<p>Hey everyone. I'm a high school senior applying to UCB, UCLA, and UCSD for the fall of 2011. I'm filling out the online UC app and I've gotten to the part about what major(s) you are planning on. I'm wondering if I have to stick to the major I put down on the app. I know it's hard to switch to an impacted major, but other than that, could I switch to another major? I'm not talking about switching from film to math, but more like from chemistry to chemical biology or biology.</p>
<p>No, it’s not binding at all. You are only considered based on the college that you’re applying to. So Engineering vs L&S have different standards. However, one major in LS is no different than another major in LS.</p>
<p>Okay…so I’m planning to put down bio because that’s most likely what I’m interested in. But I’m also interested in chem. I know bio is impacted at UCSD, for instance. So I should apply to UCSD with bio major as my first choice, right? Also, if I apply to the College of Chemistry, is that the situation you were talking about, StarryNights?</p>
<p>If you apply to College of Chemistry, you start out with a declared major. If you apply to L&S, you start out undeclared. You can still change your major in both cases though… you just use different forms. No big deal, lots of people switch around in their first two years. You can even change colleges.</p>
<p>No it’s not binding. If you start taking classes for MCB and you decide it’s too hard, then you can just start taking classes for like philosophy. No one knows or cares till you complete ALL of the requirements (prerequisites) and want to sign a form to declare that major. I’m pretty sure.</p>
<p>@meakame: oooh I see. Do they make you take more GE classes/prerequisites if you start out undeclared (L + S)?</p>
<p>@clueless2400: okay, thank you!</p>
<p>Update: I ended up applying for a bio major at all of my UCs (UCB, UCSD, and UCLA) and alternate major (UCSD and UCLA) as chem, although it’s likely that I will consider different majors (or switching my top choice/alt majors) in the future, as most people do :)</p>
<p>No, they don’t. It’s up to you to plan when you want to do those courses. You could hypothetically pack your first two years with nothing but technicals and R&C, and then use your last few semesters to fulfill the breadth requirements.</p>
<p>No, that’s not true. The GE requirements are the same whether you start out declared or not. They only vary depending on which college you’re in. College of Chemistry requires fewer GEs, and L&S requires more.</p>
<p>In any case, you aren’t forced to take GE courses in your first few semesters. The only requirement that has a “limit” is R&C - I think they’re trying to make students finish that by junior year. But this is a cross-college requirement.</p>