I’m an incoming HS senior, and I don’t really understand the admissions processes to UCs, especially for pre-med, which is the path i’m considering to take. I have an interest in UCSD, but I’m not entirely sure what the whole “early decision” process looks like, or if you apply to UCs, do you have to select like a specific major or program? And if so, is going the typical bio major route too risky?
UC’s do not have early decision. The application is submitted during November and decisions are posted in March. Top applicants can hear earlier than March but the majority are given their decisions in March.
You can select an Undeclared major, but depending upon your interests, it is best to select a specific major (especially competitive majors like Engineering/Biology/Psychology) along with an alternative major as a backup. Some UC campuses will consider your alternate major and some will not.
Most UC’s admit by major into specific colleges such as Engineering. Some UC’s admit into the University first and then into your major (UCSD/UCSC) so you can get accepted into a UC but not into your specific major. Trying to change into a competitive major later after an acceptance can be problematic for many of the UC’s.
My advice is always try to get a direct admit if you have a specific major in mind.
For Pre-med you can major in anything as long as you take the required Pre-med courses needed to apply to Medical school. Always have a backup plan if going Pre-Med.
From what I know each UC can be a bit different. You should go to each UC campus website and read each school’s separate policy about Freshman admissions. My perspective is based on my S’s experience in 2016 as a biology major. I am not aware of any UC “early decision” accept for top students who receive Regent Scholarships. Regents are selected based on the standard application everyone submits (no separate application or early application).
You don’t have to select a specific major as you can put ‘undeclared’. When you ask “too risky”, not sure if you mean to gain admissions to undergrad or medical school. For medical school, I’ve read major does not matter as long as an applicant completes the pre-requisites and has stellar GPA. MCATs, etc.
- UCSB - Choice of major is not considered in selection to the College of Letters and Science. S was accepted a pre-biology into College of L&S
- UCD - S was accepted directly into College of Biological Sciences.
- UCSD - The campus does not select students on the basis of academic major or choice of UCSD undergraduate college. From what I understand, once accepted your admission will be either direct admit into major or pre-major. My son was offered admission directly into biology, but some of his friend's were accepted as pre-biology majors.
- UCLA - For freshmen applying to a major in UCLA's College of Letters and Science (L&S), choice of major will neither enhance nor diminish their prospects for admission. S applied biology and is on a biology track but has not officially declared. I think he will declare sometime during sophomore year.
As stated by @svlab112: How a UC admits depends on each specific school.
Again you do not have to be a Biology major to pursue Pre-Med. Whichever major you do pursue, make sure that it is a viable alternative if you do not get into Medical school. A BS degree in Biology is not very helpful in the job market, so you need an advanced degree to make a decent living.
Here is an example of how UCD admits Freshman:
*College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences admits by college.
*College of Biological Sciences admits by college.
*College of Engineering admits by academic department and major.
*College of Letters and Science admits by three divisions: Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematical and Physical Sciences; and Social Sciences.