<p>Background: 3.7 - 3.8 GPA, math major, B+ in math courses, A in physics courses, will declare a double major soon. Currently in another UC. </p>
<p>Question: Will I have a better chance if I set my major as physics instead of math in the application?</p>
<p>Details:</p>
<p>Alright, so I'm currently a mathematics major but will very soon declare double major with physics. This has been part of my academic goal and my attempt at admissions to UC Berkeley have nothing to do with it. </p>
<p>Currently, I'm averaging a B+ in mathematic courses but getting solid A in physics courses. I easily absorb what's being taught at physics (and didn't get a big shock to find that Newtonian physics is "obsolete" in scientific sense unlike the rest of the class) and burn through the concepts easily without much difficulty, yet for math, I seem to fall 1.5% short in getting an A-, I understand what's being taught, just the silly mistakes that's getting me, I'm taking honors courses by the way.</p>
<p>Since I want to become a mathematician, physicist being the second, my first primary major would have to be Math, but would be willing to mark it as physics if I have a better chance. My belief is that it doesn't matter, as it's the school/college and branch (College of Letters and Science - Math and Physical Sciences) that'll matter, in which physics and math are in the same group.</p>
<p>I think Cal admits by college, so if math and physics are in the same college, there's not really a difference. I'm not sure at all though, but I'm sure someone else will chime in.</p>
<p>Congratulations on the high GPA at that other UC.</p>
<p>This is a very specific question that I doubt any of us could answer absolutely, so I would recommend that you talk to a UCB rep when they visit your school, or find out when they will visit your local CCC and sneak in :)</p>
<p>My opinion is also that it doesn't matter and your major should reflect the one you're most interested in (but should be a demonstrated interest: pre-reqs completed for that major, outside EC's that go with the major, etc). In addition, consider if your grade trends for those two majors are both upwards...</p>
<p>I would apply as a physics major to Berkeley considering that you have better grades in your physics courses. You will be applying to the College of Letters and Sciences but you will be admitted into the Mathematical and Physical Sciences division. And since both Mathematics and physics are in the same division you will have no problem switching you major to mathematics. But I agree with alansda you should contact a Berkeley rep if you want a definitive answer.</p>
<p>Heh, if I do put physics down, I think the evaluators will wonder why I joined a math club, took Putnam exam (along with a weekly night class for it), and math honors courses XD</p>
<p>Also, up to how far do they look in your transcript? They only look at the grades from Freshmen to Sophomore Winter quarter?</p>
<p>Well if you have shown interest in the math major (clubs etc.) I would definitely apply as a math major. either way it will not make much of a difference.</p>
<p>Will they focus on my overall GPA or the GPA from the pre-requisites? Right now, these non-major/pre-requisite courses I'm taking are no joke (computer science, foreign language, and philosophy) except for the two writing courses. </p>
<p>I also got a B+ in Calculus (got my first kick in the balls of college academics, but learned from it) and B in Honors Multivariable Calculus I (No curves, one horrible quiz washed my chances of getting an A), both pre-requisites, but the math courses after that, including Honors Multivariable Calculus II, are all A- and As, will that still give me a chance?</p>
<p>The above question came up after reading a thread when you guys recommended a user to drop a pre-requisite course since s/he was likely to get a C.</p>