<p>Hey guys, I've been admitted to Dornsife for this Fall 2012. I'm an Intl. Student In my application I'd applied to Viterbi. I want to study Computer Science (Games). Is there any way I can switch schools? Thanks, I'd appreciate some guidance! I've already emailed USC; am currently waiting for a response.</p>
<p>[USC</a> - Viterbi School of Engineering - Change Major to Engineering](<a href=“http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/advisement/registration/changeofmajor.htm]USC”>http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/advisement/registration/changeofmajor.htm)</p>
<p>Thanks. So I’m guessing I have to complete a semester before any transfer is possible?</p>
<p>Not sure. I have the same question. I want to double major in mechanical engineering and mathematics, but I only applied to CAS for mathematics. Who did you email? Let me know what they say in response about transferring before fall.</p>
<p>[Contact</a> Us - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/contact/contactus.html]Contact”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/contact/contactus.html)
I sent a message from here, and I also emailed <a href=“mailto:viterbi.admission@usc.edu”>viterbi.admission@usc.edu</a> to inquire about the transferring process.
I got a reply here too:
<a href=“https://www.facebook.com/ViterbiAdmission[/url]”>https://www.facebook.com/ViterbiAdmission</a></p>
<p>My son applied to Viterbi, but was admitted to Dornsife as “undecided.” After exploring the transfer process with Viterbi, I found out that adding engineering as a major is not that difficult. You need to work with Viterbi at orientation to enroll in the proper engineering classes. Then you need to achieve a 3.0 average during your first semester in both your engineering classes and your regular classes. That’s the only requirement. But you will need to work with Viterbi to let them know your intentions at orientation this summer. The school just wants to be sure that you can handle the curriculum before letting you transfer into the department. Keep trying to reach them. I’m sure they will be helpful.</p>
<p>Your son was able to do the switch at orientation?</p>
<p>Thanks guys. I got this response from USC, which is basically everything you just told me. :D</p>
<p>Hello Zeehasham:</p>
<p>The letter is correct, you were admitted to USC (congratulations!) as an undeclared major. </p>
<p>I am sorry about the confusing wording. The way our admission process works at USC is that students are often considered for both their first and second choice majors AND undeclared at the University. </p>
<p>This is one of the ways that we try to make sure that any individual students chances of gaining admission to USC are not unduly effected simply because they apply to a particular major you shouldnt be changing your chances of getting in just because you are interested in a particular major.</p>
<p>Gaining admission was the hard part. As to pursuing engineering, we want to make sure you do well in the engineering classes. If you decide to attend USC and want to change your major to an engineering major, it is as simple as working with the engineering advisors (our office) during orientation: we will work with you to enroll in the correct engineering classes for the fall. At the end of the fall semester, if you have successfully completed those classes (eg., earn a 3.0 GPA overall and in the engineering/engineering related classes), then we can officially change your major to an engineering major.</p>
<p>GruntZeeMan, that was the exact same response that I got from Viterbi. PixelJig, orientation happens this summer. Details are in the admit folder. It looks straightforward and reasonable to be able to get into Viterbi. That’s fantastic news for us because at a lot of universities, it is extremely hard to transfer into engineering.</p>
<p>Thank you for posting the update, it helps knowing there are others out there in the same boat. Goodluck:)</p>
<p>Hello, I am in exactly in same situation. Applied for computer sc and game, but admitted as undeclared major at Dornsife. Did it materialize transferring to Viterbi engineering college from Dornsife? How difficult or easy was the process if you switched to engineering? I have admission to engineering school at UC system. I am in dilemma between choosing between confirmed engineering major vs uncertain one at USC.
Peer’s experience will be highly helpful to help in my decision</p>
<p>I know several students who have done this successfully and it wasn’t any more difficult than just coming in as an engineering major to begin with, since you take the normal classes. Viterbi has lots of resources and support to help you succeed during that first semester (and all 4 years!), and you have access to all of those as a pre-engineering student.</p>
<p>Also, I noticed the link posted in the first reply seems to have become outdated. Here’s an updated link to the form you can use to let Viterbi know you’d like to switch. You should only fill it out once you’ve committed to USC and registered for one of the orientation sessions.
