I applied RD to RPI and chose Computer & Systems Engineering as my major, but I feel like I should have chosen Computer Science because I want to be a software developer in the future.
Will it be possible to switch majors or do a dual major?
Switch majors or double major if the combination fits with your future career plans & goals.
RPI allows you to switch or dual with any major. The only restriction is getting into the CS department. Once you’ve started classes, you need a B in data structures (an introductory CS course) if you wish to add a dual or switch into CS. I know it sounds pretty sucky, but if you can’t get a B in that class you’ll probably fail out of the Computer Science major. I’d recommend you take some classes at RPI and see if you still like it, but if you’ve been admitted you can ask them to switch it before school starts - they’ll do it without any restriction then.
@AmitKania Congrats on your acceptance!
Your first year as a [Computer and Systems Engineering](Program: Computer and Systems Engineering - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Acalog ACMS™) student will be nearly identical to the first year as a [Computer Science](Program: Computer Science - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Acalog ACMS™) major.
For that reason I want to advise you that you think very clearly whether you want to transfer to CS or dual in CS. If you dual then you need to avoid taking ECSE 1010 and ENGR 1200. My son took is as an incoming Computer and Systems Engineering student before deciding to dual. It turns out as a dual you don’t need it and although he aced those classes, he could have saved time and did required courses instead.
You cannot get the degree without first filling out a [simple form](http://www.rpi.edu/dept/srfs/undergrchngstatus.pdf) and getting approval from your advisor. The process is simple but the qualification is where the challenge will be. There are two ways to qualify to change your major or add a dual CS major. The first is like @joedoe said above. You need to get a B grade or better in Data Structures class CSCI 1200. The second way is to get at minimum a 3.0 average among the computer science classes that you’ve taken upto and including CSCI Foundations of Computer Science. That second way may be a slightly simpler way since Data Structures is notoriously difficult at any college. What you do is concentrate most of your effort in your first year Python class, do your best in Data Structures, and then only take Foundations in your third semester (don’t take any other CS courses or they may get averaged in, not sure since the write up is a little vague there). When you average those three classes you should be good to change major or dual with it.
My son came in as CompSys Engineering and decided like you to dual in CS. He aced Python just in case but he seems to be ok in Data Structures so hopefully he will be able to add the dual without having to rely on Foundations before doing it. If he needs Foundation to average his three courses he will need about a C+ or better so it should be ok.
RPI has a great Computer Science curriculum with a lot of options for different concentrations. Good luck.
[url=https://science.rpi.edu/computer-science/programs/undergrad/bs-computerscience]Source[/url]
Where were the above two posters when I was getting mugged on another thread regarding double majoring ? In my opinion, OP hit the jackpot with the advice given by the above two posters.
Yup thanks for the replies. I am going to dual major (if I get in and it is affordable)