Applying to the U.S. do I apply with a major or without

[b_r_um]

<p>From the Berkeley Bulletin:</p>

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In some colleges, students are admitted directly into a major program. …</p>

<p>Some majors are capped: they cannot accommodate all interested students. If you are drawn to a capped major, it is particularly important to consult with the major adviser early on to maximize your chances of being chosen, and to have a non-capped major in mind as a second option.</p>

<p>Regulations and procedures for declaring the major, or changing your major, vary by college. In general, you will be expected to choose a major by the end of your sophomore year.

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<p>So it seems to depend on the college within the university whether the major you stated on your application matters. Prospective engineering majors are admitted directly to the major stated on their application for admission: </p>

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Prospective undergraduates to the College of Engineering will apply for admission to a specific program from one of the following: Bioengineering; Civil Engineering; Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences; Energy Engineering; Engineering Mathematics and Statistics; Engineering Physics; Engineering Undeclared (freshman applicants only); Environmental Engineering Science; Industrial Engineering and Operations Research; Materials Science and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; or Nuclear Engineering.

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<p><a href=“Admissions - Berkeley Engineering”>http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/prospective-students/admissions.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Prospective business majors need to complete 60 academic units at another college before they may apply for admission to the business school: <a href=“Admissions - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas”>Admissions - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas;

<p>Students admitted the College of Letters and Arts have until their third year to declare a major: <a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/major/declare.html”>http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/major/declare.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Long story short, yes it matters which major you state on your application. If you are unsure about your major right now, select the major on your application strategically. For example, if you were undecided between an engineering major and a science major, apply to the engineering major because it will be much easier to switch from engineering to science than vice versa. On the other hand, if you are undecided between sociology and psychology, don’t sweat it: both majors would get you admitted as undeclared to the College of Letters and Science. </p>

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I’m wondering for U.S. uni’s do I have to apply to the uni with my intended major? Or do I apply to the university without letting them know my preferred major?

Generally speaking, all colleges will ask you about your intended major on your application. At larger universities that choice usually matters because it determines which college of the university you are admitted to, and it may be difficult or impossible to switch colleges later. At smaller schools (especially liberal arts colleges) your choice may matter less because all students may start out as undecided. </p>