[Pre-Engineering</a> Students](<a href=“http://viterbinotes.usc.edu/pre-engineering/]Pre-Engineering”>http://viterbinotes.usc.edu/pre-engineering/)</p>
<p>ViterbiStudent: thank you so much for an updated info. This really helps.
I was really worried when admission councillor located at undergraduate admission said that transfer to engineering major is not guaranteed from College of letter arts and science, and not to take chance if admitted to engineering major in other universities. The same was told by asst director of admission at Dornsfe. Before giving up all the great financial aid offer from USC, i then was planning to walk in to Viterbi and confirm that. I still plan to visit Vitirbi soon. Thanks again four timly reply and will fill out the form, as I have already made commitment and deposit to enroll.
For spring admit student, how soon it may take to transit to engineering major? Any other tips in this regard is appreciated.
Thank you again.</p>
<p>If I understand your question, a spring admit student can be admitted into an engineering major. If not admitted under engineering, then transferring to Viterbi is the same process but an extra semester might be required to take all required classes. ViterbiStudent knows more than me though.</p>
<p>Aside, if anyone has questions about CS (Games), PM me. I can also try to answer questions about Interactive Media.</p>
<p>Thanks Psydent… ViterbiStudent has indeed provided good enough information.
So, transferring from another college to Viterbi may take about a semester or few more then. That’s fine. My only worry was if it would be extremely difficult due to limited seats or other requirements like going through like new admission processes, eg getting rec letters, writing essays, etc… not sure if that was the reason why I was advised to accept admission offer from another school’s engineering program</p>
<p>On that note, it’s not guaranteed and there are requirements to transfer into Viterbi. I think one is having a 3.0 GPA for classes already taken at USC. I’m sure you can find more info through the resources ViterbiStudent has pointed out.</p>
<p>Thanks for additional info. Is 3.0 gpa requiremeny for engineering courses taken at USC or can include GE courses? If 3.0 gpa is not maintained in the first semester, will it be fine when that’s achieved in subsequent semester(s)? </p>
<p>The other question is about distribution of grades in undergrad engineering courses, I.e, typically what percent of students get A or B, etc
This gives me some idea where I will stand at USC
Thx</p>
<p>Frankly, I think you should ask a Viterbi Rep/Counselor these questions. All I can say is every semester not yet admitted to Viterbi is another semester of having to make up engineering classes, so it’s best to get in sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>I can only speak to CS courses, and the only general guideline is that courses are not graded on a curve so there’s no cutthroat competition. There’s some classes where ~70% get A-range and some classes where ~70% get B-range. I can’t answer better than that, especially because a number of classes I’ve taken are being overhauled by the CS department.</p>
<p>I would caution against my info giving you a false sense of knowing where you will stand at USC. A decent difficulty USC CS course (intro level) was taught at a different college and the students thought it was very difficult. Yet if the same course were taught at MIT it would be really easy.</p>
<p>Thanks Psydent. Your information is very helpful and will visit admission officer at Viterbi. Both of yours info has given me much confidence for joining to USC. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I just noticed from Viterbi’s undergrad program brochures (for each dept) that B.S. Computer Science degree is awarded from the the College of Letter, Arts, and Science, but for others (BS in CECS and BS CS(game), etc) are awarded from Viterbi. Would it mean one may not need to worry about transferring to Viterbi if s/he just wants to get a BS CS degree?</p>
<p>I know that’s confusing, but CS is a Viterbi major so you do still need to transfer to major in CS.</p>
<p>Also, psydent has brought up some good points and I’d like to jump back in too</p>
<p>For this process of transferring to Viterbi from another school at USC, there aren’t additional essays or letters or anything like that, and the process is the same for spring and fall admits but occurs at different times of course, and you do need to meet the GPA requirement.</p>
<p>Based on some some earlier posts, I am pretty sure the 3.0 is in overall GPA (including GE’s) and also engineering courses by themselves.</p>
<p>Finally, I also agree with psydent that it’s hard to say what the grade distribution is, but most classes are not graded on a curve and the engineering school is definitely collaborative rather than competitive. Students can and do get A’s in classes, just as they can and do get C’s, so it’s all about putting in effort and taking advantage of the resources available (professor and TA office hours, study sessions, tutoring, etc.)</p>
<p>At the end of the day, psydent and I are both just students, so I’m glad you’re also reaching out to Viterbi Admissions, and I hope you’ll post what you find out here so others can benefit.</p>