New to this forum but I feel like this thread will help me narrow down on what I should do next.

I just got accepted to the University of Illinois - @ Champaign. The problem is I really wanted to get in to the Engineering Program but got a Technical Systems Management Program instead (College of ACES). I'm definitely going for sure, but I still want to try to get in Engineering because if anyone knows its probably one of the best in the country.

Does anyone know if I can go undeclared major my first semester and try to reapply for the spring semester? I kind of want to go this route because I don't want to major in TSM but if I have to then I guess I will.

Also, if I do go in to TSM I will start off as a sophomore instead of a freshman because I have transfer credit hours in TSM. The reason why I have credit hours in this is because I just got out of the Air Force and there wasn't that much variety when it came to majoring in anything. I just wanted to take core classes but I had to declare a degree. So I don't really care about the money because its free.

Opinions on if I should just major in TSM or reapply for engineering?

You can prob go undeclared, but going undeclared at U of I is actually called DGS (Division of General Studies). I'd prob just go as whatever you got accepted as and do an intercollege transfer to the engineering program. The only problem may be that you are a sophomore, so it might not be as easy.

If you are going as a sophomore, what types of classes have you taken?

I would only reapply if I was 100% sure I wouldn't get totally shut out of going there. It's getting pretty late at this point so check into that.

It seems like it would be hard to get transfered into that program, I know it's very competitive to switch into high-demand majors even if you are already accepted into the school.

Whatever you do, I strongly recommend busting your ass your freshman year and making sure you get good grades. It's much easier freshman and soph year anyway and getting good grades gets you on the right track for internships and whatever program switching you may eventually do. A lot of people used to tell me that grades don't matter in college, but they are wrong -- get good ones.

Good luck and enjoy U of I, it was some of the best four years of my life.