Majors Transfer within UC colleges?

I'm currently at one UC but wondering how hard it is to switch majors, like within the same campus. Has anyone done this successfully? How does it work, and are there any specific challenges or deadlines I should know about?

Sure, I can provide some insight on this.

Transfering majors within the same UC campus largely depends on factors such as capacity in the major you wish to switch into, your current GPA, and other specific criteria determined by the major department. Some majors, known as "impacted" or "capped," may have more stringent GPA requirements and prerequisite courses that you must complete before you can declare the major. For instance, engineering, computer science, and some life sciences are often impacted fields, due to substantial student interest and limited faculty resources.

In terms of the process, firstly, you would have to review the change of major policies and procedures specific to your UC campus and the department of the desired major.

Once you gather all the necessary information, you should meet with an academic advisor from both your current department and the prospective major department. This is a key step because these advisors can provide information on course selection, degree requirements, and potential opportunities within the major.

Next, you would usually need to complete prerequisite courses for the new major with the required grades, and possibly maintain a certain GPA as well.

Finally, after meeting all the requirements, you submit a major change request form. The timeline for this can vary, but the end of sophomore year is often cited as a general guideline, as you need sufficient time to complete the new major requirements.

As for challenges, you might find it difficult to get into required classes for the new major due to enrollment priorities, especially for impacted majors. Also factor in that adding classes, or staying longer to meet new major requirements, could have financial implications.

Remember that policies can vary significantly between different UC campuses and even between different departments within the same campus, so the most reliable source of advice will be the respective major department and academic advisors on your campus.