Selective Major Frequently Asked Questions
Will Selective Major Status impact me if I was admitted prior to Fall 2016?
Selective Major impacts all students regardless of admit year. Please review the Selective Major page to determine how this status may affect you.
If I am a declared major in Biology and decide to declare a major in a different department, and then in the future decide I want to change back to a major in the School of Biological Sciences, can I do so?
If you change your major from Biology to a different major, your request to switch back to a Biology major will be treated the same as any other non-Biology major request. You will not have preferential access to return to a Biology major. Please review how Selective Major Status affects Non-Biology Students for further details.
If I am currently completing the last screening course(s) necessary for consideration of admission, when should I submit my selective application (fall, winter, or spring)?
You should apply during the term that you plan to complete the coursework. For instance, if you are completing your final screening course(s) in Fall, you should apply once the Fall application cycle opens.
If I have AP/IB/A-Level transfer credit for Selective Major Admission courses, will that credit be calculated into the screening GPA requirement?
No. Only coursework taken and completed with a letter grade at a UC will be factored into the screening GPA.
If I have transfer credit for a Selective Major Admission course, can I retake that course at UC San Diego so the course will be calculated into the screening GPA requirement?
No. Coursework that has been completed with a C- or better (or a Pass grade for AP/IB/A-Level) cannot be repeated for credit at UC San Diego.
Will a higher screening GPA make me more competitive for admission?
At this time, the School is not ranking students based on the GPA earned in the screening courses. However, all screening criteria must be completed with a letter grade of C- or better and you will need a minimum 2.5 screening GPA in order to be considered for admission.
Do Selective Major Admission courses need to be complete by the time I apply for admission, or will they be considered if they are work in progress, or incomplete?
All Selective Major Admission coursework, whether taken here at UC San Diego or elsewhere, must be recorded on your UC San Diego academic history with a final grade, no later than one week after the application close date for that application cycle, to be considered for admission into a biology major. If you have a blank/incomplete grade recorded for a Selective Major Admission course, you will be considered ineligible until these grades are resolved with an A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, or C-. Students who entered UC San Diego as freshmen that were denied admission based on missing coursework, or grades, can reapply for consideration during the next application cycle, if within their sixth quarter at UC San Diego.
What can I do to increase my chances of being offered admission?
We recommend completing all screening courses as soon as possible, and applying during an open application cycle, as soon as the application opens.
What are my odds of being accepted into a biology major?
Each year, the School receives an average of 90 applications per quarterly cycle and has been able to offer admission to all applicants who met Selective Major admission criteria. While students can use this information to estimate chances of being admitted, meeting all eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission. Admission outcomes (e.g. the number of applicants, available seats, etc.) can change each quarterly application cycle.
Which courses will be used to calculate my GPA for entry into a biology major?
Grades earned in the following Selective Major Admission courses that were taken at a UC will be included in the GPA considered for admission into a biology major: BILD 1, BILD 3, CHEM 6A, CHEM 6B, CHEM 6C, CHEM 7L, MATH 10A or 20A, and MATH 10B or 20B.
I applied through the Selective Major Application process and was denied. Can I apply again in the future?
Students who started at UC San Diego as freshmen may continue to apply through the Selective Major Application process through their sixth quarter at UC San Diego. Please keep in mind that applying does not guarantee admittance. Students should consider a back-up major and time to degree if they plan to apply through the Selective Major Application process.
I am not eligible to apply for a major in the School of Biological Sciences, but have taken several biology courses. What can I do?
Students who are not eligible for a biology major may consider declaring a Minor in Biology.
I am applying for Readmission, can I still declare a major in the School of Biological Sciences
If you were a declared biology major when you left UC San Diego, you can list your proposed biology major on your readmission application or appeal form.
If you were in a non-biology major when you left UC San Diego, you will need to list an eligible non-biology major on your readmission application or appeal form. If you are readmitted to UC San Diego and would like to attempt a change of major to one offered in the School of Biological Sciences, you will need to reference the Non-Biology Majors section on the Selective Major page for information on consideration of admission into a biology major.
What is the numerical limit on the number of non-biology majors that will be allowed to declare a biology major?
Target numbers will vary for each quarterly application cycle so an exact number is not available.