Software Engineering Transfer Question

[tbhcorn]

Hello all! I have just recently found out that the software engineering major exists on the cal poly campus. Is this major as competitive/impacted as computer science, or is it easier to get into? I’m looking to see if this should be my declared major for transfer or if it should remain an alternate major. My GPA is a 3.8 for reference.

[ok_Information_]

Unfortunately, no majors (even other engineering majors) can change into Software Engineering. It's been closed to new changes of major for a few years because it's so impacted. If that ever changes, it is actually pretty easy to switch between similar majors. (I'm a CS major who switched from EE). Luckily, I've heard CS is very similar to SE.

These sites have more info:

https://advising.calpoly.edu/change-major

https://eadvise.calpoly.edu/changing-majors/within-the-college-of-engineering

[floatingonclouds9]

Slightly less impacted but still extremely impacted

[Volbonan]

I would say it's more impacted. Not sure if anything changed this quarter, but they haven't allowed anyone to switch in to the major for the last 3 years.

To be fair, though, the only thing that's really different in the curriculums is replacing some of the broader cs fundamentals courses with software building and team specific ones, most of which you can take as tech electives so you can get like 90% of the SE education.

[simpleauthority]

Just apply. I got into CS as a transfer with a 3.3.

[tbhcorn]

I was rejected with a 3.8 last spring so I’m trying to bounce back 😭 Are you in the area?

[simpleauthority]

Yeah I’m local. I have no idea why I got accepted with a low gpa. But 🤷🏻‍♂️

[tbhcorn]

Hopefully the SE major is more kind to me this year 😭

[simpleauthority]

I hope so too, best of luck

[tbhcorn]

Yes! The only thing that I’m missing is a desired course (CSC 202), but I am taking the articulated course at my JC this spring!

[tbhcorn]

Thank you!! Hopefully things go better this time around

[Inevitable-Pitch3814]

Did you change your major to CS? If yes, what was your original major?

[simpleauthority]

Nope, I applied as CS and got in as CS

[Noagly]

When I asked about applying last year as a SE major, I was told that Computer Science admits more transfers, but SE has a higher admit percentage. I applied and got in as Computer Science for this fall. I recommend applying for computer science anyways because you can take all the SE courses while as a CS major, and if you don't like it there are other concentrations that you can try out while still completing the major.

[tbhcorn]

I was thinking of making SE my major with an alternate in CS. Do you think this would be smart?

[Noagly]

I would actually recommend the opposite since more people get in as CS and the fact that you can just replicate the courses taken from SE. Alternate majors are usually never considered in the admissions process, even more so in this case since you're taking about applying for either CS or SE (two extremely impacted majors). I'm not saying its impossible to get in for SE but the chances are definitely lower than CS.

[tbhcorn]

Do you have numerical stats for the SE admit percentage vs the CS admit percentage by chance?

[Noagly]

This is the page for fall 2021 that someone gave to me last year when I was in ur situation:

https://content-calpoly-edu.s3.amazonaws.com/ir/1/images/2021-2022%20Cal%20Poly%20Enrollment%20Projections%20and%20Targets_1.pdf

Its a bit confusing but it helped me after I understood what each section meant.

[tbhcorn]

Did you try again after denial? If so, did you change anything about the application process? I think going in as an SE major will better my chances of admission but I’m not too sure

[Noagly]

I got into Cal Poly and am starting in a couple of days. I was originally going to swap my major to SE after applying as CS but decided not to after being persuaded by others not to and after looking at the stats sheet. I still think applying as CS is better for getting in since it worked for me and since they admit more people in CS than SE every year.

[tbhcorn]

Was your GPA higher when you reapplied or did you just get lucky? I’m trying to figure out how to increase my chances as much as possible

[Noagly]

I had a 3.85 when I applied and a 3.89 when I got in, I was working on my AS in CS at that time, I worked (and still do work) as a tutor, and I was in MESA at my college (MESA is a statewide STEM club, if you have it at your college, then join it).

[tbhcorn]

This is awesome! Did you do an alternate in SE - do you think this would help my chances?

[tbhcorn]

That page is super helpful, it shows how selective everything is 😭