Help? Any input would be nice!

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I was doing my app the other day and I came across the first prompt asking about my intended major and the experience I have in the field. Originally, I declared as my main major poli sci and my alternate major econ. However, after I thought about it, I was steered into changing it and making econ my main major and poli sci my alternate major.</p>

<p>This is my first year at a CC and I plan to complete 60 units by the end of spring. I will have finished the pre-reqs for both econ and for poli sci, along with IGETC. However, my first semester fall schedule only shows that I am taking econ and I think it basically implies to the admissions people that I have no prior knowledge of poli sci whatsoever. I don't want them to think that I'm going into a major that I have no knowledge of. But if they do think that way, I think they are correct.</p>

<p>I have no prior knowledge of political science or anything political related. The only thing I've ever got close to was government in high school and quite frankly, I did not like it so much. The reason why I want to declare my major as poli sci (originally) was that I wanted to major in poli sci as an undergrad and major in business as a grad student OR in my deepest secret, I actually want to go to Law school so that could also be a start and an option for me. I want to do this because I think business as an undergrad is really useless. They basically teach you accounting stuff, nothing about business management or anything. </p>

<p>But like I mentioned, I don't have any political science stuff on my transcript until WINTER and by then, applications were long submitted. </p>

<p>Another thing is, I have an internship at an investment firm and they are actually sponsoring me to take the series 6 exam. For any of you who don't know what it is, the series 6 exam is basically an exam taken by prospective representatives to sell mutual funds and variable annunities. If everything goes according to my plan, I should have my series 6 license by the time applications are due. I think this internship and license will benefit me towards majoring in economics more so than it would in political science. </p>

<p>So with ALL that long and tedious info being said, what do you guys think? Should I stick with poli sci or should I change to econ? Because if I'm lucky and I get accepted to either one of the majors, I dont think I will be given the opportunity to switch. Which major do you think will give me a higher chance of acceptance, if let's say I get the same grades in my econ pre-reqs and also in my poli sci pre reqs.</p>

2

<p>"I think business as an undergrad is really useless" -- funny to hear this from someone who plans to major in political science</p>

3

<p>Well actually, most CEO's of fortune 500 companies either hold a degree in political science or history. This being said, I think political science is one of many key driving factor for success in the world of business. And if I'm going to learn about accounting, I much rather learn about the government and what drives society. Also, where as a business undergrad focuses on a set area of study, political science is very versatile and is applicable in many different fields. </p>

<p>This, however, is just based on my opinion.</p>

4

<p>I don't know what your GPA is, but given the internship and the fact that you've got tag going for you, I'd say you've got a very good shot for econ. That being said, if I were you I'd put poly sci as my primary major. I'd explain in your personal statement that after taking some econ classes you've realized that you really want to major in poli sci and will be taking more poli sci classes in the spring. You've already completed the pre-reqs which is huge. Declare econ as your secondary major. That way, it they feel you haven't taken enough poli sci classes and they reject you for poli sci you've still got a very good chance with econ.</p>

<p>Alternatively you could put econ first and then switch majors once you're at UCLA but that might be hard given poli sci's popularity.</p>

5

<p>Quick question, I thought I wasn't allowed to switch into impacted majors like poli sci? Or is it different because I've completed lower-division coursework?</p>

6

<p>Impacted just means if they have limited or unlimited spaces for you. In an non-impacted major once you complete the pre-reqs you can just apply to be in the major. Its simple and easy. However, once a major is impacted there are only a handful of spaces. Therefore, even if you completed the pre-reqs that does not mean you will be in the major. Theres a good chance you may not get into the major even if you complete the pre-reqs and other requirements.</p>