I`m applying schools like UIUC, Umich, UWashington, and few UCs as a Comp. Sci major.
It says in their website or application that it is highly recommended to choose a second major if I’m applying as a CS. Do I have to really choose one even though I don’t have a good idea of my second major? If that is the case, should I go for easy major that would put me in the school first or should I still go for my interested major (chemical engineering) though it is also competitive?
Thx!
Would you be happy not pursing CS? There are no guarantees that you would be able to transfer from an easier major to CS once you are admitted. My daughter did not down put secondary majors because she would not have attended if she couldn’t pursue her intended major.
I will only address the UC’s. I would select CS as your 1st choice major if that is what you intend to study. If CS is in the Engineering department, the UC’s that consider alternate majors (many do not) will only consider a 2nd choice major outside the Engineering department. Also some UC’s admit into the University first and then into the major, so if you do not select a 2nd choice/alternate major, you could be admitted as Undeclared. Trying to switch into CS later as Undeclared or as a less competitive major can be very difficult.
UCB:
Division (L&S, CNR, CoC, CED, CoE) matters for admission selectivity.
Within CoE (but not the other divisions), major matters for admission selectivity. Changing majors within the CoE after enrolling is not guaranteed, unless one is CoE undeclared.
Note that L&S admits students as undeclared; admission to capped majors (e.g. CS, economics, psychology, ORMS, statistics, art practice, and a few others) is by college GPA in prerequisite courses (and portfolio for art practice) after attending for a few semesters.
UCD:
Admission decisions are made based upon the qualifications of the applicant pool and the number of available spaces within each academic area:
• College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences admits by college
• College of Biological Sciences admits by college
• College of Letters and Science admits by division within the college
• (Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Social Sciences)
• College of Engineering admits by academic department
Students applying as “undeclared” or “undeclared/exploratory” are considered within the college/division to which they applied.
UCI:
UCLA:
For the College of Letters and Science, the applicant’s major is not considered during the review process. The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science admits students by declared major, with more emphasis on science and math programs. The School of Nursing also places more emphasis on science and math programs and requires the submission of an additional supplemental application. The School of the Arts and Architecture; Herb Alpert School of Music; and the School of Theater, Film and Television admit students by declared major (within the school), and put more emphasis on special talents through a review of portfolios and/or auditions, which are the most significant admission factors for these schools.
UCSD:
The campus does not admit students on the basis of academic major or choice of UC San Diego undergraduate college. Alternate majors are considered and capped majors are highly competitive. Also note: Capped majors require additional pre-req courses and specific GPA to be able to qualify if changing majors. Also if applying to a capped major, select an non-capped major as an alternate.
UCSB:
College of Letters and Sciences: Choice of major is not considered in selection to the College of Letters and Science. The exceptions to this rule are dance and music performance majors. Both majors require applicants to complete an audition in late January or early February.
College of Engineering: Students are selected by major for all engineering and computer science majors. Only applicants with a solid background in advanced high school mathematics will be considered for admission to engineering. This includes high grades in all math courses through grade 11 and enrollment in pre-calculus or higher in grade 12. A student not selected for their first choice major will be reviewed for admission to an alternate major outside of the College of Engineering if one was selected.