My question is, without AP Biology/AP Chemistry in the transcript, does the kid still have chance to apply for biology related major @ UC? My son takes AP Calculus and AP Physics in junior and senior year, (he seems to enjoy). Can he still compete with other kids?
Has your student taken or will take Regular or Honors Chemistry and Biology by end of Senior year?
What does his course load look like for the last 3 years? Does the HS offer many AP’s? Besides AP Calculus and AP Physics, are there any other AP classes he has taken?
HS course rigor is important to the UC’s but it really depends upon how he compares to other students at his HS in terms of rigor.
Thanks for the reply
Jr Year: AP US History, AP Eng Lang Comp, AP Calculus AB and AP Physics 1
Sr year (in progress): AP Gov/Pol, AP Eng Lang Lit, AP Calculus BC, and AP Physics 2
He took HP Chemistry in Sophomore year. But that course ID is not in UC A-Z course list.
You right. It really depends on how other kids are doing in the same HS doing.
My older son is a data point of 1 but he was an Environmental Science major admitted to 5 UC’s out of 6 that he applied, whom loved both Science and History courses. He maxed out the AP History courses, but had some scheduling conflict with some of the AP sciences so he ended up only taking AP Biology, Honors Physics and Regular Chemistry.
As long as your student has all 3 science courses on his transcript, he should be fine in terms of preparation of a Bio-related major. How he compares to his fellow HS students will determine the HS course rigor.
I am an advocate that students should take AP courses that interest them and not specifically for college admissions.
Best of luck to your student.
Ok…what am I missing? I don’t see any biology courses in here at all. What makes him think he wants to do a biology related major if he has never taken a biology course?
I only see chemistry and physics. Am I reading this incorrectly?
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@tingwen736 Sorry missed no Biology at all. What about Freshman year? I agree with @thumper1, why is he interested in a Bio major if no Biology course has been completed. Not having the 3 science courses Bio/Chem and Physics will probably hurt him in applying as a Bio major.
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Why is he taking another AP Physics class Senior year instead of AP Bio? Can he switch? Is the HP Chemistry class he took not UC approved? Is he a homeschooler?
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You checked the UCOP website to confirm that the Chem course is not on the a-g list?
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He took Bio HP in Freshman, Chemistry HP in Sophomore and BioTech II in Junior. I am passing everyone’s comment to my son. Let him pick. My son seems to have interest in each science subject (AP/HP). He is doing ok (straight A kid so far). I guess he picks Bio b/c my wife is a pharmacist. LOL 
Bio has a dreadful combination of high selectivity for a college major (like CS) and low employability/professional outcomes (too many failed premeds, not enough jobs for a Bio BS.)
In terms of selection, with a 4.0 and good rigor, even for bio sciences and their high competition, he’s likely to end up at a UC, even if UCR.
However the lack of AP Bio and AP do not concern me for admission but rather for adequation between what he thinks he wants to study and what he knows about the subject. Choosing a major solely based on a freshman year experience with the subject is akin to choosing a math major because you liked Algebra1 and geometry, without any idea whether you’d like precalculus or calculus. Students do it all the time, of course, but studying something that’s not what you thought it’d be is a big reason for so many stem students switching, who fortunately can often try something else, but looking at ease of switching should them be a big concern.
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Based on the classes he enjoys, Bioengineering or Biostatistics seem more in line with his interests (Math and Physics). Yes, both are Bio-related and would have a much better ROI upon graduating vs. a General Biology degree.
Since he has taken Biology, that box is ticked at least for admissions but he should definitely consider the type of Bio major he plans to apply.
Much easier to switch out of an Engineering type major vs. switching in. If you want more information on how the UC’s admit based on major, I have listed that information below:
UCB:
Division (L&S, CNR, CoC, CED, CoE) matters for admission selectivity.
Within CoE (but not the other divisions), major matters for admission selectivity. Changing majors within the CoE after enrolling is not guaranteed, unless one is CoE undeclared.
