<p>So I was contemplating on transferring from UCLA majoring in Cognitive Science or Psychobiology, to UCI majoring in Computer Game Science. I originally came into UCLA under Biology because I had no idea what to do, and I was eventually set on Pre-pharm at the end of my 1st year. After going through some Biology prerequisites, I realized I didn't want to do that, and I turned my attention to Cognitive Science with a Specialization in Computing, because of the opportunity to get some computer experience, and Psychobiology with a Cognitive Science minor specializing in Computing, because I had most of the prerequisites completed. I wanted to do something in animation/graphic design/computer games/programming/computer animation/ so I feel like the Computer Game Science degree might be a good idea. I also really really like UCI, and my time at UCLA is just.. bittersweet. My options are to either transfer to UCI (or maybe look into if it's possible), or to complete my degree, since I'm entering my 3rd year, and apply as a 2nd baccalaureate. What do you guys think? I was considering the grad program at UCI, but I feel like a Cognitive Science degree wouldn't give me enough programming/computer science experience to qualify at UCI, and the undergrad program seems to offer a lot of opportunities to try to make games yourself, and get an internship. </p>
<p>Ahhh, sorry this is super long. Does anyone also know if a 2nd baccalaureate is hard to get into?</p>
<p>In all honesty, I don’t think it really matters what your major is. Games companies want to see that you can program. If you think you need to change majors to become a better programmer, then so be it. A lot of people become sufficient coders just by doing hobby stuff, but maybe you’re not that interested in doing stuff outside of college work? In general, the companies are going to want to see you’ve got some experience, a portfolio, etc.</p>
<p>2nd Bach is really hard to get into. Someone was posting about it a few months ago for UCI and out of over 100 applicants, under 20 were accepted and usually they had exceptional circumstances.</p>
<p>If you are dead set on transferring, see how far along you are with UC Reciprocity and then potentially look into taking a leave of absence from UCLA. That way, if things don’t work out with UCI, you can still go back. Not many people here know much about UC to UC transfer but I’d look into it and make sure that you’re not going to be a senior credit wise when you transfer.</p>
<p>Overall, I think you should just get your degree from UCLA (only two more years!) and then apply to grad school. I have no idea how CompSci works or what classes they might require but you should ask them here:
[contact</a> a counselor @ the bren school of information and computer sciences](<a href=“http://www.ics.uci.edu/grad/sao/index.php]contact”>http://www.ics.uci.edu/grad/sao/index.php)</p>
<p>It would be better to just go for a masters in CS then go for a 2nd bachelors. 2nd bachelors only worth it if you haven’t taken any computer science courses what so ever.</p>
<p>Yeah, like, if I did go to grad school, I’d want to go to UCI as well, ha ha… I just feel like I won’t be able to get in, and if that happens, I’ll be left with just… a Cognitive Science degree, and this major at UCLA doesn’t give you as much programming experience as would an actual computer science major.</p>
<p>What is a leave-of-absence anyways? </p>
<p>I haven’t started taking a computer science course yet because I only recently thought about this more seriously… -_- I know that I do want to head in that sort of direction. I felt that UCI’s program was a good chance to really get some experience. Maybe I could just graduate and then take classes at UCI after I graduated already, and then apply to UCI for grad school? Is that even allowed?</p>
<p>I’d say… to take a computer science course first then decide from there. You thought you were pre-pharm and ended up not liking the biology courses, right? It’s plausible that you might not enjoy computer science or programming as much as you think you will. If it’s not too late, maybe you can look into a computer science class either at UCLA or a CC for this summer just to make sure that you like the field. </p>