Hi, for all the schools that let you apply for multiple majors or let you have an alternate major, I am putting down my top choice (CS or ECE) first, then putting a less competitive major (usually Applied Math) for my alternate. Will this increase my chances of admission just in general. I thought it would because Applied Math is usually in the arts school (less competitive) and there is less people applying as an Applied Math major.
Is my logic correct in assuming that I have a higher shot at admission because I put this easier admit major as an alternate?
It will depend on the university. At the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, admissions are done according to the “college” where your major is, so a strategy like that might work if you put your planned major as one in the College of Liberal Arts or some other college rather than the College of Science and Engineering, which is much more competitive. However, all universities don’t handle their admissions like this. Depending on the university, you also might wind up “stuck” with your new major, at least for awhile, so you should only put down majors you are willing to pursue. It can affect which classes you are able to sign up for your first couple of years, that then lay the foundation for the rest of the degree. It also affects advisors, peers you meet in classes, clubs and even housing, depending on the university. For example, at the University of Minnesota, some freshmen housing is designated only for students who are in certain “colleges” like CSE or Carlson School of Management. You might also wind up with scholarship offers dependent on you pursuing a particular major or continuing in a particular college, and it could be hard to switch later if you needed or wanted to keep those scholarships.
good to know, I just value an admission over a rejection, even if it is in a less desirable major. I will keep this in mind though when I make decisions about where to attend. @mommyrocks
good to know, I just value an admission over a rejection, even if it is in a less desi