<p>I posted this in a different section yesterday, didn't get replies, and found this section of the forum which seems to be the better place for it.
I applied to UCSB for a Computer Science major, but when I was accepted they accepted me as an undeclared major in the College of Letters and Science and said that Computer Science was out of space. My question is how hard would it be to go to UCSB for 2 years doing my general ed and then switch to a computer science major in the College of Engineering (or, if possible, right at the beginning/before of my first year)? I also applied for computer science at UC Irvine, but they haven't given their decision yet. I'd much rather go to UCSB, but would you recommend that I go to UCI if I get accepted for computer science there or would it be safe enough to go to UCSB and plan on switching majors to computer science? I'd like to point out it is a change from the College of Letters and Science Undeclared to the College of Engineering Computer Science.</p>
<p>Well, I ended up not getting accepted to UCI, so I will be going to UCSB. I would really like to know how easy it is to change colleges with UCSB. Also, I heard that being an undeclared major allows you to take classes that are required for any major. Would that still be possible if I’m undeclared in the College of Letters and Science and I want to take computer science classes, even if the computer science major I want is in the College of Engineering? I know I have many questions, but it would really amazing if someone could answer them.</p>
<p>I’ve read some other posts and have heard that it is really hard to switch majors. If you really want to major in computer science then go to UCI if you are accepted because its not guaranteed that you will be able to get that major at UCSB. Also, I think UCI decisions are out already. I got accepted a few days ago. Try checking before 9am.</p>
<p>A lot of my friends were able to switch to college of Engineering over summer by just emailing the department. If you try to do it another time, it’s much harder. If you’re interested in switching colleges or majors, I would just shoot an email sometime this summer to the department expressing interest and asking how to do that.
@GravityChild: Being undeclared sucks if you have a certain major in mind, especially any kind of math or science major. You don’t have priority to get into those classes and they fill up extremely fast. Also, UCSB is ranked higher than UCI.
UCSB’s College of Engineering is very well respected and worth more than an engineering major from UCI.</p>
<p>Ok, I sent an email to switch majors the second I got my admittance saying I’m undeclared, but they said an answer wouldn’t come until after May 1st, which is when the SIR is due. My thinking was that they admit enough people to fill up the College of Engineering, but not everyone chooses UCSB as their college, so there would be openings for me to switch to. If this email doesn’t work out, I will email them again this summer or ask to be put on some kind of wait list so that I can be put in any openings in case someone switches out of the computer science major.</p>
<p>Who did you email, admissions?</p>
<p>Yeah, admissions @sa.ucsb.edu</p>
<p>Thanks, I’m in almost the exact same situation as you, haha</p>
This is almost 4 years later. But I’m in the exact same situation and really want to go to ucsb, but I got into college of letters and science and Want to switch to college of engineering. Did they end up accepting your guys major change request?
I’m also in this same position, got accepted at uci for engineering but econ for ucsb because they said engineering was full and really competitive. My question is: is ucsb engineering still ranked higher than uci, and is it possible and realistic to switch majors at ucsb?
the so-called “rankings” are completely meaningless to your future. Do well in your classes, get internships, you will be fine from any UC. Thinking something magical happens to your future if you went to SB instead of Irvine is wrong. IMHO it would be nuts to turn down the sure thing at Irvine for a longshot at UCSB.
On another note, econ at UCSB is EXTREMELY impacted, to the point where advisor and professors are really unsympathetic to those that are unable to get into the major (there’s a couple of weeder classes). So take that into consideration, especially if you wouldn’t be happy staying with economics.
I went to Spring Insight and talked to the people there. They said it’s extremely difficult changing majors in different colleges.