Hey everyone, I’m applying to UC Berkeley and I intend to major in CS. However I don’t feel my application is strong enough to get in for L&S CS directly or for EECS. So my plan is to back door into L&S CS by getting into a CS adjacent L&S major and then declaring CS through there. I just don’t know which L&S major to pick. At first I was gonna pick Applied Math as the acceptance rate is high but I realized that my PIQs are all heavily focused on CS so I fear that might be a red flag to AOs. I’m also considering applying as a Data Science major however I’m unsure on what the acceptance rate is like for that major as there’s no public data on it yet.
For which major or majors will you have completed all the transfer requirements?
Back door attempts at CS will likely not be successful. They are aware of this trick.
I will be eligible for L&S CS, Applied Math, and Data Science
Even if you transfer as a CS major for UCB will still need to declare the major after taking the remaining technical prerequisites with a Berkeley grade point average of at least 3.30 in the 3 prerequisite courses (CS 61A, 61B/BL, and 70), and complete the application form required by the department.
If you are worried about getting into UCB L&S, then apply with the Applied Math or Data science major.
Unless your CC offers all the lower division pre-req courses for Data Science, you will still be required to complete these courses at UCB. The prerequisites to declare the L&S Data Science major are Foundations of Data Science, Calculus I, Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Program Structures, and Data Structures.
I’m ok with having to meet the GPA cap to declare. I’m still not sure which major to pick from my 3 options. I’m just unsure if I can apply for Applied Math if my PIQs explicitly mention CS. It seems like it should be a red flag to admissions but I’ve heard anecdotes of CS people applying as Applied Math and still getting in. Also does anyone here know how competitive Data Science transfer admission is?