<p>I was recently admitted to UCLA for fall 2012. I was accepted as an environmental sciences major but I would really like to major in a less scientific field. I am hoping to switch to Communications, but I have read that you cannot do this until sophomore year.
Is this true?
If so, what major should I switch to in the mean time to prepare for Communications?
How hard is it to switch into this major?
Do I switch my major at orientation?
How does this work?</p>
<p>It’s true that you can’t apply into the Communications Studies major until you’re a Sophomore. You have to have completed at least 45 letter-graded units at UCLA to be eligible to apply into the major (45 units is the minimum for Sophomore standing). </p>
<p>You won’t be able to switch your major to Communication Studies at orientation. There is no official “Pre-Communications” major like there is for Biz-Econ, so you can stick with majoring in Environmental Science in the mean time. You don’t necessarily have to be any particular major leading up to applying into Communications, you just have to complete at least two lower or upper division courses for a letter grade. The req classes are listed here:
[11F</a> Requirements — Communication Studies](<a href=“http://commstudies.ucla.edu/requirements/11f-requirements]11F”>http://commstudies.ucla.edu/requirements/11f-requirements)</p>
<p>I’ve heard that it is HIGHLY recommended that you take Comm 10 as a pre-req course, as, from what I’ve heard, the department considers this to be a good indicator of whether or not you’re cut out for Comm. Everyone I’ve spoken to has said that it’s pretty much required that you get an A in Comm 10 to remain competitive for admission into the department. Keep in mind this isn’t some official requirement, but it’s a testament to just how competitive getting accepted into the department really is. </p>
<p>I went to an information session for the Comm Studies major and the counselors really stressed the fact that competition to get into the major is pretty tough. Since you’ll be applying as a Sophomore, you can be certain that you’ll be up against external transfers as well as your peers at UCLA to be admitted. While these stats are pooled only from external transfers, the stats listed for Communications Studies should give you an idea of just how much is expected of you and just how low the department’s acceptance rate is:
[Profile</a> of Admitted Transfer Students by Major, Fall 2011 - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof11_mjr.htm]Profile”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof11_mjr.htm)</p>
<p>You don’t necessarily have to maintain a 4.0/3.9 GPA to be admitted into Comm, there are definitely outliers who are below that average and are accepted. Just keep your GPA up, try to do well in a handful of the req courses, and hope for the best when it comes time to apply.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that years and standings are two separate things - As a first year I gained sophomore standing halfway through the year because of the number of units I had from APs (one of the few things they help with) and the number I was taking each quarter. Thus you will find some people who are able to apply at the end of your first year. I would recommend, if you have sophomore standing then, applying at the end of your first year so that if you don’t get in you can apply again at the end of your second year. I’m currently a second year with junior standing and so won’t be applying until the end of this year, but most people have advised me to 1. Keep my GPA as high as possible 2. Take two pre-reqs and I’ll be fine (will have taken 5 by the end of this year) and interestingly enough (contrary to what Bruin310 has said) 3. to save Comm 10 for AFTER I get into the major. The reason being that Comm 10 is a known GPA killer, but if you can get an A in it then that’s great for you! Yes it is tough but I think they do take into consideration the rigor of the class.</p>
<p>I’d also like to say that although right now you think you want to do Communications, that opinion might change once you actually get here. There were so many options that I didn’t know I had, subject matters I hadn’t ever explored before, that I ended up really liking when I took the classes. Like you, I was admitted under a science-y major but realized I didn’t really want to go down that path. Take advantage of the many courses offered and see what’s truly the best fit for you! And if you think that that major is Communications then by all means go for it.</p>
<p>The previous responses were correct regarding applying for communications. My child did that last Fall.</p>
<p>Go to the Communication dept and speak to the counselors and keep your GPA up. </p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>My daughter is currently a senior at UCLA. She is a communications major so I remember her asking all these questions and going through the same thing. You must have completed 45 UCLA units to apply so it doesn’t matter how many AP units you have going in. They want to see your grades from 45 “UCLA” units. My daughter was told by many who went before her to: Keep a very high GPA. That is the main criteria. She had a 3.9 UCLA GPA when she applied and had friends with a 3.7 who did not get into the major. You must follow the instructions on the communications dept. website and take a certain amount of lower division/upper division pre reqs. But I will give opposite advice than what Bruin310 said…my daughter was advised NOT to take Comm. 10 before applying. It is a very difficult class and you will do much better in it if you take it as a junior or senior with many other comm. classes under your belt. It is NOT required that you take it before you apply and my daughter is very glad she waited. My daughter also applied to UCLA as “undeclared” since she knew she would be applying for the comm. major and there is no “pre-comm major.” So my advice to you is to keep a very high GPA, take the required pre reqs for the major and while doing that take a variety of classes while fulfilling your GE requirements to be sure that is the major you want. You can apply for the comm. major in the fall of your sophomore year provided you have completed 45 “UCLA” units. Good luck!</p>
<p>I am a transfer student…I applied to UCLA and UCB for comm major. My GPA is a terrible 3.7.
I was in PTK, several other clubs, did volunteer service, worked in school newspaper, broadcasting program, debate team, and interned at fox. My essays were pretty good. Do I still have a chance even if my gpa is so low???</p>