<p>I've heard that it is difficult to switch schools within CMU and that even though the university has so many different specialites that it is hard to take classes outside your area. Is this true? So, for example, If you enter as a freshman in HSS and decide you'd like to pursue business after a year or so, can you switch? Also, can you easily take classes in any of the other schools?</p>
<p>In my experience, it can be easy. I myself transferred from MCS to SCS. I have a couple of friends that went from H&SS to SCS, SCS to H&SS. Of course you have to take some classes in the school you are interested in and you have to do well in those classes. On the flip side, most people do say it is difficult to switch schools. This tells you it is probably very dependent on you as a student. If you have the motivation to switch schools, you can definitely do it.</p>
<p>I took plenty of courses outside my area ( at least enough for three unrelated minors) , and I know of a kid that doubled BS’ed in SCS and physics ( which takes a pretty solid effort no matter how smart you are ). Double majors aren’t all that uncommon. </p>
<p>tl;dr: Easy/Hard is up to you. You get what you put into it.</p>
<p>So, are you saying that, for example, you can be a history major in HS&S and decide to take a marketing class in Tepper?</p>
<p>Depends on what school you want to switch from and what school you want to switch into. Typically, I’d say SCS and Tepper are hardest to transfer into because they’re competitive and small in size. CIT is a lot larger but still tough. Fine Arts is almost impossible because they’re conservatory in nature. But you should be able to take almost all the intro classes for outside your majors, easier when your major and the class you want to take are related.</p>
<p>If you want to switch schools, sooner is MUCH better than later. Switching into SCS, for instance, requires you to have done 15-211. If you don’t have any programming experience in high school it could easily take you quite a while to get to 211, and by then you could be significantly behind the game.</p>
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<p>Yes, but it’s going to be hard. Taking a CFA or Tepper course is always difficult because space is reserved and you’re going to be a lowerclassman for a while, which gives you less priority in registering. If you do a couple things, though, you’ll have a good chance of getting in:</p>
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<li><p>Locate the professor who will be teaching the course. Look him or her up in the Andrew database ([Directory</a> - Carnegie Mellon University](<a href=“http://directory.andrew.cmu.edu/]Directory”>http://directory.andrew.cmu.edu/)) and send him or her an email asking about non-major attendance in the course. Explain how much you enjoy the course and how you’d be excited to be allowed in. I got into three of my classes for this upcoming semester (including one six-person class in CFA) by doing that alone. I will be taking a grad level course in the spring semester which is usually off limits to undergrads by this method. It does work, and this is probably the best way to go about it. Be pleasant, be nice, be affable, demonstrate interest, and professors will want to have you in their class. </p></li>
<li><p>Head to the counseling office for the department you want to take a class in. Explain that you are a nonmajor who would like to take some classes. Counselors are able to automatically put you into a course unless it is full, and if you are nice to them and remain in contact, they will likely be able to slide you in.</p></li>
<li><p>If one and two fail, put yourself on the waitlist. Go to class for the first few days. Talk to the professor. Sometimes professors auto-admit from the waitlist if you show up for class.</p></li>
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<p>According to my son (in H&SS), it would be easy to switch to Tepper, certainly to take classes from them. You just talk to your advisor and it’s not nearly as hard as people claim it is. He says that SCS is harder, but all you need to do is get a B in 15-211…and if you can’t get good enough grades to move into SCS, then you probably shouldn’t be there anyways.</p>
<p>@completelykate</p>
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<li><p>What if the instructor for the course is “INSTRUCTOR TBA”? Is there a certain way we locate and contact them? </p></li>
<li><p>What if the course you really want that you’re on the waitlist for is scheduled at a time that one of your current classes (that you don’t really want) is? :(</p></li>
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<li><p>The instructor should be filled in before school starts even if it’s blank now - it might only be a week or so before, but it hopefully will get filled in and then you can stalk them down. :)</p></li>
<li><p>That’s a tricky situation. my advice is to attend your registered class, then sprint like a Kenyan to your waitlisted course after class and explain your situation (“i’m registered for this course but I really want to be in yours!” etc). Alternatively you could find the professor at his or her office hours and talk there. Usually professors skulk off to their offices immediately following a class.</p></li>
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<p>Thank you so much, kate! I just sent you a PM literally 3 seconds ago before seeing this thread, haha. Thank you for these answers. :D</p>