Hi! I was wondering if I wanted to major in Data Science in the Donald Bren School of Computers, will this affect my chance at being admitted? Am I treated as any other applicant or does this mean I have a lower chance getting into data science than majoring in math at the Physical Sciences school or undeclared? I’m applying as a freshman fyi
Hi Takiyaki. I am a transfer student at UC Irvine recently admitted for Fall 2017. UC Irvine is a very competitive school to get into - especially for freshmen. When you apply you will be allowed to choose both a major and an alternate major, so in case they don’t accept you on your first choice, you may still be admitted on your alternate. What’s your GPA? As you would have to have an astounding GPA and a proceeding extracurricular profile to be admitted as an undeclared. How well have you prepared to be a data science or math major? The schools that are in charge of these majors are all looking for certain things. As a freshman, you should check out the major on the UCI website and view the requirements, if possible visit a UCI counselor to see what they look for in incoming applicants.
UCI admits into the University first, then into the major. Definitely select a first choice and alternate major. If you do not get your first choice, then you can change majors as outlined in the link below, however even if you meet the change of major requirements, there is no guarantee you can switch. Also UCI is overenrolled this year, so it may be a tougher admit.
http://changeofmajor.uci.edu/school-of-information-and-computer-sciences/
To be a competitive applicant, you want to be at or above the following averages:
UCI Freshman profile 2017:
GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students
High School GPA UC capped weighted: 4.00 - 4.25
ACT Composite Score: 26 - 32
ACT English Language Arts : 24 - 30
SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing: 590 - 680
SAT Mathematics: 600 - 740
SAT Essay: 15 - 18
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Best of luck.