I am an incoming freshman this fall (batch of 2028) admitted for Materials Science and Engineering. My plan was to get admitted and then switch to Computer Science.

However, I’m worried I’ll have to do another year of Chemistry and Physics.

To my knowledge, you need to complete ICS 31, 32, 33 to be eligible to switch (one of the requirements). But the classes are usually very hard to get, especially for someone not in the ICS school.

I have a few questions exploring ways to switch to CS as soon as possible. I would be really grateful if someone could answer these for me.

1. If I am unable to get ICS 31 right away, will I have to wait for the next quarter or would it be possible to get in later in the first quarter?

2. If I do get it in the first quarter, right away or later, will I have to wait for the next quarter to take ICS 32 or could I finish ICS 31 and take ICS 32 in the first quarter itself (ICS 31 is a prerequisite for 32)

3. There is an exam you can give over the summer for ICS 31. However, it says that it will be restricted to students of the ICS school only. By that logic I wouldn’t be able to take that exam but last year, apparently, they had opened it to all students. Is it possible they might do this again? If anyone knows about what happened last year, could you explain what made them open it last year and not this year please?

4. As the main issue is with getting ICS 31, is it possible in any other way to get ICS 32 directly?

I’m just hoping I don’t have to wait for the second quarter to get ICS 31, third quarter for ICS 32, first quarter as sophomore for ICS 33, and then the second quarter as sophomore to switch to CS.

Basically I want to know how can I switch to CS asap.

Would really appreciate any help or guidance on this topic. Please let me know if anyone has any views or a similar experience.