How hard is it to get into these schools for these majors???
UCLA: Computer and systems bio
UC berkeley: BA or BS in Computer science
UCSD: Computational biology chemistry
The difficulty of getting into any of these majors will depend upon several factors:
Applying as a Freshman or Transfer/
UC GPA/Test scores/EC’s and your essays. So what are your qualifications?
UCLA: Computer and systems biology
You will be admitted as a Pre-major and must meet the following criteria to continue with your degree:
To gain admission to the major, students must achieve a minimum 2.7 GPA in all Premajor math courses, a minimum 2.7 GPA in all Premajor courses and, and a minimum grade of C in all Premajor courses.
UCB: CS is extremely competitive for EECS in Engineering, less so for CS in the College of Letter and Sciences but still you are looking at a tough admit either way.
UCSD: Computational Biology Chemistry
These majors are not capped, but UCSD admits into the University first then into the major so it is possible to be accepted into the University but not into your major.
@Gumbymom If you apply undeclared at Berkeley, is it still possible to take the courses needed to become a computer science major during first year, or is it absolutely necessary that Computer Science is listed as the major on the application to take those classes?
@IssacF21: I am not positive how UCB does their class registration but based on my previous knowledge regarding other campuses, usually the CS declared majors get priority then if open seats are available, then you can take the CS courses. If CS is your top choice, I would declare the major. EECS is a direct admit but CS in the College of Letter and Sciences requires you to take pre-req courses with a minimum GPA to declare the major. L&S does not take major into consideration for admission purposes.
If you want specifics I would PM @Ohm888 whom is far more knowledgeable at UCB.
^^^^ sounds right
Re #2
First and second year L&S undeclared students do have some priority for registration for lower division CS courses at UCB.
https://eecs.berkeley.edu/resources/undergrads/cs/degree-reqs/enrollment-policy
Note that L&S students must earn a 3.3 GPA in CS 61A, 61B, and 70 to declare the L&S CS major.
https://eecs.berkeley.edu/resources/undergrads/cs/degree-reqs-lowerdiv