• Changing into CAFES
• Changing out of CAFES
• Choosing Your Major

Deciding on what major to pursue can be a confusing issue. Since you had to make a choice to be accepted into Cal Poly, you may now be trying to figure out if you chose the right one. Or you may already know that you really want a different major, but are unsure as to how to proceed. In this section, we give you some general information on changing into and out of the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences and also a section on how you might explore which major is best for you.

Changing Majors Into/Within the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences

Click on the following links to review the change-of-major policy for the major in which you are interested.

Agribusiness (AGB) Department
Agricultural Business (AGB)

Agricultural Education & Communication (AGED) Department
Agricultural Science (AGSC)

Animal Science (ASCI) Department
Animal Science (ASCI)

BioResource & Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) Department
Agricultural Systems Management (ASM)
BioResource & Agricultural Engineering (BRAE)

Horticulture & Crop Science (HCS) Department
Crop Science (CRSC)
Environmental Horticulture Science (EHS)
Fruit Science (FRSC)

Dairy Science (DSCI) Department
Dairy Science (DSCI)

Earth & Soil Science (ERSS) Department
Earth Sciences (ERSC)
Soil Science Soil Science (SS)

Food Science & Nutrition (FSN) Department
Food Science (FDSC)
Nutrition (NUTR)

Natural Resources Management (NRM) Department
Environmental Management & Protection (ENVM)
Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Recreation Parks & Tourism Administration (REC)

If you are currently in one of the majors in the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences and have decided to change to a major outside of this college, these are the steps to take:

• Contact the major that you want to enter and find out what the requirements are.
• If you feel that you will be able to meet these requirements in a reasonable amount of time (three quarters), meet with your current department head to negotiate the terms of being able to pursue a different curriculum.
• If you feel it will be difficult to meet the requirements, develop an alternate plan. (See section on Choosing a Major) What would your second choice major be?
• Once you begin to take classes for the other major, department office will send you a letter requiring that you make a contract to pursue the new major. The contract will specify a deadline for when you must be accepted into the new major.
• After you have met the requirements for the new major or have been notified by them that you will be accepted, you can process the Change of Major form.

As a Cal Poly student, you were required to choose a major when you applied. After giving your major a try, you may be rethinking your initial decision. But how do you go about testing whether you have made the right decision for you? And if you haven't, what can you do to make a better decision this next time?

Are you in the right major for you?

Sometimes students give up on their major before they have given themselves a chance to test it out. During your first quarter, you are adjusting to college life, new roommates, the increased amount of studying, and many other things. It is like a roller coaster ride----lots of ups and downs, plenty of quick turns, numerous adrenaline rushes, and no time to reflect on what is happening.

It is important to sort out your thoughts about your major from these other adjustment issues. Don't assume that because you didn't do as well as you should academically, or because you thought your first major class was difficult, that this major is not for you. Many other factors could be affecting your performance.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Even if I didn't do well in my major class(es), did I like the subject material? Was I interested in learning about it?
2. When I look through my curriculum, are there many classes that I am excited about taking? Do they look interesting?
3. Are there career options with my major for which I am particularly suited?

If you answered "Yes" to these questions then you are probably in the right major, but just need help in other areas---like study skills, time management, procrastination, etc. Talk with an advisor to address what is causing you difficulty.

If you answered "No" to these questions, you probably want to research other majors. What is the best way to do this? Here are some suggestions:

1. Spend time researching various careers. Career Services has a very comprehensive web page to help you with career exploration.
2. Choose a major based on interest. If there is a subject or area that you have always liked or been good at, this is an indication that you have an aptitude in that area. You don't always have to start with a career first and then work back to the appropriate major. Sometimes it makes sense to start from what you like to do and then, as you become involved in the subject, the career direction will become more obvious.
3. Read the descriptions of all the majors in the Cal Poly catalog. As you read up on the majors that Cal Poly offers, there will probably be several that appeal to you and that you want to find out more about. Once you have your short list of possible majors, you can focus your attention on finding out more about them.