Note that L&S admits students as undeclared; admission to capped majors (e.g. CS, economics, psychology, ORMS, statistics, art practice, and a few others) is by college GPA in prerequisite courses (and portfolio for art practice) after attending for a few semesters.
The business major is in a separate division and admits students in a competitive holistic process. Frosh intending business majors begin in another division (usually L&S), take the business major prerequisites, and apply (usually in their second years). They also need to take prerequisites for a backup major in case they are not admitted to the business major.
All students who apply to UC Berkeley and select a major within the College of Natural Resources are evaluated based on their application, not on the particular major they select.
Alternate majors not considered.
UCD:
Admission decisions are made based upon the qualifications of the applicant pool and the number of available spaces within each academic area:
• College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences admits by college
• College of Biological Sciences admits by college
• College of Letters and Science admits by College but within specific divisions: ie. (Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Social Sciences)
• College of Engineering admits by academic department
Students applying as “undeclared” or “undeclared/exploratory” are considered within the college/division to which they applied.
Applicants are encouraged to list an alternate major, but not in the same area as the primary major (e.g., Computer Science Engineering with alternate Computer Science in the College of L&S). Occasionally, we admit to the alternate major.
UCI:
UCI admits into the University first and then into the major. In the case that UCI is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants in their first-choice major, those students who indicate a valid alternate major may be offered admission in that major or Undeclared.
UCLA:
For the College of Letters and Science, the applicant’s major is not considered during the review process.
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science admits students by declared major, with more emphasis on science and math programs.
The School of Nursing also places more emphasis on science and math programs and requires the submission of an additional supplemental application.
The School of the Arts and Architecture; Herb Alpert School of Music; and the School of Theater, Film and Television admit students by declared major (within the school), and put more emphasis on special talents through a review of portfolios and/or auditions, which are the most significant admission factors for these schools.
UCLA only guarantees review of an applicant’s first-choice major.
We typically do not admit to the alternate major
UCSD:
The campus does not admit students on the basis of academic major or choice of UC San Diego undergraduate college. Alternate majors are considered and capped majors are highly competitive. Also note: Capped majors require additional pre-req courses and specific GPA to be able to qualify if changing majors. Also if applying to a capped major, select an non-capped major as an alternate.
UCSB:
College of Letters and Sciences: Choice of major is not considered in selection to the College of Letters and Science. The exceptions to this rule are dance and music performance majors. Both majors require applicants to complete an audition in late January or early February.
College of Engineering: Students are selected by major for all engineering and computer science majors. Only applicants with a solid background in advanced high school mathematics will be considered for admission to engineering. This includes high grades in all math courses through grade 11 and enrollment in pre-calculus or higher in grade 12. A student not selected for their first choice major will be reviewed for admission to an alternate major outside of the College of Engineering if one was selected.
College of Creative Studies:
Applicants to the College of Creative Studies submit a supplementary application in addition to the general UC Application, which is reviewed by Creative Studies faculty. Students are selected within Creative Studies majors only. Applicants not selected for Creative Studies will automatically be considered for admission to the College of Letters and Science.
UCSC:
Important Note for Prospective Engineering Students: Choice of major does not influence the selection of first-year students, except for those applicants interested in a major offered by the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE). Freshmen who are interested in a BSOE program should be sure to indicate a BSOE proposed major. Students who do not indicate a BSOE program or who apply as undeclared might not be able to pursue a BSOE program.
UCR:
Admission by major but alternate/2nd choice major will be considered if applicant does not meet their first choice admission standards.
For Business: Freshmen students must apply to Pre-Business under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS). The College breadth requirements and the prerequisites for a Business major are completed during the freshman and sophomore years. An application is submitted at the end of the sophomore year. Upon acceptance, students become Business majors and are then advised in the Business Department. Students from any academic major may also complete a Business minor.
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