To apply for transfer admission to a UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering major, students should complete the UC Undergraduate Application and select an engineering major as their first choice. The annual filing period is November 1-30.
UCSD has an eight-college system and freshman applicants will need to rank the colleges in order of preference when applying for admission. The colleges help shape a student's program of study because general education requirements are determined by the college, while engineering major requirements are determined by the academic department. The Jacobs School is not affiliated with any one particular college, and engineering students are distributed amongst the eight colleges. Students admitted to UC San Diego, are assigned to a college based on their preference ranking of the colleges on the UC application and space availability. Students who accept the offer of admission should assume that they will remain in the college to which they were admitted. Changing colleges is rare and quite difficult.
Students may apply for an Inter College Transfer after:
- completing the home college's writing requirements during the first year, AND
- Satisfying the minimum GPA requirements to transfer, AND
- demonstrating that changing colleges will result in a significantly faster time to graduation.
Submitting an application to transfer colleges does not guarantee approval.
Most students find a home in their college and after a very short time become completely involved with friends and activities there. For more answers to specific questions, check out the College System FAQs.
Transfer admission to the Jacobs School is a two-step process
Step 1 - Admission to UCSD
Students must meet the UCSD requirements for transfer admission. Priority is given to applicants from California Community Colleges. All applications are reviewed by the UCSD Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools. This office determines admission to UCSD and assigns transfer students to their undergraduate college.
Step 2 - Admission to an Engineering Major
All admitted transfer students who selected an open engineering major as their first choice on the UC application will be admitted directly into their major. The major preparation courses listed below however are strongly recommended for success in the major:
- Calculus I - for Science and Engineering (Math 20A)
- Calculus II - for Science and Engineering (Math 20B)
- Calculus and Analytical Geometry (Math 20C)
- Differential Equations (Math 20D)
- Linear Algebra (Math 20F)
- Calculus Based Physics series with lab experience (Physics 2A)
- Calculus Based Physics series with lab experience (Physics 2B)
- Calculus Based Physics series with lab experience (Physics 2C)
- Chemistry 6A (except Computer Science and Computer Engineering majors)
NOTE: A total of ten *quarter-units of general chemistry (including laboratory) is recommended for students applying to all majors offered by the Department of Bioengineering. - Highest level of Computer programming course offered at your college (Equivalent UCSD courses include: CSE 8B, CSE 11, CSE 12, CSE 20 (or Math 15A), CSE 21 (or Math 15B), CSE 30, CSE 91, ECE 15, MAE 9, MAE 10)
Note: The above courses are listed by their name at UCSD. Students may visit ASSIST to see what they are equivalent to at their community college.
* At a community college, this will typically be satisfied by the first two semester "Chemistry for Science and Engineering" courses. Please refer to ASSIST for specific course equivalent information.
Work-In-Progress (WIP)
In accordance with UCSD Admissions policy, coursework completed in Winter/Spring by Fall applicants will be considered Work-In-Progress.
Impacted Majors:
Admitted students that have applied to an oversubscribed major will be further evaluated by the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools. Learn more about admission to oversubscribed engineering majors
Remember that admission to UCSD does not guarantee acceptance to an engineering major.