What should I do to get trans from CL&S to ChemEngineering? (First post)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
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<p>Hello all! </p>

<p>I am an incoming freshman at UCLA and was admitted in CL&S as undeclared (in physical scince).</p>

<p>During my application, I wasn't really clear about what might I be interested in, so I did some research again this summer and found ChemEng to be the one (since I like Chem very much and not bad in Physics and Math as well).</p>

<p>Unfortunately, through some posts here I also found that switching into Eng in UCLA is extremely hard (maybe almost impossible?). Not to mention terrifying competition here. </p>

<p>Well, then I thought there must still be some chances (though small), if I choose my courses wisely in the upcoming orientation and do my best to reach the requirements.</p>

<p>SO what should I do to get into Eng? Is talking to counselors the earlier the better? Which courses exactly might be helpful? Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>Here’s a page that may help: [Change</a> of Major ? UCLA Engineering - Office of Academic and Student Affairs](<a href=“http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/undergraduates/change-of-majord]Change”>http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/undergraduates/change-of-majord)</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot! That’s really helpful!</p>

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<p>Then perhaps I’ll take Chem 20A, Math 32A, Physics 1A and English Comp3 for the first term. Will it be too much? Since I was an international student and definitly need some time to fit in this whole new environment…</p>

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<p>They usually recommend 12-15 units for the first quarter.</p>

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<p>That’s a very tough schedule for an incoming freshman; I personally have never looked into what it takes to switching into engineering, I just know it’s hard. However, it should be doable as long as you work really hard to get A’s in the engineering pre-reqs. (Not at all an easy task, especially since almost every student is motivated and very bright) Sorry if that sounds deterring lol; I do think it’s possible and I’ve heard it done before, just work your butt off! A degree in chem engineering will be well worth it. Also, you want to have a good GPA for after college anyway, so it doesn’t hurt to try super hard as a freshman to get into engineering. </p>

<p>But going back to your proposed schedule–I think it’s a terrible idea. You should talk to your orientation counselor to see what classes you should be taking to be on course to switch into the major. Your main priority is getting good (ideally performing in the A/A-/B+ range) grades, and starting off college with that load might be much more than you can handle. </p>

<p>Also, which country are you coming from? Not to be stereotypical, but the super asian internationals are known to set the curves and can handle difficult course loads pretty well (mostly because they don’t do much else with their time besides study–perfectly reasonable if you’re paying 50k to go here…). If you’re one of those internationals then I suppose you might be able to handle that schedule, but I still wouldn’t recommend it for your first quarter. If you just drop Physics for now, you should be fine.</p>

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<p>Get it.<em>Delete Physics 1A</em>
Actually I’m enrolled in the last session of orientation(for internationals), so this schedule only exists in my head, easy to change at anytime.
Thanks again for your advice!
And ya, I’m from Asia…not that super though, and probably won’t spend all my time in library, so an easier schedule sounds much better.</p>

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<p>Coming from a ChemE (transferred from engineering though), who took Math 32a, Physics 1a, Chem 20a. Dude, get ready to get owned. I thought, oh hey. im good at math. and oh hey, i took all the ap phys in my high school. Fun Fact, most people that take Phy 1a are 1) physics majors, or 2) Sophomores. As for math, I thought, why not start as high as I can, I mean I already got a 5 on AP Calc BC. There is actually nothing wrong with taking Math 32a Fall quarter. Some people even take Math 33A or 33B since they already took multivariables. But in all seriousness, at UCLA. Getting a 5 on the AP BC test is minimal competence level to even take Math 32a. You could still be the dumbest one in your class. I’d say, if I could redo my schedule, I would have taken Math 31B. Only took 32A because I 'thought it was a requirement for Phy1A, but it isn’t for engineers (fun fact!). Being in Math 31B is the least of your worries vs Math 32a. Just keep in mind, you’ll be on a more rigorous math track every quarter if you plan on taking math 32B and 33A the following quarters. As in, if you don’t do well the first quarter, expect it to be hard to improve a whole lot. </p>

<p>Yeh, I’d say Math 32a, Chem 20a, and English Comp 3 is a very doable and even may be considered an easy schedule. Depending on your transition, work habits, sleep schedule, social life. I mean theres so many more factors obviously.</p>

<p>But may I recommend,
Chem 20A (Focus on getting an A on this class :slight_smile:
Math 31B (You’re good at math, right? If you couldn’t ace this, how would you have aced 32A? i.e Do well because you know the material, learn the math quarter system, different level of math competition.)
English Comp 3 (As I have heard from many friends, some get by with minimal work, some have reading and essays out the gizzo. Look for a good prof. for sure. YOu’ll prolly be spending a lot of time in this class sadly)
G.E (Especially one the fits your interests. Take a class that you’ll really really enjoy. And note. The g.e’s are different between Engineers and Letters of Science. And note* ChemE’s get Life Science G.E taken care of by Chem and Bio 153A. So you only have 4 categories to fulfill.)</p>

<p>Just keep in mind that, life i easier if you aren’t trying to do everything yourself. Get help from friends like high school, team up with people, ask the teacher, aka office hours are actually useful .-., and G.E’s aren’t exactly free a’s. But I will say that all math/science can agree that time and effort in those classes do guarantee an a, while time and effort in other courses may not :wink: </p>

<p>Big woop, 17 units. But you weren’t even going to take 31B? and 5 of those units are a G.E that you want to take. As in, you are ahead in G.E’s by one count. And behind in Math by one. But you have a better segue into life by making it more enjoyable. Just my 2 cents ol chap. Do what you want. But just remember. If ucla eats you alive and you don’t do well first quarter. Still apply for ChemE, 3.5 is a recommended GPA, who knows what will happen. And, don’t lose faith in yourself eva. Later bru, and good luck</p>

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<p>If I recall correctly even getting a 5 on Calc BC for engineering major unlike for L&S you only get to phase out of 31A and not 31A & 31B. So you should ask if you’re required to take 31B if you intend to change majors during orientation or so. Maybe I’m wrong, if so, ignore this.</p>

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<p>True…I’ve also heard that 31B would be a better idea if you want to build a solid base for your later classes.
And what YouSeeLuckyAce says is quite inspiring, and helpful as well.
I’ll talk to my counselor about this later on orientation, bringing up all your advices also. Again, thank you so much for all your responses! One thing for sure, it feels so great to be in such a nice school.</p>

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<p>3.5 to change your major. Good luck!</p>