<p>My DD was admitted to Dornsife in Bioscience major and received Presidential scholarship. However, Explore USC really opened up her view on Bioengineering side of Vitebi and she is now really interested in switching to Bio-Engineering major. We have absolutely no doubt about her talent and ability to ace any engineering courses if she takes them. The questions we have are:</p>
<p>1) Is it possible to switch from BioScience major to BioEngineering major from the very beginning? If it's possible, can the process of official switching be completed by the time she starts in the fall?
2) If the switching is done, can she keep her Presidential scholarship?
3) If it's too late to switch now for the 1st year, would switching at the beginning of sophomore result in later graduation? The essential question is: are there some overlaps of courses between Bio-Science and Bio-Engineering?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure she can keep her presidential scholarship if she switches schools and majors in USC. I’d have her contact Viterbi ASAP and see what their process is for switching from Bioscience into Biomedical Engineering (BME) and whether she can do it now or has to wait and whether she can start by taking classes in Viterbi. Engineering has a very structured curriculum, so I think it’s best to start in it as soon as she can if she wants to avoid extra terms at USC.</p>
<p>Our S had a friend who transferred from Viterbi to psychology at USC and was able to keep his Presidential scholarship. Your D MIGHT be able to qualify for some additional funds from Viterbi–many of the students in that school did get merit awards, which could be in additional to presidential.</p>
<p>Be aware that there are quite a few pre-meds taking BME, so it is a pretty competitive major.</p>
<p>USC undergraduate students who have not been admitted to the Viterbi School of Engineering may apply to add an engineering major with the approval of the Associate Dean for Admission for the Viterbi School. Students seeking approval to add an engineering major must complete required prerequisite courses and submit a Request to Change Major to Engineering form to the Admission and Student Affairs Office in Ronald Tutor Hall 110. Approval is granted on the basis of academic performance at USC and in the required prerequisite courses in the Viterbi School within a specific number of semesters.</p>
<p>Non-engineering students may complete a maximum of four engineering courses. No further engineering courses may be taken unless admission has been approved."</p>
<p>HIMom, Thanks greatly for your prompt response. I understand time is essential here. We really hope she can start as BioEngineering major, instead of delaying the graduation. </p>
<p>camom: the process you posted is probably applicable for current student to switch major, instead of upcoming freshman. We believe it should be easier for new student to switch than existing ones. </p>
<p>Just wondering are there anyone in the forum to share his/her past experience in switching before registering as freshman? Greatly appreciated it!</p>
<p>Himom and camom have provided great info. I have no info specific to Viterbi, but here on cc many students have posted that they have been able to change majors within the same school at orientation over the summer, so your daughter should pursue the question at orientation with her advisers. (I even know of at least one student who was able to change schools at orientation, so it is always worth it to ask.)</p>
<p>nvaparent, the great thing about being admitted to USC or any university (and with merit!!) is now the shoe is on the other foot. They clearly regard your daughter highly and want her. Your daughter should not hesitate to call Viterbi admissions office and explain her strong attraction to their BME major. I will suppose that your D has excellent qualifications based on her Presidential award and it may be possible (I believe we heard this in the past) to switch to Viterbi at Freshman orientation this summer when all students egister for classes</p>
<p>When our S attended the USC Orientation program, they were taking placement exams and registering for courses at the orientation (in fact that was one of the main reasons for attending). D should call Viterbi ASAP so she can find out if switch to Viterbi BME now, BEFORE attending USC Orientation. They should be able to let you know the process.</p>
<p>My D was a transfer student to USC. She switched from Sociology to undecided and later applied and was accepted to Cinema. It did require an additional application and submission of a lot of materials. When S applied and was admitted to Viterbi in 2006, he didn’t complete any different app or supplement, but not sure if that has changed since.</p>
<p>@madbean & HImom, Thank you all so much for the excellent insight! My D has excellent qualifications (top GPA’s from a top high school of the nation, full scores on ACT, very high scores on SAT, 800’s on SAT’s Biology, Chemistry, and Math II, national honor on last year’s International Chemistry Competition). As her understanding of science and technology gets evolved and focused, to be able to switch to the engineering major BEFORE taking the offer becomes increasingly critical in her decision making process. I’ll share your excellent points and discuss further with her about this.</p>
<p>Yes, my D’s graduation from USC Cinema was delayed in part because she was admitted to that school as a JR. Much better for your D to understand what her options are so she can make an informed choice and understand the pros & cons in switching to Viterbi. Our S was very happy in engineering and she should look into the WISE program, especially for women in engineering. Have read that this year, USC has 38% women in its engineering school, which is a very high %age compared to other engineering school.</p>
<p>In 2010 (the year S graduated), ALL the top honors for Viterbi engineering were won by women. S had women in his study group and also as research partners.</p>
<p>nvaparent, Viterbi is quite welcoming to women engineering students. I also understand that your D may have several excellent schools to choose from and would want the assurance of an official OK to switch to Viterbi. Normally, the student gets to take her merit award no matter how many times they change majors. I expect no different answer for your D, so it’s a matter, I think, of talking to Viterbi admissions (as opposed to Dornsife admissions which is the regular USC Admissions office) and checking all will be fine. I would further suggest she ask to speak to the admissions director at Viterbi because the phones in many USC admissions offices tend to be worked by USC work-study students and your particular issue is a little more of a special case question. Best of luck.</p>
S had women in his study group and also as research partners.</p>