For a while I have known I wanted to do something math related, but I am not sure what. I am deciding between engineering( probably mechanical) and economics. Since I am not sure yet, I am considering applying to the UCs and putting mechanical engineering as my first choice major and Economics as my alternate major. I am wondering if this is possible since economics is generally in the college of Letters and Science and Mechanical engineering is in the college of engineering, which has a much lower acceptance rate. If I put Mechanical Engineering as my first choice major and am not accepted into it, can I still be considered for economics in L&S just as if I had applied like any other applicant, or will I either be accepted into engineering or rejected outright? If the latter is true I’m not sure I want to apply to engineering.
Not all UC’s consider alternate majors so if your 1st choice is ME then definitely apply as that major. Much easier to move down from Engineering than up.
Here is how the UC’s admit Freshman applicants:
UC admission by major:
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 ads 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.
The business major is in a separate division and admits students in a competitive holistic process. Frosh intending business majors begin in another division (usually L&S), take the business major prerequisites, and apply (usually in their second years). They also need to take prerequisites for a backup major in case they are not admitted to the business major.
All students who apply to UC Berkeley and select a major within the College of Natural Resources are evaluated based on their application, not on the particular major they select.
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:
- Freshman Selection:
UCI admits into the University first and then into the major. In the case that UCI is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants in their first-choice major, those students who indicate a valid alternate major may be offered admission in that major or Undeclared.
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.
College of Creative Studies:
Applicants to the College of Creative Studies submit a supplementary application in addition to the general UC Application, which is reviewed by Creative Studies faculty. Students are selected within Creative Studies majors only. Applicants not selected for Creative Studies will automatically be considered for admission to the College of Letters and Science.
UCSC:
Important Note for Prospective Engineering Students: Choice of major does not influence the selection of first-year students, except for those applicants interested in a major offered by the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE). Freshmen who are interested in a BSOE program should be sure to indicate a BSOE proposed major. Students who do not indicate a BSOE program or who apply as undeclared might not be able to pursue a BSOE program.
UCR:
Admission by major but alternate/2nd choice major will be considered if applicant does not need their first choice admission standards.
For Business: Freshmen students must apply to Pre-Business under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS). The College breadth requirements and the prerequisites for a Business major are completed during the freshman and sophomore years. An application is submitted at the end of the sophomore year. Upon acceptance, students become Business majors and are then advised in the Business Department. Students from any academic major may also complete a Business minor.
@Gumbymom So it sounds like at UCSD, UCSB, UCI, and UCR, it is possible to put Mechanical Engineering as a first choice major without it affecting my chances of getting into a different undeclared major at the same school as long as I put it as an alternate major. I wasn’t sure if it was possible at UCD and UCSC based on your description of them. Is it possible at those schools to apply to an engineering major as my first choice but an L&S major as my second choice?
UCD doesn’t consider alternate majors. You either get into your first choice or you do not get in at all.
For UCSC, if you want ME you have to apply directly. If not admitted, they will consider your alternate major.
@Gumbymom Really, but on the UC Application, it allows my to select an alternate major for UC Davis.
Yes, alternate major is available for UCD but they rarely consider them. Still select a 2nd choice since their policies could change.
@Gumbymom After going a little more research, I found out that UC Davis actually recommends putting liberal arts or L&S as a alternate if you want to apply for engineering.
Yes, UCD does state to pick an L&S major as an alternate, but they also state they “occasionally” consider alternate majors instead of “rarely” as I quoted.