I was admitted as a physics/computer science major at dornsife initially. I would like to switch to computer science at viterbi. How would I begin the switch, and would it be easy? I have not attended orientation yet.
That is hard, man. Viterbi engineering and Dornsife are separate schools within USC. It’s especially tricky to switch into Viterbi, as the engineering program is packed. I would call the school with your questions- They know their own policies better than anyone on CC.
I wish you luck!
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@teddyh Actually not difficult if you keep your gpa up and take some required courses. Your advisor at orientation can go over this with you or you can call ahead of time to get specifics, but don’t worry, it is very doable at USC. You will want to take the right courses to set up the change, but they would be classes you need in your current major as well most likely. Viterbi is very competitive, so start strong - but if you hit the marks, you will be able to switch, especially coming in as science major anyway. I have 3 at USC in last 5 years including a CS major. Good luck!
@newkidnewtrix @CADREAMIN Thanks for the advice. I was thinking that it would be easier because I would be taking classes at Viterbi anyways because my major is physics and computer science.
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My son made the switch from Dornsife (Undeclared) to Viterbi (CS Games). There were three core classes he needed to take in order to be evaluated for transfer: CS 103, CS 107 (I think) and, for him, linear algebra (he skipped calculus 1&2 due to his AP score). He ended up with an A, A- and B- (math, due to bombing the final). We were nervous but they did let him into Viterbi. I remember looking at a page on the Viterbi website that outlined the three courses. It’s a gamble but since you are already a CS/Physics major you may have an edge.
it won’t happen immediately like other major/school tranfers might, but as long as you keep your GPA high and talk to your counselor asap about the switch so you can take the classes to transfer (and get A’s/B’s in them) you should be fine, I know quite a few people that switched during their freshman year without too much trouble
It’s super easy – I just was able to switch from Dornsife to Viterbi after my Freshman year. As someone above said, you have to take a math class, a science class, and the introductory engineering class to whatever major you’re looking at all during the same semester. (I actually belive CS is math and two CS classes, though). This is to make sure that you can handle the vigor you will see in Viterbi.
I was told when I applied to aim for B’s and above in those three classes, and a 3.0 overall (including GE’s). However I have heard that some people who got B-'s and C+'s were still able to get in. Basically, coming from someone who just went through the process, I can attest to the fact that there isn’t any competition getting in; they just want to make sure you can handle engineering as it is more difficult than arts and sciences.