@jlhpsu The major you apply per college has actual weight? I thought they treated every major equally and only cared about the college? So you would say DUS is the least competitive followed by Liberal Arts and Agriculture?
@ryanbreaker3 With regards to DUS, I don’t think it was the least competitive - read the reply above you.
The common data set doesn’t break down by college - or by major - the average GPA and acceptance. However, people who have been around a long time and are experts - explain that engineering, Smeal, nursing are three of the most difficult and competitive majors to get in.
I think there is value in not just putting down the “least” competitive college just to get in. You will be swamped and over your head. Pick what you are interested in - if you go a summer, then use that time wisely. If you go to a branch, then use that time wisely. You are better off starting successfully at a branch than failing out or not getting your major choice due to a low GPA and ETM (entrance to major) constraints because you started at UP.
@ryanbreaker3 Yes, the major you apply to has weight and no I would not say that DUS was least competitive. Some majors within colleges have very different entry to major requirements and thus are considered less or more competitive than others to get into. For example, in the college of communications, PR requires a 3.3 GPA and a bunch of entry to major classes to get into sophomore year, while telecommunications requires just a 2.0 and no entry to major requirements. All liberal arts majors are not equal. All communication majors are not equal. All agriculture majors are not equal. You get the point.
I think it’s a tough thing to try to determine the least competitive major at any given application period because much depends on the application pool for that year. Like I said, DUS was much more competitive this year than others with students well within the GPA range not getting accepted. Keep in mind that the common data set gives just an overview of the GPA’s accepted in ALL majors. Those numbers can be skewed a bit because the GPA requirements for engineering and business are so high. Averages are just that. They don’t tell the whole story.
The best bet, I think, is to apply to a major that interests the applicant. If no such major exists, apply DUS. But trying to determine the ‘easiest’ major just to get into UP can very well backfire in trying to get the classes one wants for the actual major they want. But I do get the appeal of doing it that way as someone can always transfer into DUS at orientation and work towards any major. That being said, it’s much easier said than done trying to figure out the system in any given year.
Another example: it’s fairly easy to be accepted for a foreign language major, because the expectation is that you’ve had at least 4 years of that foreign language in high school (preferably AP). So, the process is self selective: kids with 2 years of French don’t apply for a French major. Most kids who took AP French are good at it (because you don’t take AP French if you all had is a C+/B- in it every year prior) and therefore get in.
PGA Golf Management is easier to get into than Smeal, even if you take Smeal classes, because it requires you to be a top golfer. So, yes, your odds of getting in are high, but only if you’re that top golfer. 
Agricultural and Biological Engineering or Earth/Mineral Sciences are easier to get into than College of Engineering majors. Agribusiness is easier than Smeal. Sustainable Environmental Resource is easier than Eberly. Outdoor Recreation is pretty easy to get into as long as you have the EC’s that show your ability and affinity for the subject.
I guess you could apply for Landscape contracting, Classics, Gender Studies, Jewish Studies, Education and Public Policy… then switch to DUS during orientation and hope you can take the classes you need for the major you really want, but it’s pretty risky.