<p>I am an upcoming first year at UVA and I am currently in the CLAS. However, I want to major in Engineering (Not sure what kind yet). I attempted to transfer earlier in May but my request was not granted.</p>
<p>I am so confused as to what my first semester courses will be since I want to take E-school classes but am not in the E-school. Has anyone else been in my situation? If so, what did you do?</p>
<p>Also, my parents want me to take a community college course during the summer as preparation and I'm not sure what course I should take. Should it be a math, physics or engineering course? My parents suggested Applied Calculus 1 or Calculus with Analytic Geometry but would those courses be challenging? I took IB Math SL 1 and 2 in high school and they were very easy classes. I could also take Intro to Engineering or Computer Programming for Engineers.</p>
<p>Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>I have to ask…why did you apply to CLAS when you wanted to major in Enginneering? Why didn’t you apply to SEAS?</p>
<p>I also have this issue sort of. Half the schools I applied to, I applied into SEAS, the other half into A&S. The way things worked out, a good deal of disappointment later, I was heading to UVa in CLAS. The best thing obviously is to be more decisive about this before you send in applications but obviously it’s too late for that. I’m going to possibly inquire about trying to transfer to seas this weekend and see how that goes. I don’t like the way the education system is currently. Kids should be able to get the best education they want, and locking out kids from their top choices goes opposed to that. Kids should also not need to be locked into a major they don’t want from the start. So the clas/seas dilemma shouldn’t be an issue so early on. It’s hard to get a clear view of what you want to do without real word application and taking actual classes. Even so, when you get to orientation, try to sign up for classes that are flexible your first semester in that they can help with a possible engineering transfer. That’s all you can do for now. That and look at transferring out of virginia. But I wouldn’t advise even thinking about transferring until after your first semester.</p>
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On the flip side of that is that schools don’t have unlimited teaching resources and must plan accordingly. A school that makes you apply separately to a specific college is making an honest statement to you upfront: “we have limited resources for these majors and need you to make a decision earlier on your intended major.” You can’t fault them when they’re upfront about it. And you can’t fault them then for securing these resources for the students who did apply and get accepted to those programs. If this is a major concern, then there are many schools that don’t require a specialized application and transfers are easier after enrollment. Obviously as you already stated that’s a moot point at this point, but that is how the system is structured, and why. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>My friends at private and public (small) schools had to apply for their major before getting admitted, and it was very rare to be able to change, because of the extremely limited teaching resources. The schools also aimed to keep a good male/female balance. They had 0 choice as to classes their first year, their schedules were made for them along with the rest of the freshman class. UVA is not perfect, but I feel very lucky compared to that. You can always major in a hard science within CLAS if you do not do engineering.</p>
<p>UVa is not unique in requiring students to apply to engineering, architecture, or nursing separately. There are many universities where you must apply to the school of business in a similar way, as a newly admitted student. If you are unsure, or want more flexibility there are schools that allow for this. The trade off as hazel points out is more limited class offerings and availability. So while you may not be technically ‘blocked’ due to being in one school or another you are still going to experience frustrations getting classes you want. No school is going to have everything lined up exactly the way you want. You either make the commitment and work within that curriculum, knowing there’s a chance you’ll change you’re mind, or you go for less restrictions but trade off broader overall curriculum options.</p>
<p>Also, you may be misunderstanding the concept of being ‘blocked’ from CLAS courses as a SEAS student or vise versa. This is only for an initial period to rightfully give students primarily studying in that school and in need to those courses for their degree priority. Then registration opens up and you can try to get into those courses. So it’s not really ‘locked out’, but ‘priority’ given to students in that school. As a first year student it’s hard because you register last, however if you stay on the wait list, email the professor, show up the first day of class with a form to add you to the course, you can often get into the class. My son was able to take two Econ courses his first and second year as a SEAS student. I think he was 50th on the wait list initially for one.</p>
<p>FWIW, the prevailing thought if you are unsure about engineering is to start in engineering and then switch out if it’s not for you. It’s much easier then the opposite direction as you are less likely to be behind in sequences, and courses taken are more likely to fill either count toward or as electives for another degree. In other words, if you start in liberal arts and swap to engineering there is a greater chance that you may have an extra semester. If you start in engineering and move to liberal arts to study physics or math, for example, there’s a decent chance you’ll still graduate on time.</p>
<p>All of you are very right. That said, I think I waited on indecision thinking that Mcintire would be a good option in that it’s UVa’s best program (arguably), well highest ranked I should say, and money is great. I am currently doing a business internship and the same issues I had before I can still see. All the education is arbitrary, whereas with engineering you have real science applications that dont just stem the arbitrary finance created in the human world. That all still being said, the issue of education stems to grade school and the counseling involved. There are big discrepancies between kids in upper class neighborhoods and everyone else. That and the cost of college. Those are the two big issues. I didn’t have any engineering classes or such in high school where I could make an informed decision ahead of time. I’ve been riding indecision for so long. So with all that being said for me, I’m probably going to email about a possible ahead of time transfer today or tomorrow, I feel like of course that’s not going to be possible. Then all I can do is go to college and take it from there.</p>
<p>Hey kingboy, I’m in the same boat and my own forum topic has already been mentioned but I went and pulled up this email from Dean Berger since it applies to you as well.</p>
<p>"If you are committed to engineering, then I’d suggest coming to our orientation session in the summer and working with us to enroll you in engineering courses. We’ll help you as much as we can, although there may be some enrollment pressure and we cannot guarantee that we can get you into the full engineering curriculum. Whichever orientation session you attend, just come join us in engineering, no need to make a formal appointment.</p>
<p>Thanks and best wishes,
ejb"</p>
<p>Also, I would recommend taking Single Variable Calculus II (the equivalent to APMA 1110) if you have already taken some kind of calc. I’ve heard Calc II is really hard at UVA for whatever reason.</p>