<p>So I applied to Berkeley for engineering undergrad, and I put down electrical and computer engineering down as my intended major. That's the most popular major, and I didn't realize it at the time but many say selecting that on the app hurts your chances, did I screw myself over? I'm OoS with a good GPA and above average test scores, any advice is appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>At Berkeley the College of Engineering has a lower acceptance rate than the rest if the school (12% vs 20%). Additionally the College of Engineering admits by major with EECS, BioE, and engineering undeclared being the most selective majors. So from a pure numbers standpoint it does hurt your chances. However while people will tell you that only students with previous CompSci type experience have a shot at the EECS major, in my experience a decent GPA and test scores gives you a pretty solid shot. Out of the four EECS majors I know only one had prior experience.
Good luck! Only four days left!</p>
<p>Ok thanks, my math/science test scores are around or above the 75 percentile for Berkeley and I took high level math/science throughout high school (currently enrolled in AP Calc BC and AP Physics C). I also mentioned that I’ve been into programming for a while and that I’ve taken college level courses in programming, how much do you think that helps?</p>
<p>Again, thank you</p>
<p>It definitely helps a lot if you’ve mentioned that you have prior experience in programming for EECS. EECS is widely regarded as one of the toughest if not the toughest major to get into for at UC Berkeley. So any mention of prior programming experience definitely helps.</p>
<p>@saif235 While it is certainly possible for people to be accepted into Berkeley’s prestigious EECS program without any prior programming experience, it is very rare. Usually, the small number of people who do get accepted for EECS without any prior programming knowledge are:</p>
<ol>
<li>Minorities in EECS (still very good of course but regarded as a minority in the field of EECS)</li>
<li>Truly exceptional</li>
</ol>
<p>@theecsadvisor
Does Asian count as an EECS minority?</p>
<p>What about half asian half white? haha</p>
<p>saif235: I’m pretty sure Asian is the majority for EECS, I’d guess it’s around 70%. 
Male is definitely a majority (80-90% maybe) as well.</p>
<p>Also, there are plenty of students who come in without programming experience. Some jump straight into 61A (it pretends to be an intro class), others are more cautious and go for CS10 first. But it’s not unheard of to have no experience. Showing interest in the major certainly helps, though.</p>
<p>Sorry, I laughed when I read if Asian counts as a minority in EECS.
Also, you’re all aware that none of the UCs or California state schools take into account race/ethnicity? The proposition opposing affirmative action was passed years ago.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help so far, another thing I want to ask is how does Berkeley engineering compare to UMich engineering in terms of acceptace, because I was admitted to UMich engineering EA. I have a 2200 SAT and 33 ACT if that helps, I also got a 35 on ACT math and a 36 on ACT science.but I’m not sure how relevant that is.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Also exactly how much harder is EECS at CoE than CS at L&S to get into? I am engineering focused but now I think I may have been better off just applying to CS at L&S.</p>
<p>@failure622 @dina4119 - that was meant to be sarcasm, but i guess that doesn’t get conveyed too well through pure text. I was responding to @theecsadvisor 's post regarding EECS admission with respect to the EECS majors I know (who are all Asians). </p>
<p>Race and ethnicity are not considered in Berkeley admissions.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that applying to engineering and CS hurts your chances at the premiere UCs; it’s not much to debate or question. I shouldn’t necessarily say “hurt” your chances though, because you have equal chances as long as you are qualified. But for an average applicant, applying to something else such as L&S is by far almost doubling your chances.</p>
<p>@MLG360 EECS is known to have an acceptance rate of around 10% while L&S CS is approximately double that acceptance rate. UMich engineering is top notch but easier to get into than UC Berkeley’s engineering program.</p>
<p>@saif235 LOL. Of course not. I’m sure you know that Asians are the majority. But for example, women are considered as a minority in EECS. Now personally, I know women who have topped exams in EECS courses so while they can certainly do EECS, they are still considered underrepresented by the EECS community. I believe the University does have statistics on these issues. But for the first time in history, more women are enrolled in CS 10 than men are. But keep in mind that this is CS 10 and is not a course required for the EECS major. Here is one article. <a href=“Tech shift: More women in computer science classes”>http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/Tech-shift-More-women-in-computer-science-classes-5243026.php</a></p>
<p>@failure622 I agree that it is certainly not unheard of but I believe that it is still rare relatively compared to the rest of the students in EECS.</p>
<p>Is your intended major even considered during the application review/admissions process if you applied to L&S?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>In theory, no. However, an admission reader may notice if it is consistent or not with your essays and other parts of your application.</p>
<p>All frosh entering L&S enter as undeclared.</p>