (not a transfer, for example) gets a D+ or lower grade in a course their first or second semester.</p>
<p>USC allows them to re-take the course and count <em>only</em> the second grade in the GPA (up to 3 different courses). Both will appear on the transcript, but it lets otherwise good students who get into grade trouble to avoid having a giant GPA pit that they can never crawl out of.</p>
<p>For example, suppose a student gets 3 D grades their first semester and gets straight-A's for the rest of their college career. Their GPA, despite having an absolutely stellar 7 semesters, would only have a 3.7 average. And of course, the GPA hit is harder on students because most don't get straight-A's.</p>
<p>what happens if you go in with one major (like polysci or something) and then decide that you want to be in business or communications- can you transfer into a specific school Ilike marshall or annenberg)or is it really really hard?</p>
<p>I am 99% positive you will get into the major of your choice if you're undecided or you want to go into something else. It'll at least require some paperwork and departmental clearance, possibly other stuff, but USC will not keep you from pursuing what interests you. Guaranteed.</p>
<p>The "freshman forgiveness" sounds like a very compassionate program. I hear that CalTech is only Pass/Fail 1st year, which helps ease students into their system & its rigors as well.
Had never heard of "freshman forgiveness" & it's nice to know. Thanks for explaining it so well--hopefully its rarely needed. <grin> :)</grin></p>