Switch to engineering as a current sophomore?

<p>Hey guys,
I'm currently a sophomore, and I've been doing lots of major and soul searching for this past year and a half and am starting to feel that the field of engineering may be the right career path for me (specifically, computer science and engineering). Winter quarter, I took Chem 20A, Math 31A, and PIC10A as part of the requirements for getting into the school. I got a flat B average in those classes.
Now, I know I'm really behind, and I'm aware that a B average is not very competitive. However, I'm currently a pre-psych major (only because I had to pick something) and took North campus classes til the quarter before the last. Anyone who's taken both North and South campus classes must know the workload difference between the two! So I had to adjust. I started off the quarter getting a C average but near the end, I was getting consistent A's (so it averaged to around a B). Now, I know I can't predict the difficulty of future classes (this quarter I plan to take 2 math classes, physics, and PIC10B), but I'm pretty certain I can do better than last quarter.
But here's my question: I know no one can predict the future, but anyone know anything about the statistics of the applicant pool for people wanting to switch into engineering from L&S? Any opinions on whether I should even continue to try to get into engineering this quarter with the B average from the last? I'm also open to other engineering fields..computer science and engineering seemed to be the best fit, but possibly mechanical and aerospace seem interesting...especially if they prove more likely for me to get in.</p>

<p>Thanks, I know this is long. Your input is really appreciated.</p>

<p>The best way to find out is to give it a shot. It’s not a long application. If your petition gets rejected, schedule an appointment with an HSSEAS counselor to see how you can possibly make a stronger case. Also, I’d recommend switching PIC 10B with CS 32. It’s more challenging, but also more rewarding.</p>

<p>Just curious: why CSE over CS?</p>

<p>And with all things in petitioning in engineering - never write just enough to fill whatever box they give you. You’ll get a much better response if you take the time to write a letter (normal/business format/whatever) that details your case.</p>

<p>thanks for your replies guys. sorry for the late response, forgot to subscribe to this thread.</p>

<p>anyway, i chose cse because i’m not sure if i want to narrow down my options to something so specific yet. i feel with cse i have more options in the future.</p>

<p>Take PIC 10B. HSSEAS will usually allow you to substitute PIC 10A & 10B for CS 31. You can’t take CS 32 with just PIC 10A.</p>

<p>It’s weird… I spoke with the UCLA Math dept (who houses the PIC classes) and they seemed to think that taking CS 31 –> PIC 10A, but going the other way, PIC 10A and B –> CS 31. Can anyone clarify?</p>

<p>I’m a CS major with several friends in Math/Econ (They have taken PIC series)</p>

<p>CS 31 = PIC 10A
CS 32 = PIC 10B + PIC 10C</p>

<p>PIC 10A learns most of what CS 31 teaches. Functions, Control Flow, and Classes</p>

<p>10B material goes up to Linked Lists and Data Structures
10C material goes more into Sorting and Algorithms/Big O.</p>

<p>I talked to the engineering dept and they told me PIC 10A and PIC 10B = CS 31, credit-wise anyway. It says the same on the UCLA engineering website</p>

<p>There you go! Very wise of you to talk to the department rather than relying on a message board or a bunch of anonymous people who say, “my friend said that…”</p>