<p>So I've heard it's difficult to get into Berkeley with a bioengineering major ... but I don't understand, couldn't people just declare a different engineering major when they're applying, then switch majors once they're in?</p>
<p>No, engineering majors at Berkeley are impacted. Your method could work if you apply as engineering undeclared, although getting into Cal this way is harder than getting into BioE.</p>
<p>I'm a current sophomore in BioE at Cal, PM me if you want any information about it.</p>
<p>^yup</p>
<p>and Berkeley's BioE is just embarrassingly bad. Utter **** I would say </p>
<p>from a current BioE student at Berkeley.</p>
<p>Yeah, I almost got into BioE. My dad kept suggesting it, but I said no after some thought. You will almost need a Masters degree. Stay away from it. I agree with s1185 about how most companies are looking for different type of engineers (Chemical, Mechanical, EEs, CEs, CS) that work together on a product.</p>
<p>For example, at Intuitive Surgical (company that produces robots for surgical use) are looking mostly for those popular engineering majors that I listed above. They may have a few biologists/chemists and whatever, but most of the work will be done by the specialized mechanical, chemical, electrical, and computer engineers. They are the ones building the robots. They are the ones building the prosthetics. They are the one building the software programs to control these things. Etc Etc Etc Etc.... you get my point.</p>