Change of Major

[Bulldogmom74]

Our DS is considering changing his major and was wondering if this is best to pursue now, or to wait until after he reports. He hasn't been very successful reaching his AO (I'm sure they are VERY busy right now!).
Any suggestions are appreciated

 

[ekb1398]

I would pursue now, if he can. There's not generally a great time to do that during swab summer. What's he planning on changing from and to? If it's a technical to non-technical, they may not be too receptive to the major change.

 

[ProudMom7]

Recently, USCGA switched to having three Academic Schools: 1) Engineering and Cyber 2) Science Mathematics, and Humanities 3) Leadership and Management. If he wants to switch to a different major in the same school, then it will probably be very straight forward. However, I'm not sure of the exact process.

First semester is mostly the same for all 4/c though. Most cadets end up taking 1 class specific to their major in their second semester. Otherwise, everyone is taking the same STEM heavy required classes. So while it would be ideal to go ahead and ask to change now, it probably won't make much of a difference if he has to wait until the end of swab summer.

 

[Bulldogmom74]

I would pursue now, if he can. There's not generally a great time to do that during swab summer. What's he planning on changing from and to? If it's a technical to non-technical, they may not be too receptive to the major change.

NAME to Management. I've definitely seen enough threads to know that this might be impossible. I'm hoping he can get through to his AO to discuss soon.

 

[Bulldogmom74]

Recently, USCGA switched to having three Academic Schools: 1) Engineering and Cyber 2) Science Mathematics, and Humanities 3) Leadership and Management. If he wants to switch to a different major in the same school, then it will probably be very straight forward. However, I'm not sure of the exact process.

First semester is mostly the same for all 4/c though. Most cadets end up taking 1 class specific to their major in their second semester. Otherwise, everyone is taking the same STEM heavy required classes. So while it would be ideal to go ahead and ask to change now, it probably won't make much of a difference if he has to wait until the end of swab summer.

OK. This makes sense. Thank you!

 

[momofusna1]

My daughter was able to change her major during CAP week, which is after SWAB summer, but before the academic year begins. She switched from Management to Operations Research, which tends to be an easier switch then TO management. I'd have him reach out now, just to be safe

 

[Bulldogmom74]

My daughter was able to change her major during CAP week, which is after SWAB summer, but before the academic year begins. She switched from Management to Operations Research, which tends to be an easier switch then TO management. I'd have him reach out now, just to be safe

As I mentioned, he has had a difficult time reaching his AO. In light of that, would you think he should reach out to the admissions office in general?

 

[lanyc2026]

As I mentioned, he has had a difficult time reaching his AO. In light of that, would you think he should reach out to the admissions office in general?

It can't hurt to reach out to the general admissions office! My cadet successfully changed his major during his second semester. For some reason I have heard that it is very hard to change TO Management for a variety of reasons but I can't tell if that is the reality or just heresay

 

[ProudMom7]

It can't hurt to reach out to the general admissions office! My cadet successfully changed his major during his second semester. For some reason I have heard that it is very hard to change TO Management for a variety of reasons but I can't tell if that is the reality or just heresay

Management and Government are the only two non-STEM majors (although 4/c year is STEM heavy for all majors). According to my cadet (and most of her friends....including those who are Government and Management majors) those 2 majors also generally have a lot less homework. I'm sure there are individual classes that are the exception, but overall that is the case. It is not uncommon for cadets to request to switch to one of these two majors if they are struggling academically, in order to take fewer STEM courses and to better handle the workload.

And of course, there are many cadets who chose the Management and Government majors because that really is the area they are most interested in and who are doing exceptionally well.

 

[Bulldogmom74]

We will see what unfolds. He is interested in engineering for sure, so if no change happens, it's ok. But upon further reflection, he feels that potentially the Management track may suit his interests more than he realized previously. He is on his path and learning as he goes

 

[FriendlyPerspective]

Our DS is considering changing his major and was wondering if this is best to pursue now, or to wait until after he reports. He hasn't been very successful reaching his AO (I'm sure they are VERY busy right now!).
Any suggestions are appreciated

Do you remember if he selected Management as his second choice of major in his application to CGA? I’m not sure if it is still a question on the application, but it definitely solidified a few decisions on granting a change of major request if a cadet had put Management as their second choice major. The main difference between the two majors first semester is that all engineering majors are required to take a notoriously difficult statics class their first year. Otherwise the classes are very similar 4/c year.

 

[Offshore]

Cadet perspective here. So MGT and GOVT are traditionally called the fall back majors at CGA. I know of a 4/c in my company that was able to switch from NA&ME to GOVT this spring. But it took him all year to switch and he had to provide a really good reason to switch. His poor grades in technical classes actually helped his case to switch majors. I am not telling your DS to get bad grades because that would hurt him later down the line but that is what happened for the one 4/c in my company. However, I do know of a 1/c in my company that tried to switch from NA&ME to MES when he was a 4/c. He was not allowed. He was very smart and the faculty simply did not allow him to leave engineering. They let him switch to Mechanical. He said he regretted his decision switching to Mechanical. But he is graduating next month with an awesome billet to an FRC in Hawaii...so I guess it worked out in the end. For reference, I am a NA&ME major. I love my major, faculty, and classmates. Don't get me wrong, NA&ME is extremely challenging and 3/c fall semester, I almost considered trying to switch to MES. But I am so glad I stayed. Let me know if you need any more insight about majors, switching majors, or anything else academic.