Transfer to Engineering College

<p>Hey, does anyone know how much competition is involved in change of college from L&S to College of Engineering at Berkeley? On the UCB engineering site, it says that a technical GPA of 3.00 and if the basic course requirements are met, then "you are in good shape". But some people tell me that transferring to Engineering is extremely difficult. Personally, I'm pretty confident about getting well over a 3.00 GPA (at least 3.6) and I plan to take all of the prereq courses anyways. So, anybody know which source is accurate and how difficult it really is to transfer to (civil) engineering, or better: my chances? Thanks</p>

<p>PS. I already asked this elsewhere but couldn't get my question answered so sorry if you've seen this post already</p>

<p>Your chance will depend on how much room the program has and how many students are trying to transfer.</p>

<p>Extremeley difficult? Not so true for civil engineering. Not that civil engineering is an incompetent major by any means, but there are simply fewer people who want to transfer into it compared to EECS or BioE. This should be a good news for you as there shouldn’t be any more than 20 people applying for it. (or perhaps times have changed since I applied)</p>

<p>Anyway, I myself am a transfer to MechE and I only had an overall 3.5 gpa and even lower for my technical courses. Besides your GPA, your advisor will look at how much you are on track towards the civil engineering degree so take those math and physics or R&C/AC courses to please them. But I think the most important part of the application is the essay part essentially asking why you want to switch. Be convincing why you should be major in civil engineering.</p>

<p>Also, please do think over and over if you are sure you want be in CoE and if civil engineering is the one that you want to do.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice guys. UpMagic, when you said that there shouldn’t be more than 20 people applying, do you know approximately how many spots are available? I know that it varies year to year, but would you have any clue as to the average number, perhaps 5-6 spots?</p>

<p>Also, what did you mean by “even lower for my technical courses”? Isn’t your GPA just the technical GPA that you use to fill out the petition with? Lastly, when did you transfer? Thanks :)</p>

<p>I was looking this up a few weeks ago, and according to Berkeley, if you weren’t originally accepted as a freshman Engineering student, you can only apply to transfer during your Junior year. Can anyone confirm this? It sounded a little odd to me.
So my guess is that, if you’re planning to transfer, you have to keep up with the strenuous Engineering workload even before you’re accepted to the college, just to prove that you’re on track…?</p>

<p>Well, from what I got reading the COE site, it says that you are able to transfer after 2 semesters (can fill application during the second semester). Are you also looking to transfer?</p>

<p>I transferred after two semesters I came to Berkeley as a freshman. No need to wait until your junior year.
What I meant by “even lower for my technical courses” is that the gpa for my math and science classes that all engineering students must take was lower than the overall gpa which includes not only those math and sciences but also AC and R&C and other courses I have taken for fun.</p>

<p>One more thing, it’s not like there are 5-6 spots available for 20 or so applicants. If all of the applicants are qualified, sometimes it is 100% admit. The vice versa applies too if all of you have low gpa and lousy essays. I hope you don’t get nervous about it because it is not as hard as you think as long as you submit all the necessary forms.</p>

<p>Oh by the way, a1b2c3333, yes I’m looking for transfer into the CoE :)</p>

<p>UpMagic, it’s interesting that you say there are potentially 100% admits. Everyone, including UC Berkeley FAQs mention that there is considerable competition. How would the transfer process be competitive at all if anyone who meets requirements can get in? Or is the only competition the classes and the process of getting a high GPA?</p>

<p>hi every one especially upmagic
how can i transfer to mechE?i study at tehran un
should i pass anycourse?
can u tell me more about ur tranferring and GPA?</p>

<p>I am just reciting what my CoE advisor told me. She told me there was one year she admitted 17 out of 18 students. It is competitive, but it’s not a killing field.</p>

<p>And what did I do? I just followed the instructions written in the CoE website. My grades were mixture of B’s and A’s; as typical as it can get…Please PM me if you still somehow have some questions.</p>