Not applying as a psychology major?

<p>I need some advice. I'm trying to decide which major I should apply as to UCLA. I will have all the pre reqs completed for UCLA psych after fall. I currently have a 3.64 GPA because of one C in a film class. If I get all A's in fall I could have a 3.8. I'm in EOPS honors club, Umoja(club), I participated in UCLA's STP program. I have a pretty good personal statement story (living alone since 16, weeks of homeless-ness). </p>

<p>I can't decide if I should apply as a psychology major or as an anthropology major. I am interested in both. Slightly more interested in psych obviously though. I could have all the Anthro pre reqs completed by spring. Which one would I more be likely to get in as? Also if it means anything I'm pre med and have taken bio, chem, physics and gotten all A's. I've gotten 1 B in English and one C in film so I'm not sure if they'll take that into account. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading and I appreciate any advice. Sorry for my grammar I'm using my phone.</p>

<p>Psych for sure. Why would you change your major just to get in? I think you’ll be able to get in with that gpa as long as you get all As this semester. You also have a good personal story. Are you TAP certified? You could list anthro as your back up if you are. But stick to psych, that’s what you’ve been working for and it sounds like your ultimate goal.</p>

<p>No I’m not TAP certified which is why I was worried. I am interested in Anthro and could minor in cognitive science which is why it didn’t seem that bad of an option. I mostly just want to get in. I was worried not having all the ore reqs for anthro done by fall would make me less competitive.</p>

<p>We have the same goals, your GPA is FAR better than mine, as are your ECs and personal statement. The only diff is I’m TAP certified, but I think with a GPA like yours it won’t matter for you if you’re not, your GPA is high enough to get in if you get a 3.8. But try to TAP if you can (iiiiiffffff you can, I know it can be tricky, mine requires I finish 6 honors classes), that gives you pretty much a 90% chance to get in.</p>

<p>bump… Any more advice? Can I we switch our majors on the application update in Feb, or do we have to sick with our original choice we put in Nov?</p>

<p>Psychology is an a weird major to transfer into depending on which UC you’re gearing to go to… For example:</p>

<p>At UCLA, you have to be directly admitted to the psych major to be a psych major. </p>

<p>At UCB, you can apply as any major in L&S and switch into psych. It requires a few e-mails here and there, but you can do it. </p>

<p>With a 3.8, you’ll get into Psych at UCLA. I’m thinking that I probably should have just gone there…it’s becoming very renowned and exclusive for psych. Anyway, I was admitted in April with a 3.76 as a psych major.</p>

<p>Your personal statements can be excellent with the life experience that you have. I had similar stories i.e. dropped out of 2 high schools, truant, etc. </p>

<p>If you get a 4.0 this semester, you’ll be in. However, if you stay at a 3.62, your chances aren’t so great. Psych is so hard to get into. I remember seeing 1 3.6x GPA getting in this year for psych and only a few 3.7’s (including myself).</p>

<p>Thanks Emil. Yeah I would like to go to LA or Cal and ultimatley go to med school. I’m just so worried about applying for UCLA psych and not getting admitted when I could just shoe in Anthro. Since I want to go to med school the major is kind of irrlevant. It’s going to be a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” kind of situation though anyways so I guess I should just go with my gut.</p>

<p>If you really want to go to LA/Cal in order to improve your chances for med school, go ahead and change majors. It’s really up to you what you want to do. If you feel confident about pulling As this fall, you have a good shot at getting into either school as a psych major. If you don’t care at all about your major and are primarily interested in med school, then change to anth.</p>

<p>You’re welcome, Ella! The difference in say UCI or UCD and UCB/LA is slim in the eyes of med schools. All that actually matters is your GPA and MCAT score/research. Honestly, just focus on doing well in those areas.</p>

<p>I would seriously recommend applying as a psych major to UCLA. If that’s what you’re interested in, then that’s what you should apply into. Plus, you have a pretty solid shot, esp if you can up that GPA a tad. </p>

<p>I know you’re in a borderline situation, and this decision is crucial…but I would highly recommend (as I was in the same situation as u with psych and phil), just apply to what you truly want to do and see what happens. Write those passionate statements about your love for psych + relevant life experiences and work/volunteer hours, and how they all tie together…and you’ll get in :).</p>