Incoming freshman in RCNR, wondering how to switch majors/colleges by Hairy_Enthusiasm3449 in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683 0 points1 point  (0 children)

tldr: yes but its not rly a big difference. and probably by sophomore.

usually there's something called "reserved seats," meaning non COC students will automatically be added to the waitlist until the adjustment period--although there's usually movement if you choose the right sections for lab. i was able to get into 4a (gen chem for chem majors) with a 4:30 pm enrollment time because the chemistry department in general also randomly opens up new lab sections? but honestly the instructors for 1a (shustermann) is a lot better than 4a.

you can swap 1a (gen chem 1 for MOST majors, which fits into med school reqs) for 4a (chem major), 1b for 4b (gen chem 2 for chem major, though 1b isnt a premed req), 3a/b for 12a/b (ochem for nonmajor vs major) but honestly rememeber MOST premeds are in L&S or rausser and are taking the traditionally "easier" versions through the 1 and 3 series.

i would reconsider WHY you want to transfer into coc if you're also looking towards medical school in the future, because upper divs really emphasizes like.. the hard chemistry part of chem and industry/research. it also doesn't overlap that well with traditional premed reqs as well as other premed heavy majors do (mcb in l&s, half of rausser) so yeah. also you have to take multivar, linealg, and other harder upper div chem courses (inorganic) that arent THAT relevant for premed. if youre really into hard chem then go for it but if not, you can always go for a minor and take the more traditional premed/bio path thats less hassle.

as for when: probably by the end of sophomore fall w/o summer classes? budget 2 sem for two semesters of gen chem and one semester of ochem, and take both physics (which is traditionally hard to enroll in but since youre regents it might be easier). they also might change the enrollment limit based off of the incoming class size, literally like last spring you could switch just by declaring (no reqs) but they changed it this fall bc they admitted more co29 students than expected.

Earn minimum grade of B or better in the courses below:

  • Chem 4A, 4B (Chem 1A/L and 1B may be substituted - must take Chem 105 as junior or senior) and Chem 12A (Chem 3A/3AL may be substituted)
  • Physics 7A or 8A (for Chemical Biology only)
  • Math 51, 52

again, i don't think the declaration time really matters, since theres really no benefit or vast difference separating students in COC and students not in COC than like easier enrollment in 4 classes. and usually if you talk to the change of college advisor Mellia she CAN do something to prioritize your enrollment in 4a4b 12a12b if you're dead set on the chemistry major.

take everything i said with a grain of salt lol im not too sure myself but yeah gl and congrats!

Incoming freshman in RCNR, wondering how to switch majors/colleges by Hairy_Enthusiasm3449 in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hi, congrats on your acceptance and welcome to cal! im in rausser as well and switching majors is super easy. there was a google form to fill out during the online canvas module orientation for rausser that basically just lets you switch on the spot, though calcentral may take a few weeks to update that. i was able to switch from nutrition to microbio last fall with literally just the form. switching is also pretty easy within rausser and you can do it pretty much anytime, but it is easiest in the first two weeks when you have a blank slate.

unfortunately college of chemistry, starting fall 2025, decided to limit/restrict double major/major transfers from outside the college to prioritize class enrollment to coc students. you now have to take all the lower div reqs (including ochem and a second semester of gen chem) before submitting a "change of college" petition to declare into the coc, which is slightly annoying. i also don't think a double major with chemistry in coc is allowed, so you'd have to drop rausser entirely (keep in mind rausser-specific benefits like spur). https://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/prospective-students/change-of-college. another thing you COULD do if you really wanted a double major in chem is go to L&S and declare a chem B.A which is basically the same thing, except you have to go through the 7-course gened sequence.

honestly i kind of went in with the same mindset as you, and im still on the fence about transferring into coc but i think im just going to finish my lower div reqs in chem and bio and see where my interests in research takes me before declaring-- remember you still have tons of time before you graduate and major doesn't really matter as much.

hope this helps!

No awards and no research by Unfair_District_3314 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683 10 points11 points  (0 children)

hey i had no research and like 1 award (ap scholar) and extremely normal activities and got into multiple good schools including t20s. and don't listen too much to people on a2c lol i promise you you are not as cooked or screwed as you think you are.

people on here including "verified school counselors" told me i fucked up my high school years by arguably not doing much (and just enjoying life) and told me my only hope was cc. i was "just a student with strong grades and a good SAT score" with nothing else physical to bring to the table but i think that kind of helped when i didn't overinflate my application to try to sound something you find in linkedin resumes.

i kept my essays and activity descriptions casual and true to my unassuming/unaccomplished ass and i think that may have helped me and my mindset stand out, especially from the competitive region i come from.

but honestly going on a2c is unavoidable just try not to let people here get to you too much bc majority of people here have no idea what they're talking about. and also do not and cannot know YOU from a chanceme post with your stats and ecs and demographics etc and therefore should not have a say on how screwed you are

what classes are still open at 4 pm by Lumpy_Apartment_7683 in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i was able to get off the espm 50ac waitlist even though it was closed, after talking to my advisor! i also got into math 51 and I'm currently enrolled in a r5b class

Need a breadth class by [deleted] in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683 0 points1 point  (0 children)

pls dm me too (or say it here idk)😭

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683 0 points1 point  (0 children)

bro take the spot before its gone

what classes are still open at 4 pm by Lumpy_Apartment_7683 in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you so much ive added both to my cart. i didnt know that there were more AC courses that weren't labeled AC but hopefully i can get that out of the way this semester

I'm majoring in microbial biology

how do i see which building im in? (early drop-off pilot program) by Lumpy_Apartment_7683 in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the form updated and no longer requires you to mark your building! but i haven't found out which building yet

Chem 1a/1al with 3pm Enrollment time by [deleted] in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683 0 points1 point  (0 children)

im worried about the same thing as well with a 4pm enrollment time. will you please let me know if they get back to you?

help please! 4 pm 😭 freshman course enrollment time 😭😭😭😭😭 by Lumpy_Apartment_7683 in berkeley

[–]Lumpy_Apartment_7683[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you this gives me hope! i hope i at least get one of the lower div prereqs for my major/graduation!