Ask questions about Cal Berkeley here!

<p>Yes, there is a CS major in L&S.
[Degree</a> Programs | EECS at UC Berkeley](<a href=“Academics | EECS at UC Berkeley”>Academics | EECS at UC Berkeley)</p>

<p>L&S CS requires 15 courses.
Economics with less math requires 12 courses.
Economics with more math requires 14 courses, plus additional math is desirable if going to graduate school in economics.</p>

<p>However, the majors overlap in Math 1A and 1B, and Math 54 if you are doing economics with more math. Additionally, one of Economics 101A, 101B, or 141 taken for the more math economics option can be used as an [upper</a> division technical elective for L&S CS](<a href=“http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/csugrad/tech_electives.shtml]upper”>CS Major Upper Division Degree Requirements | EECS at UC Berkeley). So that means 2 to 4 overlapping courses, which means a total of 25 courses needed to complete both majors. And if you have AP credit for Math 1A and/or Math 1B, then you can further reduce the number of courses. A 4 or 5 on both AP economics exams fulfills Economics 1 as well.</p>

<p>That still leaves space in your schedule to take the 4 to 5 courses you will need for the [L&S</a> 7-course breadth](<a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/requirement/7breadth.html]L&S”>http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/requirement/7breadth.html), and up to 2 courses for [url=&lt;a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/requirement/rc.html]L&S”&gt;Reading & Composition | L&S Advising]L&S</a> reading and composition<a href=“which%20may%20be%20fulfilled%20by%20AP%20English%20credit%20with%20high%20enough%20scores”>/url</a>, assuming you take about 32 courses in 8 semesters.</p>

<p>Is UCB economics professors difficult on passing students with As and Bs. Do they try to flunk students out of the business major? Can you tell me anything you know about the business major and required GPA to submit appl to the major? How about the core reqd like Eng, Hist, political sci, etc. Are they overall more difficult than other UC or about the same difficulty? Thanks.</p>

<p>This question is from incoming freshman. I am still not sure about my major and how difficult is to change major. for e.g. I want to change major from economics to applied math in the same college and at the same time how difficult/possible to do double major in both.
Thanks in advance</p>

<p>Freshmen entering the College of Letters and Science enter as undeclared. You will then have to complete the prerequisites for the desired major and declare the major. Most majors can just be declared after completing the prerequisites in good academic standing, but a few have higher GPA or other standards and need to be applied to (these are the capped majors listed [here](<a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/major/majorlist.html]here[/url]”>http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/major/majorlist.html)</a>). Economics is currently a capped major, but applied math is not.</p>

<p>To major in something in a different division (e.g. College of Engineering, College of Chemistry, School of Business Administration, College of Natural Resources, College of Environmental Design), you must apply to change to that division and the major within it.</p>

<p>In terms of double majoring in economics and applied math, it should not be that difficult if you plan your schedule carefully. If you take about 32 courses total over 8 semesters, you will need 13 for applied math, 8-11 more non-overlapping courses for economics, 2 for reading and composition, and 3-6 for L&S 7 course breadth. Some introductory level courses may be fulfilled with AP credit (e.g. 5 on calculus AB = Math 1A, 5 on calculus BC = Math 1A-1B, 4 on both economics = Economics 1, 4 on English language or literature = reading and composition A, 5 on English literature = reading and composition A and B), reducing the number of courses needed.</p>

<p>I really want to enjoy my college experience, but at the same time, I want to get things done.
Should I use my APs to get some classes cleared out? </p>

<p>5: APs English 3 (Lit), Psychology, World History, US History
4: Cal AB
Expecting to take AP exams for AP Eng 4 (Lang), Econ, Gov, Studio Art, and Spanish</p>

<p>The AP tests will get you credit towards the total units needed for graduation, but not all that much otherwise. The breadth requirements (7 categories) that College of Letters and Sciences students take don’t get satisfied by APs and many majors have only 1 or 2 classes that an AP will stand in place of. </p>

<p>Notably, Calculus can get credited against first year Calc coursework, English APs may waive the need for some of the Reading and Comprehension requirements, and History will check off the UC history requirement, but mostly these are useful as they give you a start towards the 120 units for a degree, they elevate your position above incoming freshman with no units earned, and may help you get earlier/better registration times.</p>

