Hi everyone,
I know UCLA has a strict process for students who want to become a Comm Studies major. I went to their information session about a year ago, but I’m not sure if I remembered this correctly: one of the speakers there said something about taking upper division Comm Studies courses to make your application more competitive? But I’ve also heard that they recommend that you plan your schedule as if you will not get in. Which is correct?
Does this mean that they don’t want you to take Comm Studies courses restricted only to the major, but other courses that apply to the major but are not restricted (such as FTV 106A)? But then again, don’t they want you take courses that are titled “Communication Studies” (Comm Studies 102, 151, 175, etc), which I assume are all restricted?
I think part of what they are saying is the process to become a Comm. Studies major is competitive and even though you will want to maximize your chances of getting into the major by doing well in relevant Comm. Studies coursework, you should also have a contingency plan ready in case you’re not accepted. So if you continue taking classes in your current major or classes that fulfill requirements (i.e. GE or for another major you might eventually switch to) in addition to a few Comm. Studies classes to boost your chances, it won’t set you back too far in the case they don’t admit you, since it would end up being a waste to take a bunch of Comm. Studies classes that are specific to the major and won’t satisfy requirements elsewhere.
Some upper division classes may be restricted on the first pass but for many they open up to pre-majors or all students on the second pass, so check for that.