Changing major from Bioengineering to Neuroscience

[Michael8009]

After doing some research I found that I need an easier major to make myself a better looking med school applicant by being involved more in the humanities, and being a BioE will be very difficult to obtain a 3.7 GPA. Plus, at the time of picking BioE I wanted to eventually get into Neural Engineering. So Neuroscience was initially my first interest.

The problem is that I sent off my college applications already. I applied to UCSD, UCB, UCLA, and UCD for BioE. UCD is my ultimate fall-back plan. BioE is impacted at UCSD, as well as all of their Bio based majors. My plan is to wait until I hear the verdict on where I got into school at. At which time I will then call and make an apt. with a counselor at the destined UC to change my major (if possible) to Neuroscience (if not then Biochem). I know there will be a lot of paper work to go through, that is if it is possible. Does this sound like a good plan or should I pursue things differently?
Does anyone know if it is possible to opt out of a major and into Neuroscience at any of the UC's I mentioned above?

Also, if anyone has taken Neuroscience or neurobiology at UCLA, UCB, or UCSD let me know what you thought of it. Thank you!!!

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[Sed8&Intub8]

From my understanding at most schools changing your major is no issue at all.

 

[Hope2008]

Pick a major that you are truly interested in. You will enjoy it and maintain a high GPA naturally.

 

[Sammich117]

I was biochem for 3 years, then switched to behavioral neuroscience (not b/c it's easier.. I'm not sure I've heard people say neuroscience is easier than most things...haha). It wasn't any issue, so I'm pretty sure you'll be fine

 

[avksx]

Another Nuerobio/Nuerosci major in the house. WOOT WOOT.


As far as I know changing your majors is as simple as re-declaring next semester and finding out what your new majors graduation reqs are.
Your general bio/chem classes will still go towards your degree and you can reapply your Bioengineering courses as electives.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

After doing some research I found that I need an easier major to make myself a better looking med school applicant by being involved more in the humanities, and being a BioE will be very difficult to obtain a 3.7 GPA. Plus, at the time of picking BioE I wanted to eventually get into Neural Engineering. So Neuroscience was initially my first interest.

The problem is that I sent off my college applications already. I applied to UCSD, UCB, UCLA, and UCD for BioE. UCD is my ultimate fall-back plan. BioE is impacted at UCSD, as well as all of their Bio based majors. My plan is to wait until I hear the verdict on where I got into school at. At which time I will then call and make an apt. with a counselor at the destined UC to change my major (if possible) to Neuroscience (if not then Biochem). I know there will be a lot of paper work to go through, that is if it is possible. Does this sound like a good plan or should I pursue things differently?
Does anyone know if it is possible to opt out of a major and into Neuroscience at any of the UC's I mentioned above?

Also, if anyone has taken Neuroscience or neurobiology at UCLA, UCB, or UCSD let me know what you thought of it. Thank you!!!

As far as I know transferring INTO BioE is the only problem. I know several people who switched out from BME to bio without a problem?

By the way, don't be so sure that bio will be "easier." Upper level engineering classes tend to be a lot of fun and the faculty is more "personable." On the other hand I've heard terrible things about how they weed out bio majors at UCs because there are too many of them...

 

[Drexon]

I never applied to any of the majors you're talking about. I was just general bio overall. I eventually took a whole bunch of interesting upper div bio classes and random elective classes. This resulted in a "specialty" in bio cell & dev and a minor lol . But I worked in a lab doing a lot of molecular biology with viruses haha

Bottom line I think you shouldn't be so focused in pursing a set major. Take what peeks your interest not because of the title of the program. You don't need to specialize to make yourself look like a competitive applicant. Being a regular bio major isn't a mark of shame. Just get good grades, mcat, EC, letters of rec etc. You know the drill. Why get so caught up as to which major you need to specialize in. Med school accepts people who were in humanities.

 

[avksx]

Take what peeks your interest not because of the title of the program. .

"Piques" was the word you were looking for.