EECS vs. CS in L&S?

<p>So I was admitted to EECS within the College of Engineering, but I'm afraid that it's going to be way too competitive and preventative of any kind of social life. I'm really much more interested in computer science than electrical engineering, and I think I may want to minor or double major in English just because I like it. Should I switch to L&S, and if so would getting a B.A. in CS instead of a B.S. be worse in any way when it comes to applying to graduate schools?</p>

<p>You sound much more like a L&S Compsci student. The L&S compsi major offers you a lot more freedom with your elective courses.</p>

<p>If you work hard, it shouldn't hurt your chances much when applying to grad school.</p>

<p>What is it generally about EECS that makes it so competitive? Also, does anyone know what the process is for switching to L&S from CoE? Can I take some prerequisites that fit both and decide after a semester or two? Thanks everybody.</p>

<p>bump......</p>

<p>Switching from CoE to L&S is a hassle, but it is far easier than transferring the other way around. I would definitely start taking prereqs that can be fulfilled for both majors if you're not sure about switching colleges.</p>

<p>I don't that EECS is so competitive, it just is a lot of work. You have to take physics (three semesters righ?), for instance, which isn't required for CS.</p>

<p>L&S CS students are in no way disadvantaged compared to EECS students in admissions to graduate school in CS or in getting a job in the software industry. If you do decide to come to Cal (please do!) you will have very little difficulty transferring from EECS to L&S CS if you want to.</p>

<p>follow the strict CS part of the EECS major when you get here in Fall 08, and then find out whether you can get out in Spring '09 or if you have to wait till Fall '09</p>

<p>I would definitely recommend that you switch to L&S and major in CS. EECS is CS plus a lot more EE classes, physics classes, etc. I'm like you, I enjoy CS but despise EE. Majoring in EECS over CS just means you have to do that much more work, and you make the same money coming out of college! (and I don't think it makes a difference to grad schools) Heck, majoring in CS will suck up most of your time and prevent you (somewhat) from having a social life.</p>

<p>Also, according to Cal's Career Center, CS majors earn more than EECS majors on average, median, 75th and 25th percentile.</p>

<p>Career</a> Center - What Can I Do With a Major In...?
Career</a> Center - What Can I Do With a Major In...?</p>

<p>On a side note...do any CS majors at Berkeley know if it is possible to take CS61A and CS61C during the summer? Is that too much load?</p>

<p>That's data from when CS was still impacted. Now that CS is uncapped, I think the salary will probably take a little dip. Still surprising though.</p>

<p>I wouldn't take CS61A and CS61C at the same time. It's summer, lighten up. You'll be burnt out come fall.</p>

<p>


</p>

<p>Do you have link to CS being uncapped? Everything I'm looking at still states that I'm going into L&S undeclared and I have to apply for CS after my first semester.</p>

<p><a href="http://ls-major.berkeley.edu/capped.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://ls-major.berkeley.edu/capped.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Not on the capped list anymore</p>

<p>Thanks I was looking all over for that</p>

<p>Thanks to everybody for replying.</p>

<p>What's the difference between the CSE option in the engineering school and CS within L&S? When you click on the "Computer Science and Engineering" link at <a href="http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/education/degrees.shtml%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/education/degrees.shtml&lt;/a>, it takes you to information about a B.A. in CS from L&S. Also, is CSE a less intense option if you can get out of Math 1a, Math 1b, Physics 7a, Biology 1a, Biology 1b, and the freshman English requirements? Aren't these some of the weeder classes?</p>

<p>Another reason not to take the EECS vs L&S CS salary difference too seriously: software jobs tend (at least anecdotally) to pay more than hardware jobs, and the career web site does not disaggregate hardware-focused vs. software-focused EECS students.</p>