Undeclared Major to UCI - how hard to get into CS again?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Irvine
1

My son got undeclared admission to UCI. we applied for CS originally, anyone has any experience for this?

  1. Can he change major to CS during first year.
    For this, he already received letter regarding progress how to change major. But in the letter, it indicated, he needs to submit application for changing major to any open available major. What does that mean? Will CS be included in the open available major?
  2. How hard is it for undeclared student to choose CS major classes? Are they in the lowest priority to select course?
    Anyone has ever successfully changed to CS major from undeclared?
    If there are too much uncertainty, I would rather sending him to UW-Madision / Purdue / UMD, they are all very good schools. Just prefer staying in california.

Thanks for your suggestions.

2

So he received this change of major information? https://changeofmajor.uci.edu/school-of-information-and-computer-sciences/#computer-science

Regarding your other questions, I would contact a UCI advisor and see if you can get more information prior to committing.

Undergraduate/Undeclared

Location: AH 256 (campus map)
Phone: 949.824.6987

Website:
http://www.due.uci.edu/uu/

3

Thanks for replying.
but my concerns are:

  1. Can my son select the required courses easily? Or very hard to select CS courses?
  2. Are there any available spaces for CS major? Even if he is very good at courses, if there is no more space, maybe he will still be denied?

Thanks for your answer.

4

I would check with the CS department directly to find out their procedure. Some UC’s have 2 registration passes where students within the major get 1st choice in the CS classes and then 2nd pass where non-majors are able to register for the CS classes not fillled. Every school is different and since CS is impacted, it may make it more difficult as a non- major. Hopefully a CC poster attending UCI can chime in.

5

That is exactly my concern.
Anybody can help to clarify if it is very difficult for non-cs major student to choose cs classes in UCI CS?
Thanks

6

I do remember seeing a CC poster stating that Undeclared students can get the CS classes but I cannot tell if that was a recent poster or not. I would go direct to the source and talk to someone in the department.

7

My son got this exact same thing. Undeclared even though he applied CS. On his portal, there was a link to email or message an advisor. He did this and asked for clarification. They said that on April 15 he could select from the “open” majors. It didn’t sound like CS would be one of those. The person confirmed that yes, getting undeclared means he was not admitted to his major of choice, CS. That’s all I know

8

Hello. My son is currently a Freshman at UCI and is undeclared. He had also applied to CS. He is in his Spring quarter now and just now got his first computer class. He has, however, been able to take his math and science and Gen Ed requirements and is still on track. Students have until the end of 2nd quarter of their Sophomore year to declare. So, as of now, if a student has done all of the requiremed classes and received the necessary grades you can declare and get into the major. He is loving UCI. Good Luck. Hope this helped.

9

@J4jmom: Thanks for the information and this should be helpful for all current and future applicants. Do they guarantee that if you meet all the requirements to declare the major, that they will have a spot for you?

10

According to the undeclared department, the computer science department, and the undeclared counselor of my son if he meets all of the requirements (grades, entrance classes, etc)he can move into the computer science department. That’s as of this year. I don’t know if they’ll change it for next year, but you can call the undeclared department and speak with a counselor and they are always very helpful.

11

I know that starting next year, transfers can no longer TAG for CS so there might be changes coming for the new in-coming Freshman. I agree always go direct to source to get the most up to date information.

12

My son is also a UCI student. He is not a CS major, but he has many friends who are. It seems that there are MANY students who come into the university either undeclared or with a different major and then try to switch into CS. I don’t believe it is difficult to switch into CS (although that could change in the future). The problem is getting into the required classes. CS majors have first priority and those classes fill up fast. Your best bet is taking summer classes to fulfill the course requirements to switch to CS and even then, there are still wait lists due to the high demand.

13

Hello. Can you share how your son be able to get in the first computer class? and is it ICS 31?

14

One more question?
What Math courses my son should take before apply for change of major to CS?

15

@QP7156: If you check the change of major criteria here are the pre-req courses:

A minimum GPA of 3.0 and no grade less than a C in ALL courses taken from those listed below. Completion of the following:
ICS 31 and ICS 32, or
ICS 32A and ICS 33, and
One or more of Math 2A, Math 2B, ICS 6B, ICS 6D, ICS 6N

16

Thanks Gumbymom for the info. I worry when one the parent told me that my son need complete all math 6B, 6D and 6N before he can apply for change of major to CS.

17

@QP7156: Since changing majors can be competitive, perhaps having the extra Math courses could give a student an extra advantage. I would contact the department to confirm any and all information just to make sure.