<p>Hi guys, I'm interested in the computer science major and am planning on applying to Berkeley in the fall. Apparently there are two CS majors, one in the College of Engineering (EECS) and one in the College of Letter and Science. So far the generalization I heard is that EECS is way harder to get into and is more technical oriented, while L&S CS has more liberal arts component. If so, which is more favored by the job industry? Is a B.S more favored by the companies? Also, if I apply undeclared into L&S, how hard is it to transfer to EECS? </p>
<p>Thank you </p>
<p>Transferring into EECS from L&S is very, very competitive. Still do-able, but not easy. <a href=“Change of college - Berkeley Engineering”>http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/current-undergraduates/change-of-college</a></p>
<p>In terms of jobs, there’s literally no difference. Poke around on here and see where the L&S CS and EECS folk tend to end up: <a href=“https://career.berkeley.edu/Major2012/Major.stm”>https://career.berkeley.edu/Major2012/Major.stm</a></p>
<p>If your goal is CS/software, the biggest differences are coursework and administrative things. EECS follows the CoE breadth requirements and has more technical classes. L&S CS is a little more humanities oriented. Both pretty much take the same CS classes. For admissions purposes, EECS is much harder to get into, but if you’re in you’re in. For L&S, admissions are easier (still not easy, but easier) but you enter as undeclared… then need to keep a 3.0+ in pre-reqs before you can declare CS.</p>
<p>For most CS employment, L&S CS versus EECS does not matter.</p>
<p>EECS majors can emphasize EE without needing to take upper division CS courses. L&S CS majors must take at least five upper division CS courses and two technical electives (which may be CS, but may also be EE or other subjects).</p>
<p>If you want to take the patent exam, an EECS degree qualifies for the prerequisite due to its ABET accreditation, while an L&S CS major would need to follow the requirements for sufficient science (e.g. physics, chemistry, and/or biology) courses specified as prerequisites for the patent exam.</p>
<p>As an L&S undeclared students, changing into EECS will be more difficult than declaring the L&S CS major.</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies. So it appears that if I want to focus more on CS, it’s better for me to apply into L&S (not to mention easier? Haha)?</p>
<p>Also, just out of curiosity, what is the range for the EECS admit (from high school) in terms of GPA and test scores?</p>