<p>Thanks for giving such a great feedback. I have question about the pre business administration in regards to the Hass business school. Does it require any specific major and what happens if someone is planning to do double major along with applying there ?<br>
Thanks again in advance.</p>

<p>Hi everyone! So I’ve got a couple questions that I could really use some answers for:</p>

<p>First, I was admitted into the college of letters and science. The two majors Im interested in, economics or environmental economics, are both “Capped” majors. My questions is that what is the likelihood of getting into a capped major as a freshman? and what is the selection process for capped majors? As in, how do they choose who gets to get in?</p>

<p>And second, I’m also interested in business. How hard is it to transfer into the Haas school of business for an undergraduate program? Again, what is the selection process?</p>

<p>Any answers will be greatly appreciated. thanks!</p>

<p>After being admitted, I saw that I was invited to a free Overnight Host Program which is on April 13-14 or 20-21. It says this is offered to 800 students so I was wondering if this is a recommended program. Can anyone who went in the past list any pros and cons of going? Also, why was I offered this program? The FAQ has a list of criteria they looked for in admits but I didn’t match any of them…</p>

<p>I’m going to try and help to the best of my knowledge (which isn’t as much as some of the others on here). </p>

<p>@fervid and HillsofChino:</p>

<p>For Haas admissions, there are a number of pre-reqs that you have to take. You can apply for UGBA as long as you fulfill those pre-reqs (of course, ideally, you’d have gotten As on all of them, plus have great leadership experience + extra curricular involvement on campus, etc.) The process involves an online application, with some essays. You’ll be evaluated on the abovementioned criteria (note- there is no teacher recommendation component).</p>

<p>There is no specific major required prior to entering Haas - if you want to do a double major, go ahead and structure your courses so that you’ll be on track to graduate with your second major as well as finish all the pre-reqs by the Haas application deadline (somewhere in the first semester of sophomore year). Results come out during the second semester of sophomore year.</p>

<p>What I’ve heard is that the chances for Haas are 50%.</p>

<p>As for capped majors, each department is different - economics has several pre-reqs, and as long as you do well in them, you should have a good shot. I’m not the best person to answer this, sorry.</p>

<p>@mysweetwawa: The program consists on on-campus tours and activities, lectures with professors, talks and workshops, and you get to stay in the dorms with a student host that’s assigned to you. You will be flown in for this program (if necessary - Cal pays for it) and basically it’s all expense paid, designed to entice students who potentially have offers from schools such as the Ivies/S/M etc. to come to Cal instead. Student hosts are given free rein over what activities to hold at the dorms after the day activities are over - when I hosted a student we went to get ice cream sandwiches, toured some Berkeley neighbourhoods, and so on. Some hosts even brought their students to hike to the Big C, watch the sunrise, go to frat parties (although this is not condoned by the admin… but it still happens), eat at the dining commons, etc.</p>

<p>As far as I can see, there are no cons - except for the inconvenience of leaving home for 2 days. Everything is arranged and paid for, and it’s a whole load of fun. You get to experience the way of life here at Cal before anyone else, see the dorms, the DCs, lectures… it’s a great program. </p>

<p>As for why you were offered the program - I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter! You were, and you should come. You’ll enjoy it (:</p>

<p>Thank you so much! I’ve already RSVP’d and am waiting for a confirmation email. I’m already set on attending Cal but since I’m a worrywart, I decided I needed to take advantage of this program before actually moving in. Again, thanks for the info!</p>

<p>Thank you very much for your help. It’s starting to put my mind at ease, at least for now :]</p>

<p>Do you guys know how I’ll be affected if I am attending the Fall Program for Freshman as a Spring admit and I’m planning to be a CS Major? I’ve heard things like I can’t take CS61 until I make it into berkeley in the spring semester, so won’t I be a little behind in declaring my CS Major?</p>

<p>FPF does not offer CS 61A, so you would have to wait until spring to take it. However, it should not be too much of a problem in terms of progress in the L&S CS major – you will still be able to complete CS 61B and 61C before junior year.</p>

