<p>Hi everyone. I just graduated with a BS in cognitive science from UCSC (lots of lab/research exp). I initially was a transfer student. </p>
<p>I realize now how badly I always wanted to become an chem or Bio engineer and extremely dislike the career path of my major. So here's my question:</p>
<p>How can I find my way back into an engineering school? I know a second BS for a UC is frowned upon and I have yet to talk to a counselor about it but it's something I REALLLY want to do in my life. I still need a fair amount of phys/chem/advance math classes (surely I can A'ce them at a CC.) However, when it comes time, what program is right for me? What schools will accept me for another BS? Should I go straight to a MS? I can get job experience through a friend. I really just need insight about how to get my BS in engineering. Will I have to retake ALL my courses. I know I have to disclose my educational experience but what channels can I take to achieve my goal and dream?</p>
<p>I really appreciate anyone offering advice as I feel I'm on the crux of my future. I'm 22 btw.</p>
<p>I would think that at least a few of the major prep/major classes (Chem, Calc, etc.) for CogSci at UCSC would count towards a major in Chem/Bio engineering. It’s not like you would have to waste more time completing your Gen Ed again either. Also, I may be misinformed, but why is it so bad to have two BS degrees from a UC? If anything, I would think that would make you more marketable to future employers for having completed to areas of study. Do school’s frown upon this as being too indecisive?</p>
<p>If you truly do not believe you would be happy in an area of CogSci study, then do something else! If you’re going to be doing something for the rest of your life, you may as well enjoy doing it. If your heart is telling you to pursue Bio/Chem engineering, then find a way to do it. There are always options, although finding them may not always be so easy. :)</p>
<p>I knew someone who did this at a UC so it is possible. For the UCs that allow it I suggest that you schedule an appt with someone (undergrad dean or advisor) in the Engineering dept at each school and visit in person. What you want to do isn’t going to be covered in a lot of detail on the web the way standard frosh or xfer applications are, and you need to get all the details right. Bring your transcript and the Catalog from UCSC so they can tell you what classes you need to take in order to apply. You’ll need to be able to enter at the junior level, so all the classes you need to get to that level you’ll need to finish by the time you’d start at the UC. They usually accept only 1 or 2 students for these types of programs each year at each campus, so the 1st thing they do to cut down the list of applicants is ruthlessly prune out anyone who hadn’t met every requirement. Hopefully your GPA and SAT scores are high.</p>
<p>Or you could just decide to go on for the MS, which might be a better path. Turns out you can apply to the CSU system for the MS program and be accepted in a classification in which you are allowed to take any missing prep classes before you are formally accepted to the MS program. This essentially amounts to taking the classes for the 2nd BS degree, then it takes the extra year for a MS. Again, I’d suggest making appts with advisors or undergrad deans to go over this. </p>
<p>
I wouldn’t be so sure about them being easy at a CC, but I guess you’ll see if you go that route. Other options, even if you’re thinking about the 2nd degree at the UC, are to start with the MS program at a CSU campus as outlined above until you’ve taken enough classes to be junior level. And most UC campuses, on paper at least, let you take any class on campus for full credit thru their Extension program; this is subject to approval of the school and instructor, so before counting on this to get to junior level you’d need to find out if it is real or just something that exists on paper.</p>
<p>Sorry for going off topic, but what makes you dislike the cognitive science career path? (I applied as a cogsci major to UCLA, so if that is a terrible major for the future I probably wont go there lol)</p>
<p>Why get another BS? It’s not going to do you any good. Just get a masters. </p>
<p>Find out what classes you need to take and take the pre reqs you don’t have at a CC if you need to, apply for masters programs. If they accept you, they will let you know what classes you need to take to catch up. </p>
<p>Ask in the engineering forum, I bet they will tell you the same thing.
[Engineering</a> Majors - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/]Engineering”>Engineering Majors - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>To answer your question laclippers, cog sci it’s not a terrible major, heck, it’s an incredible major/degree if you have a passion for the field. I find myself more in love with math, physics, and chemistry than I do with computers or cognitive psych (I have a passion for learning cog sci (as I do with other areas of science/knowledge), but I have a passion for doing and applying engineering (so to speak)</p>
<p>And for Lookin4ward: will do.</p>