I’m an incoming freshman at the Cockrell School and I am currently majoring in biomedical engineering. However, for the past few weeks, I’ve been vacillating between biomedE and other engineering majors, specifically ECE and maybe chemE. Now on my portal, I am able to request a change of major. If I were to attempt a transfer, for example to ECE, would there be any chance of me having that transfer granted to me? In addition, what exactly are the criteria for transferring before attending? Any tips, advice, or prior experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Bump!
Call the Cockrell School of Engineering and ask someone there.
The first 2 semesters are roughly the same for all engineering majors. Sure there is a class or two specific to your major, but the majority of classes go for all majors. Changing a major from one engineering to another engineering major during the first year should be straight forward. I’d wait, get to school and talk to a counselor, and then start the semester. Take the first semester to learn about all the majors (I think they have a class outlining all the majors anyway) and then decide.
@texansfan1 Thanks so much, I’m just worried that I’ll be too far into my biomedE and then not be able to transfer out later. By chance do you know this class that your’e mentioning, the one that outlines all the engineering majors? I think it’s perfect for what I’m trying to do.
Biomedical E is extremely difficult to get into at UT (very small group and they are very selective). In addition to common classes the first year like Math and Physics with other engineering majors I think there are more classes that are common between ECE and Biomed. My son had Biomed E majors in many of his ECE classes. So talk to a counselor before requesting a change of major because ECE is a larger program at UT and they probably will have space for a switch after a semester or two.
ChemE is also a very competitive major at UT (a smaller program so space is an issue). If you really want it more than Biomed then getting in as early as possible may be the better option (via a major change request - so you don’t have to compete with the super-high GPA requirements later on to transfer in). But again check with a counselor.
My daughter is entering ME at Cockrell. At one of the WEP meetings, my daughter asked about this topic. The WEP meeting was ME focused FWIW. The answer was different than the one given during pre-admission campus tours. During tours, UT indicates that transfer is near impossible and don’t make it your plan. In particular, some students pick EE 1st since it easier to gain admission due to class size with the intent of transferring to another discipline. That being said, the answer at the meeting is that it is possible with ‘something over a 3.5 gpa’. They said this year (probably due to O&G downturn) BME, then ME was most competitiive. Trasnferring out of the more competitive disciplines into a less competitive one is a better possibility for you than a current EE major trying to go the other way.
Wow I had no idea that biomedE had that small of a program. On a side note, does that mean more personalized attention and better opportunities compared to the other engineering majors?
@OrangeSpider That sounds like a good situation for me then. Thanks for the info!
Don’t know about biomedE opportunities, but even though ECE is the largest program at UT my son has had great opportunities. Multiple internship offers every year (including freshman). Most of his friends have job offers from their junior year internship companies even before they graduate. So choose the engineering you have the most interest in and keep good grades to get the best opportunities.
Because UT admits directly to major they select carefully (best fit for major). So you are in a group of smart and high achieving kids to start with and maintaining a high GPA will be competitive. But it can be done and is needed to be able to switch engineering majors later.