Hi guys,
I just got into UCLA with a Geography major want to switch into Biology. Have close to half of biology pre reqs done. I don’t need advice/comments on how slim my chances are, I am all too aware. I want to know of other success stories out there? Has anyone ever made a big change in majors post transferring? Thanks.
It isn’t going to happen.
I’m sorry. I’m not usually a negative source of information and I know you don’t want to hear how unlikely it is. But I’m not saying it’s unlikely. I’m saying it’s impossible. This is at the end of our admissions contract page:
"Your admission to UCLA is subject to cancellation if the information you submitted on your application and/or by written or verbal communication with our office does not match official documentation. Additionally, you were admitted to UCLA according to the major you indicated on your application. It is unlikely that you will be approved to change majors after transfer. (Note: Business Economics, Economics, all Life Sciences, Psychology, and Sociology specifically prohibit changing into their departments after transfer.)
Don’t listen to these downers. UCLA is one of the easiest universities to get into so I do not see why it would be impossible to change from geography to biology. It’s not like you’re transferring to Harvard or something.
That’s helpful, thank you. I asked because my life goal is to become a doctor and I love geography however I’m worried that my geography degree won’t be enough. They say that you could do pre-med anything to get into med school but all the pre-med stats for med schools consist mainly of people who have done biology, biochemistry, physics etc.
“UCLA is one of the easiest universities to get into” lol
Anyway, while it is true that the idea that it is universally difficult to switch majors after transferring is simply not true, there are indeed several programs at every UC that forbid major changes. Life science programs at UCLA happen to be one of them. You cannot even petition to switch to Biology. It will not even be entertained.
However, I feel that the real issue here is the uncertainty that you feel about majoring in geography. Medical schools will expect that you have satisfied their entry requirements, maintained a high GPA, and put forth a good application. They don’t care what the title of your bachelor degree happened to be. Geography even lends itself to medical studies and global health. Study something that you are fascinated by will make these years far more fulfilling.
Edit: UCLA also has several minors centered around medicine and biomedical research.
Medical schools could care less what you major in. In fact, if you look at the admissions rates for various schools by major, life sciences generally have a lower acceptance rate than other majors like psychology (which is becoming very popular).
I think geography is fine, if not better than biology since it’s less common.
Since the admission rate at UCLA is 17%, that statement is provably false.