<p>First of all, I apologize if this is in the wrong section. </p>
<p>Now, I've begun on the road to changing majors (into Engineering). Currently, physics majors at my school take a series of physics classes that are major exclusive, but also much more difficult than the physics classes that non-physics majors have to take. Engineering majors belong to the group that take the non-major exclusive classes, obviously. I recently met with the undergrad adviser for the College of Engineering, and she recommended that I continue to take the major exclusive series, to have a backup in case I should get rejected from the College of Engineering. This is a fair point, except that I am doubling my coursework in the next quarter to fulfill the pre-requisites needed to petition for a chance to switch majors. </p>
<p>On the other hand, most of the engineering upperclassmen that I've met insist that I should start in the non-exclusive classes, as they are easier. This way, maintaining a higher GPA is easier to do. The downside is that I effectively lay aside working towards the physics major requirements. In addition, after much research on the professors that teach the non-exclusive classes, I have found that many of the students generally dislike their classes, claiming it is hard or whatnot. </p>
<p>So I can either:
1) Take the non-exclusive series, which should be easier since it will essentially start me off at a class that I have taken twice (AP in HS, and the same class in the harder exclusive series). However, this means I lay aside working towards the requirements for my current major, and depending more on the chance that I am allowed into the College of Engineering. At the same time, the professors are...."sucky." The only one who has space available in her lecture has earned the ire of countless students. The other professor, while slightly less "sucky", and reputed to have his head up his own behind, has a full lecture. I could just crash the course and hope to receive an approval code in time from him, however. </p>
<p>Using this method, my GPA might be higher, and increase my chances of being accepted by the Engineering department. </p>
<p>OR:
2) Take the exclusive series for physics majors. There is a sizable gap in difficulty increase in this series, than in the other series. However, this ensures that I continue to work towards the requirements for both physics and Engineering, since the units are transferable from one to the other. However, my current professor has been largely responsible for dulling my enthusiasm in the major, and if the rest of the professors also teach in the same way, I'm not exactly looking forward to it. I DO know that the professor for the next class is reported to be an improvement over my current professor, so that is a plus. </p>
<p>Undergoing this route, my GPA is likely to be lower due to the higher difficulty (and the stress that will inevitably add up when taking 6 classes). Subsequently, this might lower my chances of being accepted by the Engineering department. </p>
<p>So....there you have it. Sorry for the wall of text, but it tends to pour out. Anyhow, any advise?</p>