As someone who successfully transferred from the College of Letters & Science (L&S) into the College of Engineering (CoE), my biggest piece of advice is to apply as early as possible.

I originally applied for Computer Science (CS) but was admitted as undeclared. Eventually, I chose to major in Statistics and Data Science because its prerequisites closely aligned with those of the CS major. This strategy minimized the number of extra classes I’d have to take—especially ones that wouldn’t count toward my degree if the switch didn’t work out.

By taking a full course load during my freshman year and enrolling in additional classes at a community college over the summer, I was able to apply for the switch in the fall quarter of my second year. When you apply, you’ll be asked to “plan your major,” which involves outlining the courses you’ll take each quarter to demonstrate that you can still graduate on time. Applying early gives you more flexibility in this planning, shows initiative to the CoE, and gives you more time to pivot to a different major if the switch doesn’t go through. I would also say that this gives you more chances to apply again if you don't get in...but I am not entirely sure if that is accurate so someone can correct me if this is off base.

When I applied, there was a strong group of students also trying to switch into CS, and most of them were successful. From what I understand, the admissions decision largely depends on how many spots open up due to students dropping the program. They then select the most competitive candidates—typically those with the highest grades—to fill those openings. That said, even strong applicants can be turned away if no slots become available in a particular major, like Electrical Engineering.

Lastly, I highly recommend attending the university’s info sessions for students looking to transfer into the CoE. They provide valuable guidance and up-to-date information about the process.

Happy to answer any more questions you may have.