USCD (undeclared) or other UC's (computer science)?

State Forums
1

UCSD has a higher ranking in computer science than other UC’s I’ve been accepted to (Davis, Irvine, Santa Barbara), but SD gave me undeclared while others offered me the major I want

Is it hard to transfer into the cs program even with mostly A’s?
Do I need to write an essay stating my interest when I am declaring my major?
Is it possible that I become a junior some day and I am still undeclared?
Which has the better cs program, Davis, Irvine, or SB?

Thanks in advance!

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You can try to transfer into Computer Science at the end of each quarter at UCSD. Admission is based solely on GPA. Prior to applying, you need to pass four courses: CSE 8B or 11, CSE 12, CSE 15L, and CSE 20 or Math 15A. The odds of getting in vary from quarter to quarter; it’s difficult, but not impossible. Other engineering departments have a similar process with different prerequisite courses. Many students also consider majoring in Mathematics-Computer Science or other related disciplines.

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Thanks so much!

4

Davis, Irvine and SB all have good CS programs with good prospects. It will be difficult to transfer into CS at UCSD and if you are okay with another major instead then you can risk it but I would recommend you do that, I would not have my kid do that. It simply doesn’t matter enough at the undergraduate level. I am not sure what ranking you are referring to but it is likely grad school ranking. You will not be going to the grad school at this time. I would pick between Davis, Irvine and SB depending on what you like overall in a school. Irvine has a stand alone CS School which is very strong and large and offers a lot of options. But Irvine is a bit more commuter. If you like a college town atmosphere I would pick Davis or SB first.

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According to a recent Reddit/UCSD thread, some students who tried to transfer into CS this quarter at UCSD posted their grades in each of the above-mentioned courses. The only ones who reported being accepted were the ones with an A in each of the courses. According to what was posted, just one A- was enough to keep someone out. In my opinion, you should be proud of getting CS at the other UC’s and go with one of them. As far as the rankings go, they are based partly on the quality of research produced at the graduate level and don’t necessarily indicate whether undergraduate courses are well taught.

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Thanks for the input everyone and I have decided to go with SD. Its probably one of the craziest decisions I’ve made in a while. X_X