<p>I am currently in a California community college. I completed 32 UC (University of California) transferable units so far with a 3.53 GPA. I’m in clubs, but not in leadership positions yet. If I raise my GPA in the upcoming semesters, what do you think my chance of getting into UC Berkeley Haas of Business as an undergrad would be? I got a “B” grade in Macroeconomics if that helps. Will that hurt my chances? When a UC (University of California) accepts you after they reviewed your application and personal statement, what grades/GPA do you need to maintain for them to not revoke your acceptance? Please help!</p>

<p>I am going to be entering FPF program in the Fall and was admitted as a Pre-Business major. Looking at how difficult it might be to get into the Haas I am looking at possibly changing my major to Economics. First of all I would like to know how difficult will this be and second I would like to know if I can take prerequisites that will satisfy both Economics and Pre-Business that way I can hold of in changing my major.</p>

<p>@caligirl925: You enter as undeclared, not pre-business. What you indicated on your application was just a reference and NOT a binding agreement. You can be whatever L&S major you want (also, there’s not such thing as a pre-business major; saying you’re pre-business is just stating your intentions to apply, that’s all). Thus, there’s no such thing as “switching” - you can just start pursuing your economics major straight away.</p>

<p>Also, it’s up to you to plan your schedule so there’s no problem in taking UGBA 10 (business pre-req) together with Econ 1/100A/101A etc. (econ pre-reqs) at the same time. You can also take Stat courses that satisfy both major pre-reqs.</p>

<p>How does the roommate situation work for freshman? Do we fill out a survey and get matched up with someone similar or is it completely random? I am very worried about being matched up with someone that I might not be too compatible with especially because I have a boyfriend who will be visiting often and I don’t want the roomie to be a stickler about guests</p>

<p>^ I’d also like to figure out the roommate situation too.</p>

<p>and i have a few more questions, if anyone can answer them i would be much obliged!

  1. does the sheer size of berkeley’s student body ever overwhelm you? (I attend a small international school, 1000 peer freshmen is enough to be a bit of a shock) How often can you just go out into the quad or library and find familiar faces to chat and study with?
  2. how are the social science classes? I’ve heard very grueling stories from mostly science/math type majors, but i don’t hear as much from l&s students. are they challenging enough, are grades/class pacing still reasonable, are class sizes still small? I don’t mind large lecture settings for intro classes, but once you get down to electives and the seven breadth requirements are they more manageable?
  3. does it ever feel lonely on campus? i dont mind independence, and reaching out to others first, but as i mentioned before, it gets tiring and id like to have genuine relationships with the people i meet.
  4. what about work opportunities/internships? especially for a nonresident (which is an odd situation for me considering i’m a citizen who grew up in california) is it easy to get those opportunities provided i apply early, prepared, etc?
  5. how is the housing? ive tried to find photos of the dorms online and aside from the exterior i dont know much about them (which is why the only residence hall i like is bowles, which i assume isn’t for freshmen)</p>

<p>Roommates - you will fill out a very brief questionnaire about your habits and styles, things like whether you tend to go to sleep early and early or the opposite. That is part of the matching process. </p>

<p>Each applicant for housing is assigned a random position, with rooming assigned in sequence by that position. It has nothing to do with when you apply for housing as long as it is by the deadline. You will specify a list of preferences for room types and dorm locations. When your number comes up, it looks for your first choice and satisifies that if inventory is available. If not, your number two choice, and so on. Your last choice has to be ‘anything’ and if you were unlucky, with a number near the end, you will receive what is left. If lucky, you get first pick. Most are in the middle, not the optimum but a reasonable choice. </p>

<p>As far as dealing with a roommate, this is one of the learning experiences of college life. You don’t always know how you will get along with someone, even a friend, when sharing a room. There are rules for successful coexistence set for the dorms, there is a residential advisor for each small block of rooms that will help broker compromises, and there are ways to deal with problems that aren’t resolved directly. When you move in, you and your roommates are asked to negotiate an agreement and sign it, agreeing to some personal rules about turning out lights, overnight guests, noise, study time, etc. </p>

<p>If you end up not getting along particularly well with the roommate, it isn’t that big a deal because you are mixing with the students in all the rooms on your floor, and with other floors. You are not ‘stuck’ with your roommate as the only person with whom you have to socialize. Don’t like them? Spend the minimum courteous time with them, drop in and chat with the next door neighbor you do like. Most rooms are set up with an open door policy, people wander in and out of each others rooms to chat.</p>