<p>When applying for undergraduate admission to top notch schools like Harvard and Yale, if I declare a "harder" major like mechanical engineering, would it be harder to get in? Even though they say majors are not binding in any way, will they put you with the other engineering applicants, who may seem more competitive, in a sense (I'm not putting down the other majors, just giving an example)?</p>
<p>If Harvard or Yale has a school of engineering, aside from a college of arts and sciences, then it will be more difficult to get in. The admission counselors will look at your statistics in terms of the engineering school’s averages. They won’t specifically take into account your intended major, but the idea you want to attend their engineering program. Most engineering applicants have statistics above the average of applicants applying to the school of arts and sciences, with a greater emphasis in math and science.</p>