Are alternate majors only considered if space is available?

I saw that Cal Poly SLO and Pomona allow you to select an alternate major. Are alternate majors only considered if space is available? For example, if my D selects Animal Science as her first choice at SLO and Dairy Science as her 2nd choice, and she does not get into Animal Science, would she only be considered for Dairy Science if space is available? (Or would she be on equal footing with all that chose Dairy Science as their 1st choice?)

SLO rarely considers alternate majors but since Dairy Science is not a competitive major, then it is possible they could accept her into that major if she does not get into Animal Science.

CPP does consider alternate majors and they will accept into a non-impacted major if there is room and the applicant meets that major EI threshold.

Neither school guarantees that the alternate majors will be considered in the application process but it does not hurt to select an alternate major.

@Gumbymom Thanks! You are always a big help!
Is Animal Science more competitive than Dairy Science at Cal Poly? (I was thinking that Animal Science would be, because I understand SLO is a feeder program for the UC Davis Vet school, and I’m guessing most applicants would pick Animal Science)

Based on SLO projections, Animal Science has around a 37% acceptance rate and Dairy Science around a 90% acceptance rate. Dairy science is definitely less competitive.