How much will changing my major affect possible admissions?

Applying to College
1

Right now I’m applying to a lot of schools for Computer Science, but I like Civil Engineering better. The problem is, at many schools engineering programs are harder to get into, harder to switch in to later if I end up attending and all of my college supplements and even the essay are specific to CS. I could change my major to CoE undeclared (like at Northeastern, one of my top choices). I’m also waiting to hear back from the University of Southern California, Holy Cross, and Tufts. My ACT is 32 and my GPA is 3.7, with great ECs and a good essay. I don’t really expect to get into USC/Tufts for CS, given the competitiveness of the programs, and I was deferred EA from NEU.

A lot of my schools are supposed to come out with decisions within the next three weeks… so probably too late, right?

edit: I suppose I could transfer out of Civil into CS pretty easily, and if not I could get my masters in CS with a Civil undergrad?

2

It depends. Many colleges do not admit by major while others do. You’d have to check with your schools. I think it would be too late for some

3

It depends on the school as to whether your majors of interest are “full” and therefore difficult to change into.

Not sure why you have Holy Cross on your list, since it does not have civil engineering and its computer science is rather limited.

4

Looks like Tufts/USC/NEU all do, but they also allow major change requests upon getting accepted. Might just go that route @“Erin’s Dad”

Hope my colleges leave extra spots just in case @ucbalumnus . Holy Cross is the smallest school on my list, and I did not want to apply only to large engineering/CS schools. If I attended HC, I’d do 3+2 engineering for civil. That being said, I’m weighing if 3+2 is worth it.

As far as if I should change my major right now before getting a decision, I shouldn’t?