<p>Would picking undeclared bio as a major for Berkeley hurt my chances of getting in? Are they looking for people who know exactly what they're doing? </p>
<p>It doesn’t matter. I’ve heard multiple admission officers say that they basically pay no attention to intended major because 1) typically half of the students apply undecided and 2) approximately half of the students applying with a major end up changing their minds while they are in college. The only important thing is if you want a specialized course of study (ex. business, engineering, nursing etc.) then you need to apply to that school/program.</p>
<p>If you’re likely to eventually pick a major in the college of Letters & Sciences then whether you state undeclared or not on your application to the College of L&S shouldn’t matter. Some 1/2 of incoming undergraduates are unsure of their eventual major, and of those that are “sure” a significant number change their minds. So the number of incoming freshman who truly “know” what exact career path they’ll take is the minority.</p>
<p>If however you apply and are accepted to the College of Letters & Sciences and then decide to transfer to the College of Chemistry or Engineering, etc. there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved.</p>
<p>So pick the specific UCB college with care.</p>
<p>See: <a href=“University of California Counselors”>University of California Counselors;
<p>It depends on the school.</p>
<p>At Berkeley, choice of division (College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Chemistry, etc.) does matter in terms of admission selectivity (and changing into the more selective division later can be difficult).</p>
<p>Within the College of Letters and Science, all frosh applicants are considered together, and all enter as undeclared (though indicated major on the application may affect the tailoring of frosh advising for course selection). Within the College of Engineering, each major has a different level of selectivity; undeclared in the College of Engineering may be among the most selective, but allows the student to later declare a College of Engineering major without having to apply to change major.</p>
<p>Other schools will be different, so check each school for details.</p>
<p>I agree with the above poster, it depends on the school. </p>
<p>Are you applying to other selective colleges, like the Ivies? According to Michele Hernandez, a former Dartmouth admissions officer, your choice of major could have a small impact on your likelihood of admission. Colleges don’t want 1,000 potential bio majors or economics majors. What about other fields like Italian and the Classics?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t lie about your major. It probably won’t get you denied. Colleges know that students change their majors all the time.</p>