<p>I was recently admitted to UCLA as an undeclared physical science major. At the time I was filling out my applications I was undecided in my major choice and therefore put this on my app. However, now I am starting to get interested in computer science and programming in general everyday. Yet the computer science degree is in another college (the college of engineering, I got into the college of letters and sciences) than I was accepted to and switching colleges is impossible. Now I have also heard one can find some opportunities in the programming field with a degree in applied mathematics. I am thinking about either doing applied math or basically going to community college and reapplying, what should i do?</p>
<p>How do you know that transferring within UCLA is impossible? That would be very unusual.</p>
<p>Consider that you were an undeclared major and only now are getting interested in computer science. You might find that you don’t like computer science at all. I’d think that most of your science majors ought to require a few intro level CS courses. Why not sample those courses before you freak out. </p>
<p>Also, you don’t necessarily need a BS in CS to work in computing. A math degree with CS courses could work. Or, you could get a science degree and add a minor in CS - - e.g., a major in Bio/Chem with a minor in CS might be an attractive combination for programming in a medical environment.</p>
<p>Nothing is impossible. If you have the required GPA to transfer to the new department you should have a very good chance switching in your first semester. Just work fast on it, the longer you wait the slimmer your chances.</p>
<p>@mahrap, according to this page, it is possible to transfer into CS (in SEAS) after being admitted as a freshman outside of SEAS:</p>
<p>[Change</a> of Major — UCLA Engineering Office of Academic and Student Affairs](<a href=“http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/undergraduates/change-of-majord]Change”>http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/undergraduates/change-of-majord)</p>
<p>Also, as others have noted, it is not necessary to major in CS to get programming jobs. However, particularly for software engineering jobs at top companies, such as Apple, you should be prepared to make a strong pitch to the company, above and beyond your GPA. I recommend getting involved in open-source projects, even for students with high GPAs.</p>
<p>While it’s possible to get a job in software without a closely-related degree, the less closely-related the degree, the less competitive you will be. I suggest trying to transfer; if that doesn’t work out, for whatever reason, getting an applied math degree could set you up for a programming job, or if you take a good selection of courses, a job as an actuary or even an engineer (harder to get into than software, only because there is less demand for engineers than for software professionals).</p>
<p>Applied math is also an excellent springboard into most quantitative STEM graduate programs, including those in computer science and engineering. You might be required to take some remedial courses, but when you graduate, you’ll be very competitive in highly employable fields. If you do well in applied math at UCLA, the sky’s the limit as far as grad school is concerned.</p>