How to Change Major at UCSD

Hey all, I've been exploring my interests and I'm thinking about changing my major once I get to UCSD. Has anyone done this before? What's the process like? Is it hard to switch majors at UCSD, and does it affect your graduation timeline?

At UC San Diego (UCSD), the ability to change your major can vary based on whether the major you want to switch into is capped or not. Capped majors are high-demand majors that have a limit on the number of students they can accommodate. To switch into a capped major, you'll generally need to go through a screening process which often includes prerequisite courses and maintaining a certain GPA. On the other hand, non-capped majors typically have a simpler process for switching and can be done after a conversation with your academic advisor and filing the appropriate paperwork.

To start the process, you should first meet with an academic advisor in both your current department and the one you want to switch to. They can guide you through the specific requirements and steps necessary for that particular major. Once you have their approval, you'd need to formally request the change through the "Major and Minor Tool" on the TritonLink portal.

Regarding your graduation timeline, it very much depends on how far along you are in your current major and how different the new major is. If you're early in your studies and the new major doesn’t require vastly different prerequisite courses, it may not significantly impact your graduation date. However, if the two majors are completely different or if you’re further along in your studies, changing majors could mean you need to take additional courses and possibly stay longer than four years.

Some students find the major change process relatively straightforward, especially if they're switching to a non-capped major. If you're switching to a capped major, the process can be more competitive and may require you to maintain a high GPA in specific courses. It's definitely something to consider carefully, and speaking with advisors and students in the major you're interested in can be invaluable.