I’m trying to increase my chances at getting into UCSB and UCD as much as possible, and I’m unsure of applying for CompSci due to the mixed opinions on forums I’ve been reading.
I’ve read forums and articles that say “the UCs admit undergrads/freshmen before the major is considered”. Would that mean that applying for a major such as African studies, would be no different than applying for a popular major like Computer engineering/science, at any UC? (In terms of admit chances), or am I missing something here?
My stats a bit under the average for these schools; would appreciate feedback on whether selecting certain majors would really drop my chances of acceptance.
Looking at physics or Computer science at SB. Looking at Aerospace Eng or Computer science at Davis.
Ultimately, I believe I would enjoy Computer science a little bit more at these schools, but I’ve heard too much about CompSci being tough major to get into.
Stats:
3.96 UC GPA
33 ACT
Good-Great Essays
Normal E.Cs (200 hours)
Asian, 150k~ income
In state
You’re in for both. I got accepted into SB and waitlisted then accepted into Davis with similar stats for EE. I got a 2130 sat and a 3.96 ish UC GPA as well.
@iamjack haha thanks for the reassurance, just not sure if I should back away from CompSci since people complain that its just too tough to get into
The bar for these schools seems to creep up a little every year. Your GPA is a little low but, your ACT is well above average. With good to great essays, you’ll probably get in. Undeclared would probably improve you chances, particularly at UCSB whose engineering school is pretty small. The challenge will be earning your way into CS once you are there. If you are flexible on your major, then that may be the prudent course (understanding you may not qualify for CS later.) If you just gotta study CS, then apply that way. Include UCI, UCSC and UCR on your ap list. You’ll get into at least one.
For now Davis is easier to switch.
https://engineering.ucsb.edu/prospective_undergraduates/changing_your_major
http://engineering.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/advising-q-a/#a1
@LomoKuan I think you’re in for CS as well… that what I based my chances on! And if you really wanna go to davis but scared you’ll get rejected, you can apply to the CS major in their Letters of Arts and Sciences Department. I think that’s much easier to get into.
@iamjack Any cons of applying to the Letters of Art/Science Depart Vs Engineering department? (for compsci at least)
And I may just apply for aerospace engineering…not sure how hard that is to get in.
@NCalRent UCSB : undeclared-> Compsci / Mechanical Engineering. Would you happen to know if its likely that I won’t be able to move into either major?
@LomoKuan hmm, as far as job prospects go, I don’t think there’s much of a differences, but once your in the LnS department, it’s hard to switch into the engineering department. So if you’re unsure on Aerospace or CS, then you should pick a major in the engineering department. Also I went to the Davis orientation last week, and they said aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering were the impacted majors – they did not list computer science as impacted. I still think you’ll get in for Aerospace though.
@iamjack Hm I guess I’ll apply for CS then, thanks for info
You’d need to qualify for the major change @ both schools but, the threshold is higher at UCSB. Since the Engineering College is smaller (than Davis) and popularity is rising rapidly, it may get more difficult in the coming years. The current qualification are spelled out at the link i provided above.
@NCalRent thanks for info, looks tough. Prob just gonna apply for General phys
I’m actually curious about this also. How hard is mechanical engineering to get into at UCSB and UCLA?
I have a 4.14 UC gpa and a 2100 SAT @NCalRent @iamjack
It depends on the UC, some UCs admit by major and some don’t.
@MegaMetalHead I think Mech Engineering is pretty tough at UCSB and should be a bit tough at UCLA as well. You’re looking really good for UCSB imo. So-So for LA, maybe higher score
The easiest engineering major at UCLA is Material Sciences and Engineering.
With a 4.14/2100, solid ECs and a good essay, you are a strong candidate - but, 50% of the application is subjective so, make that essay count. Apply broadly, UCs are very difficult to predict.