Is 2nd choice major viewed differently with less importance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California State University - GENERAL
1

I applied to SJSU with CS as my 1st choice and SE as my 2nd choice.
My EI is right around the edge of CS, and well above SE.
So on the case that I don’t get accepted into CS, will my SE be viewed equally? Or is it given less regard as it is my 2nd choice major? Do 1st choice applicants and 2nd choice applicants get viewed equally?

Either is okay for me, but I have a slight preference to CS. But attending SJSU for CS or SE is more important. So should I have put SE as 1st choice for a better chance of getting admitted?

Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

2

SJSU does not consider alternate majors.

From SJSU website:
You must also enter an alternative major on your application to SJSU. We will use this information for advising purposes only, and will not consider your alternative major in the admission process.

If you do not get into CS, then you may be accepted to Undeclared. You would then have to switch majors with no guarantees. If you want to attend SJSU and you do not currently meet the EI threshold for CS, I would put SE as your first choice.

EI thresholds do fluctuate year to year, so there is no way of knowing if you will be eligible or not for CS this year.

3

@Gumbymom
Is it possible to change my first choice now? I only applied a few a days ago.

4

If you submitted your application already, SJSU will not let you make any changes once submitted but I would at least try and reach out to admissions.

5

@Gumbymom Thank you very much. I’d be screwed if you hadn’t informed me. I still am, I guess.

6

For some reason only the CalPoly’s look at alternate major.

Anyhow, contact SJSU ASAP and ask!

Also, since the CSU ap window is still open, be sure to apply elsewhere so you have viable options for next year.

7

@NCalRent
I only wanted to attend SJSU from all of the CSUs for its CS program and location in the valley.
Otherwise, I don’t find the other CSUs tempting

8

@Gumbymom
I contacted the admissions office and they changed my 1st choice major to Software Engineering. Phew!

9

Good to know. Another post made a mistake on their SJSU application and was told they cannot correct the mistake so it is good they let you switch majors.

10

I am glad they let you change your preferred major. Note though the admissions threshold can vary year to year so, you may not get into SJSU. you really should have an alternate or 2 available. I don’t know your qualifications, other interests or budget so, I can’t make a recommendation

There is more than one path to a happy and fulfilled life.

Good luck.

11

@NCalRent
Thanks. I’m an international student. So I don’t really have any connections with California.
I have applied to 9 other universities across the country.
My CSU GPA is 3.83 and New SAT is 1440.
If you have any other suggestions from the CSUs please do suggest. I wanna major in Computer Science.

Thank you

12

9 other schools should give you plenty of options.

SDSU, UCSC and UCR are all very solid CS programs and you will probably get in. Santa Clara is a Private in Silicon Valley and that could also work.

Good luck

13

@Gumbymom

I got a mail from the ad com with a link. The link directed to a form which you have to fill up for requesting a change of major. Apparently, major change requests are accepted up to November 30th.

Here’s the link "http://■■■■■■/f17changeofmajor

Please help out the other post and anybody else who screws up.

Cheers!

14

@Gumbymom what do SJSU mean by using alternate major for advising purposes please?

15

SJSU may accept you as Undeclared if they have no spots for your 1st choice major. They have a list of alternate majors to their impacted majors that help Undeclared students make a more informed choice to see if SJSU would attending, so they will look at your other interests.

http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/change_of_major/alt_majors/