I was just recently accepted to Viterbi for Mechanical Engineering as a Junior Transfer for Fall 2015. I’m thinking that I may want to switch majors to Electrical Engineering before the semester begins. Does anyone have any experience with switching a major within Viterbi and how easy it is? ( I have the pre reqs done for both majors)
Super easy especially within engineering. You can even do at orientation, but not necessary to act that quickly. You will take the engineering overview course (Engineering 102) right away and there are some EE courses that are fundamental to a lot of the Engineering majors anyway if you want to take one of those right away. And you will probably start with math, writing 140, 102, courses that apply to all eng majors. If you want you may want to get that intro engineering course under your belt and be sure you want to change, you may even find a passion for a different engineering field. There is no rush, wouldn’t hurt to do it after first semester or anytime. The beauty of USC and a lot of privates - flexibility!
Awesome! Thank you so much for the reply, lots of great info. Are you a current Viterbi student?
@CADREAMIN Would a Junior transfer take Engr 102? Thought it was only for Freshman?
I am parent of CS double major, second student I have at USC, and he is also a TA there (whatever relevance that has…). Didn’t realize you were transfer, so I am not sure if you would take 102. You may be more sure of what you want then cause you have some background? Still doesn’t matter, switching can be done at orientation or started at any meeting you have with an advisor. (I believe if you go to the Viterbi office to change they will tell you to meet with advisor, just so you get your plan laid out properly.) But rest assured changing is easy, check out the course plans on line for any of the engineering majors, they are also in that Viterbi handbook and get familiar with what you want to take before orientation. The more familiar you are with the requirements the better and more productive orientation or advisor meetings will be.
Okay thanks again… It’s great to hear USC is so flexible. UC’s are typically much more strict when it comes to changing major. I have checked out the course plans, both majors interest me but I think the deciding factor is that I am very interested in energy conversion research, which is leading me more towards switching into EE.
Totally different world than a UC, and the reason we picked USC/private. Couple of mine got into UCLA but didn’t want to get locked in one thing. UCs can be great if you are sure you know what you want to do and never want to change. Otherwise it can be brutal or take a really long time to graduate. You will love the ease at which you can make life the way you want it to be at USC. Are your writing classes done coming in? There are a couple science based writing courses (one in 150, the other in 340 I believe) where you could probably do papers on the area you are interested in…if you are going to go through the pain of a writing course it oughta be in something that interests you!
Viterbi is flexible regarding the opportunity to change majors. The one exception may be for the games major. That does not appear to be one of your interests. Best wishes on your admittance.
If you are a female, Viterbi has a fine support system for women in engineering.
@“Georgia Girl” Not a female, but that is a good thing to know. I spoke to a counselor a few days ago and they said I’m admitted to all majors within Viterbi because of my acceptance to ME major.