<p>I've been doing some research since UCB would easily be in my top 5 choices, and I read online that Economics is a 'restricted major' requiring a 'backup path'. </p>
<p>It says I have to apply after a certain amount of coursework... Does this mean I can get rejected? What exactly do they mean by 'restricted major'? </p>
<p>Isn't it technically possible to get into UCB, but then not be permitted to major in what you want?</p>
<p>Can someone please clarify? Thanks!</p>
<p>PS- Also would be OOS student/applicant, if that has any effect...</p>
<p>I’m also an OOS intended Econ/Environmental Econ major. I’m only a first-year so I don’t know a lot about it, but I’m in a similar situation. I didn’t apply as an econ major. My understanding is that, for capped majors, you have to go in as undecided and then declare during sophomore year. Both Econ and Environmental Econ are capped majors, which mean that you need a minimum GPA to even apply for the major. I’ve heard that most of the time if you meet the prereq and GPA requirements, you’re in. I guess there are cases when you’re not, if you don’t have the requirements…I’m not sure about the circumstances where someone would get rejected even if they have all of these things I’ve mentioned. But either way, that’s why you need a backup, because it’s a popular major.</p>
<p>Yes. If you did not meet the GPA requirements, or did not fulfill any part of the pre-requisites when you apply for the major, you’ll be rejected. </p>
<p>Restricted/capped majors just have more stringent requirements than non-impacted majors because they are usually more popular and it’s not feasible to let everyone into that major. Higher requirements are usually in the form of higher minimum GPA. [Econ</a> Prospective Majors Info here.](<a href=“http://www.econ.berkeley.edu/econ/ugrad/prospective.shtml]Econ”>Applying to the Economics Major | Department of Economics) </p>
<p>When you apply to the College of Letters & Science which is where most of the majors are, you are not guaranteed a place in that major. Everyone in L&S comes in as undeclared freshman year. You have to complete the coursework for your intended major before you can declare it (usually in your sophomore year). If you do not meet the GPA cutoff or the pre-reqs, you get rejected.</p>
<p>Note that only a few majors in L&S are capped and require applying with a high GPA or other criteria to declare (marked with #)</p>
<p>[Office</a> of Undergraduate Advising: List of Majors](<a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/major/majorlist.html]Office”>http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/major/majorlist.html)</p>
<p>Note that difficulty of getting admitted to the major is not necessarily the same as difficulty of the major itself.</p>
<p>Changing from L&S to a major in other divisions like the College of Engineering, College of Chemistry, College of Natural Resources, College of Environmental Design, or School of Business also requires applying to do so.</p>
<p>Restricted just means that you need a 3.0 in major courses as opposed to a 2.0 
But you’re getting less than a 3.0 in a major, you probably shouldn’t major in that…</p>
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<p>So… that’s it? Take the prereq courses and get a 3.0 in them? That sounds fairly straightforward… I mean, assuming I miraculously get into UCB, take the prereq. courses, get a 3.0, I’m nearly GUARANTEED that major?</p>
<p>Yes pretty much. But different majors have different requirements. For Econ, the GPA requirement is 3.0 for prereqs, but for majors like ORMS, it’s higher. Take a look at the link ucbalumnus posted to get a better idea of the prereqs.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! Appreciate the great responses… Look forward to applying to and perhaps maybe even attending a college of the caliber of UC Berkeley!</p>
<p>what’s the gpa requirement for mcb or ib? if all prereqs are completed</p>
<p>For IB, a 2.0 minimum for the pre-reqs and a 2.0 minimum maintained for the upper division courses to finish the degree after you are in the major. [Requirements</a> for UCB students admitted as freshmen](<a href=“http://ib.berkeley.edu/undergrad/major/freshman.php]Requirements”>Freshman Admits to Cal | Integrative Biology)</p>
<p>For MCB, 2.0 minimum for the pre-reqs, a 2.0 overall GPA minimum and a 2.0 gpa in any upper division courses for the major in order to declare, then a 2.0 minimum gpa in the major to finish/graduate. [Frequently</a> Asked Questions](<a href=“http://mcb.berkeley.edu/undergrad/advising/advising-office/faqs/]Frequently”>Frequently Asked Questions | Molecular and Cell Biology)</p>