Can you switch majors in order to raise chance of admission?

I really want to be a double major for Math and Computer Science in college, but I’m afraid some schools will not admit me if I apply as a primary CS major because in high school I was much stronger at mathematics. Should I apply as a Math major in order to raise my chance of being accepted and then turn around and possible switch to CS or even major in both? I really want to become a CS major but is this route of changing my major and then switching worth it?

Instead of gaming the system, look at colleges where changing majors, adding minors or going double/triple major isn’t an issue and they don’t admit undergraduates by the major but by their ability to be a valuable addition to their learning community.

It really depends upon the school. It’s extremely difficult at some schools; you have to formally apply and the standards are high and the odds not good. At others, it’s easy peasy.

Your idea is hardly original. Here are the three scenarios:

  1. Colleges that accept students into the college as a whole - For these schools your projected major doesn’t matter as admissions officers understand that students are free to select any major once they get into the school.

  2. Colleges that accept students into a particular school (like b-school, engineering, nursing, liberal arts etc.) - For these schools internal transfers can be difficult especially if you want to move from a less competitive branch of the school to a more competitive branch of the school. IMO you are best off applying to the school that houses the major you are interested in pursuing or you could be stuck with a major you are not interested in.

  3. Colleges that accept students into a particular major - Again, internal transfers to competitive majors such as CS can be very difficult. If you go this route (which I do not suggest) you need to be fully prepared to spend your four undergrad years studying whatever major you have been accepted to the college with.

Im not trying to say my idea is original or not, but what if I want to double major in math and CS? Im way stronger in math than I am in CS in high school so if I apply to be a math major, can I still have good chances of double majoring with CS once Im in college?

Depends upon the colleges you are applying if doing a double major in Math and CS is possible. Check out how or if you can declare a double major in Math and CS.

CS is more selective at some colleges because it is full. If you enroll in some other major or undeclared and try to add or switch to CS, you may need a very high college GPA and or competitive admission to get into the few remaining spots in CS.