<p>I've read some people talking about how applying as a pre-med major (especially to top notch schools) can actually decrease your chances. Now, I've always been curious about this. How much does picking a given major off a college's list actually affect your chances? Are you better off putting "undecided" if you have a very popular major in mind? How much do admissions officers take into account the major you pick on your application?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>very good post, i'm just as curious as well</p>
<p>Generally it shouldn't have an effect, other than to bolster your case (i.e. you have significant accomplishments in that area already). However, certain majors and programs at certain universities can put you at a disadvantage, but they are usually impossible to transfer into anyway. Take for example the EECS (Electerical Engineering & CompSci) major at Berkeley, which is much harder to get into, but also impossible to transfer into.. same with Jerome Fisher or Wharton at Penn and Biomedical Eng at Johns Hopkins and the 7 year med program at Northwestern. Many of the top universities have such quirks, and you will undoubtedly learn of them as you research the school, but in general, adcoms won't hold your major against you, and admin rates for undecided applicants are roughly the same.</p>
<p>i am also very curious. CC'ers, please respond to this o so important thread.</p>
<p>I do know that many schools only have X amount of seats for different programs. I'm no expert but, I would imagine that it would be in your best interest to apply into a program you are strong in, or one that is less popular to increase your chances of admittance. Once you're in you can most always switch.</p>
<p>From what i've heard if you apply to upenn u can NOT decide to join Wharton School. wharton must be handled as if its a whole other university from Upenn</p>
<p>but what about applying to harvard for something like pre-med ( very popular)....does that decrease your chances ( since it's so popular)?</p>
<p>yea i would think, my thinking is whether it is best to just apply as an "Undecided" major. maybe top universities like to see that you know what direction ur going in life (and in turn boosting ur chances?)</p>