Freshman Students | Transfer Students | General Questions
Exceptional Admission
1. When will applications be reviewed/ What are the deadlines to apply?
There will be two application periods each year. The application will be open for two weeks only. Please plan accordingly!
Winter: The application deadline will be Friday of 1st week, by 4:00pm.
Spring: The application deadline will be Friday of 10th week, by 4:00pm.
2. If the deadline has passed, can I still apply?
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted or reviewed for that application period. If students missed a deadline, they may apply during the subsequent application period provided the student has not completed more than six quarters at UCSD.
3. How will applications be reviewed? What criteria will be used to review my application?
Applications will be evaluated based on academic excellence. Students must have (a) completed at least one year/three quarters in residence at UCSD (b) completed all lower division requirements for the requested major. Students will be ranked based on overall UCSD GPA and admitted according to rank. Students who have completed more than six full quarters at UCSD will not be considered.
Note: Students who meet the criteria for Exceptional Admission will be given priority to the requested biology major. Space permitting, students who do not meet the criteria may also be considered for admission to the requested biology major.
4. Is there a time limit on when students may apply?
Yes, students who have completed more than six full quarters at UCSD (i.e., students who apply later than the final day of their sixth academic quarter at UCSD) will not be considered.
5. If I submit an application during spring quarter of my freshman year, and I take summer classes, will those classes be considered when reviewing my application?
No, if a freshman student submits an application for exceptional admission during spring quarter, only grades from fall, winter and spring will be considered. Future course work will not be considered when applications are reviewed.
6. What is the timeline for reviewing my application once it has been submitted?
The committee will strive to complete the review of all applications in a timely manner. Students can expect to hear a decision between 3-6 weeks after the application deadline.
7. What is the average GPA I need to apply?
There is no GPA requirement in order to apply. After all applications are received, each will be reviewed and ranked according to GPA, past performance and course plan.
8. I've taken a lower division course for a biology major at another institution, but the course has not posted to my academic history. Must it be posted by the time I apply for Exceptional Admission? Yes. Any course required to meet the minimum criteria for Exceptional Admission will be seen as deficient until posted on the academic history.
9. If my application is approved, how do I change my major? How will I be notified if my application is approved?
Applicants will be notified via the VAC (Virtual Advising Center) after all applications have been reviewed. Upon notification, students may submit their Change of Major on-line via TritonLink. Biology Student & Instructional Services will then approve the change of major.
10. If my application is denied, can I re-apply? Can I re-apply a different quarter, or does that mean I can never apply again?
All decisions for that application period are final and may not be reviewed or petitioned further. If students are denied, they may reapply for a subsequent application period. Please keep in mind that students must complete no more than six quarters at UCSD to apply.
11. If my application is denied, can I petition to declare a biology major?
No, all decisions are final. There is no appeals process. Students are encouraged to provide enough information during the initial application period for the committee to make an informed decision.
12. Biology is the only major that interests me. What should I do if my application is denied?
If a students application is denied, the student must select another major, outside of the Division of Biological Sciences, to pursue. There are many science and biology related majors on campus such as Environmental Systems, Biochemistry/Chemistry, and Biological Anthropology.
Students are strongly encouraged to contact their college advisor for further direction.
13. I want to attend Medical School, but was not admitted as a Biology major, what do I do?
Admission to medical school is not dependent upon the academic major of an applicant, but rather on overall academic excellence, completion of required course work and other criteria as specified by the specific medical school. For further information, please visit the Association of American Medical Colleges.
14. Is it possible to find out how many "spaces" are open before I apply?
This is entirely dependent upon student retention within the academic year. The number of available slots will vary but the division has been authorized by the Academic Senate to admit 150 students per year.
15. While I'm waiting for my application to be reviewed, how should I plan my schedule?
For winter applicants: your application should be reviewed prior to your enrollment time for spring quarter. You should know before you register for spring whether or not you will be admitted to a biology major.
For spring applicants: because the spring application period will be dependent upon spring grades, students will need to register for fall courses before a final decision has been made regarding admittance into the biology major. It is strongly suggested that students balance their schedule to include both major and general education courses.
16. If I was admitted before fall 2009 can I switch into Biology at any time?
Beginning fall 2009, regardless of entry date, all non-biology majors wishing to pursue a biology major must adhere to the exceptional admission process.
17. Will there be a wait list to get into the major? If someone drops the major and I'm next in line, will I be admitted?
No. Space may be open during the next review/application cycle. Students may apply during the subsequent application period.
Freshman Students
1. Will UC San Diego admit freshman Biology majors during fall and winter quarters?
No, UCSD will only admit new biology freshman, via the UC application process, during fall quarter. Freshman may be admitted to UCSD (not biology) during winter quarter.
2. If I declare a biology major on my application but am not admitted, does this mean I am not admitted to UC San Diego at all?
A student must indicate via the UC application that they want to be considered for admittance to a biology major at UC San Diego. If a student is not admitted to a biology major, they could be admitted to UC San Diego in a second choice major or as undeclared.
3. If I am a freshman student admitted to UCSD as a non-biology major, can I switch to Biology?
Any student admitted as a freshman to UCSD can apply for Exceptional Admission. For details, please read the faq's above and also visit the Exceptional Admission web page.
Transfer Students
1. Will UC San Diego admit transfer Biology majors during fall, winter and spring quarters?
No, UCSD will only admit new transfer students, via the UC application process, during fall quarter.
2. If I declare a biology major on my application but am not admitted, does this mean I am not admitted to UC San Diego at all?
A student must indicate via the UC application that they want to be considered for admittance to a biology major at UC San Diego. If a student is not admitted to a biology major, they could be admitted to UC San Diego in a second choice major.
3. If I'm a transfer student admitted to UCSD as another major, can I switch to Biology?
Transfer students admitted to UCSD as a non-biology major may be considered for Exceptional Admissions.
Transfer students are not encouraged for follow this route. The Exceptional Admission process requires students to complete at least one year/three quarters in residence at UCSD. Transfer students that are admitted to UCSD as a non-biology major would be at a distinct disadvantage if applying for Exceptional Admission after an entire year at UCSD. Transfer students wishing to apply for Exceptional Admission will likely delay the date to graduation.
General Questions
1. Can students transfer out of the major and then get back in?
Transferring within biology majors: Once a declared Biology major, students may transfer within biology majors as they wish.
Transferring out and back into biology majors: Students who transfer out of an impacted major may transfer back, one time only without meeting the full requirements of Exceptional Admission, provided they are in good academic standing. Note: Students must be a declared biology major before fall 2009. If a student was previously a biology major, but was declared a different major as of the begining of fall 2009, that student would have to go through the Exceptional Admission process. (Example: student was a biology major winter 2008, changed to chemistry spring 2009 and remained chemistry as of fall 2009. That student, if they wished to switch back to biology, would have to go through the Exceptional Admissions processes since they were not declared a biology major as of fall 2009).
2. Can I double major with biology as one of my major choices?
If a student is already a biology major, you may double major by following the double major application process. If a student was admitted to UCSD as non-biology major, the student must follow the Exceptional Admission process. Please read the information above regarding this process.
3. Can I minor in biology or do I have to follow the Exceptional Admission process?
In order to minor in biology, you do not have to follow the Exceptional Admission process. Please read the information regarding the Biology minor.
4. Can I enroll in biology courses even if I'm not a declared biology major?
Yes, as long as students have the prerequisites for a biology course, they may enroll. Biology courses are not restricted to biology majors.
Enrollment Management Homepage
If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact Biology Student & Instructional Services at (858) 534-0557.
