I was deferred from UPenn. However, I wanted to study computer science, which is very competitive. So I was thinking: Would I have had a better chance of getting in if I chose a non-competitive major?
@grapist No. An applicant to a specific school (SEAS, CAS, Wharton, Nursing) has the same chances no matter what major/concentration he indicates since this is not binding. So you say you applied to SEAS and indicated computer science. if you get in then nothing stops you from changing your intended major from comp sci to say bioengineering and vice versa. You are admitted to SEAS in general and then are free to pick any major within SEAS you want, except for the NETS ad VIPER programs which are specialized programs and need an additional separate application.
Respectfully disagree with Penn95. When my son was applying, he was deciding between the DMD major and Fine Arts (for animation). We contacted the DMD coordinator, and at first glance, she said that it’s not harder to get into one major/school over another. However, when my son shared his weaker grades in math and shared about his math disability, she definitely said to apply where you have the greater strengths,and in his case, that was Fine Arts. My son never would have gotten in as a DMD major, but he was admitted as a Fine Arts major (even though he had a really weak fine arts supplement-just a few weak animated videos and stills, but he also had a strong cello supplement). I absolutely think if your application backs up a less popular major, you should apply to that. My son can always apply to move into the DMD major at the end of freshman year, though I think he’s now leaning towards the Cinema major. We’ll see.
@sbjdorio i think what you are describing is different than what i am or what the OP is describing. The two majors you mention require a different background, set of skills in that for DMD you do need to have a strong math/science background as you do for all other SEAS majors. The fine arts major is in CAS , not SEAS, and is less technical. what i am describing is that for a candidate with the appropriate background to apply to SEAS, it will not make a difference if he designates say mechanical or computer science as his intended major, because one might be in some way more popular than the other. Once they get accepted to SEAS people can change majors freely (apart from the majors that require a very specific skill set, like DMD–you need to show a portfolio etc). If anything, when applying people should indicate interest in the major they truly want because chances are they are gonna be able to write a more authentic and compelling essay about it, which will increase their chances of getting into SEAS.
Actually, my point still stands. My son was considering applying to SEAS, but because of the cautionary advice, applied to CAS. Anyone can do the same thing, and then move into SEAS, apparently, or at least according to our contact at Penn. Of course, if my son is going to apply to move into the DMD major, he’ll need to take one or several programming classes in freshman year.
But I’m sure you’re right that it doesn’t matter what major one applies to within SEAS; they are all equally competitive.
Yup your point definitely does stand. Someone with a demonstrated weakness in math will have greater chances of getting into Penn if he applies to CAS rather than SEAS, and then he/she could transfer to SEAS or do a double major with SEAS.