Incoming Freshman- Major Change

<p>Hello! I will be attending Cal Poly SLO in the fall as a freshman majoring in Landscape Architecture. I’m incredibly excited and can’t wait to be a Mustang. However, I’ve found I’m no longer attracted to the major, and believe that I would be happier in Business Administration. I’ve been navigating the website, but I am still not exactly sure how changing majors works. </p>

<p>From what I understand, I have to remain in the architecture college for a quarter before even attempting to transfer. Does this mean that I will technically be taking LA classes for two quarters, since I have to begin the process during second quarter, or would it be possible to switch in time for Winter Quarter?</p>

<p>What is the GPA requirement, and what classes would I have to take in order to switch? Is it possible to take these classes first quarter, or does freshman schedule blocking make this impossible?</p>

<p>Once started, how long does a major change take?</p>

<p>I greatly appreciate any answers that you guys have, haha. I have a high enough GPA/SAT score that I don’t think original eligibility will be a problem, but I’m rather worried about the mechanics of the change itself. (And all the Cal Poly horror stories about it!)</p>

<p>Basically, you go to your adviser and he/she sets up a major transfer agreement with you where the adviser specifies a few classes which you must take in order to switch majors. To switch majors, you must have a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.5 GPA across the specified classes, after you successfully complete these classes, you’re in.</p>

<p>There’s nothing stopping you from guessing what classes you’re going to have to take and taking them in the Fall (I lucked out on one of my classes trying to switch majors). But the biggest hurdle for you will probably be that you’re going into landscape architecture, which is a pretty rigorous field. The GPA requirements for getting into business admin are quite high because business classes are frankly much easier than other majors (transferring into engineering in comparison only requires a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.0 if you’re already in CENG). As a landscape architecture major it might be hard for you to maintain a high enough GPA. Also, landscape architects have very strict schedules because their four year plans have numerous prereqs, so you may not have the freedom to preemptively take business classes before initiating the agreement.</p>

<p>Source: trying to switch into econ right now. I think i have the slides detailing the specific classes for transferring into business admin somewhere.</p>

<p>*Found them, Math 221 or 141, Econ 221 or 222, Stat 251 or 252 or 301. BUS 214 and 1 class in Area A (It’s a GE field). I’ve taken all of these classes, and honestly, a 3.5 doesn’t seem too hard. The only class you might have trouble in is 141 (Calc I).</p>

<p>Follow this link and it may be quite helpful:</p>

<p>[Changing</a> Majors Advising Center](<a href=“http://www.cob.calpoly.edu/advising/changing-majors/]Changing”>http://www.cob.calpoly.edu/advising/changing-majors/)</p>

<p>Awesome, thank you so much for all the information---- really helped a lot! I’m hoping to simply take an extra class and not leave the library, ever, for the first quarter, and power through until I can change majors, but I think it will be worth it, haha. Good luck switching into Econ!</p>

<p>Another question---- (This is for major changes in general) If I need to take one of the “intro” classes in a new major in order to switch, and it is only offered first quarter(for incoming freshmen already in the major), would I need to wait until the next year to begin the switch, or would a class that is not going to be offered for a few quarters be dropped from the Change of Major Agreement?</p>

<p>I have a similar concern, if anyone is willing to oblige… I too am entering as a freshman, but I’ve taken several college courses throughout high school. I plan on transferring my credits, but fear that this may bump me up to a Junior; would this mean I would no longer be able to switch majors? I’m entering as an arch engineering major, but am starting to have second thoughts and think I may be better off as a mechanical engineering major</p>

<p>My kid is an ME major and transferred into it from General Engineering after his first quarter. No problem at all. He met with a counselor once and it was completed electronically. Call an academic counselor in the department that you want to move into and they will give you the straight scoop.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that the easiest major changes are between majors within the same college. For example between, ME and EE. However, major changes between colleges such as between Business and Architecture will be more challenging and require more effort and counseling.</p>

<p>Thanks OsakaDad! So being a Junior would not prevent me from being able to change my major?</p>

<p>^^That is a question for an academic counselor in your target major. Being a Junior may complicate things as far as time to graduation. Otherwise, you should be able to do it unless course flow charts and earned credits disagree. This is clearly a call for a counselor.</p>

<p>@CalPolySkeptic, Im pretty sure one of the requirments for changing major is that you can graduate on time, so unless a lot of yourclasses can transfer I wouldnt count on it, but still again make sure with advisor.</p>