Majors affecting acceptance chances?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, so I am currently a senior now, very close to finally applying for college. I was planning on doing some sort or science, like chem or physics, as I want a major that would prepare me for med school which I am planning on going to.</p>

<p>I am a pretty decent student, ranked 9/450, 1870 sat, and have a good set of extracurriculars and hobbies under my belt. However I remember hearing about how if you declare a science major when applying, the chances of getting in are a tiny bit lower because of the standards and curriculum that the major consists of. Plus compared to other students in science majors and since it is so high in demand, getting accepted is harder.</p>

<p>So my question is:
-Does major affect acceptance rate?
-Would declaring say an Arts major technically increase my chance?
-Would you recommend doing this? What are pros and cons?</p>

<p>See I was actually planning on minoring in music, as it is something I enjoy and I'm pretty good at it. I was thinking that I can declare a music major then just pick science classes anyways. Would this work? Or would maybe a music major be even more selective about it's candidates? </p>

<p>I appreciate the help. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Raise your SAT score and you’ll have a better chance :)</p>

3

<p>It depends on the college. At colleges which admit by major, it is not necessarily the same majors which are impacted relative to their capacity at each college.</p>

<p>Music may be a special case at some schools, if they have audition requirements.</p>

4

<p>alrighty…im a grad student, studying bioengineering.
so im gonna tell u my take on this and what i have experienced…</p>

<p>-Does major affect acceptance rate? </p>

<p>YES it does. my university is known for their pharmacy and dental schools…sooo trying to apply as a Biology major is EXTREMELY difficult. u gotta be top notch to be accepted as a bio major.</p>

<p>I applied as a bio major, because I wanted to go to medical school, just like you.
biochemistry major is easier to get (at my university) and so is chemistry and physics.
biology is the problem.
because my university has a pre-pharmacy and pre-dental major which is again, what my university is known for…all of those kids are technically ‘‘biology majors’’…thats what their transcripts and everything say along w/ the Pre-pharmacy and pre-dent advatange they get into our pharmacy school and dental school.</p>

<p>so yes, major does affect acceptance. so because i was denied my choice as biology, I was put as ‘Exploratory’…(kids w/o a declared major) again this was all happening during my senior year of high school.
so they basically said ‘‘Ur good enough for our university, but not good enough for our biology program…so go ahead and pick another major’’</p>

<p>so i explained to them how my dream was to go to medical school…and they suggested that i try bioengineering as my major. we take almost the same courses as a biology major PLUS we take a ton more math and engineering courses…
and that would better my chances of getting into medical school b.c not only woudl i have the sciences down, BUT i would also have math and engineering…</p>

<p>or i could do my best in bioengineering in my biology classes…and then try to change my major to biology…and file a petition and such.
of course all med schools have their own requirements…so u would prob have to take a couple extra courses not a part of the bioengineering major…to fulfill their requirements.
so made this bioengineering choice at the end of my senior year of HS and i started my freshman year of college as a bioengineering major.</p>

<p>about my soph. yeari realized that med school wasnt for me…and i stuck w/engineering the whole way…and i feel that it was the best decision for me.
if u pick art or something…i know art may seem like a blah major…but they may require a portfolio of your art work to see if ur good enough to be an art major…again this differs by school…</p>

<p>-Would declaring say an Arts major technically increase my chance?
this depends by school</p>

<p>-Would you recommend doing this? What are pros and cons?</p>

<p>i would not recommend it.
as you said and as most of us know…majors like biology and the sciences (in general) are pretty competitive to get into…soo if you apply to colleges as an art or history major, its probable u will get that major. so once you start ur freshman year w/that major…it will be difficult to switch and u will overwhelm yourself w/all of your classes you must take for say history…AND on top of that your biology, and anatomy, and such classes…and the labs for those classes aint no joke…its nothing compared to HS science labs…these are intense, the real deal, many hours kind of labs.
if ur really set on chem or physics…i would apply as those majors…
or i would try engineering if possible.
in engineering you have to take those classes anyways…and tons of physics by the way.
u could do ‘Engineering PHysics’ if your university offers it…BUT as an engineering physics major or a physics major, you will not be required to take all of those biology and organic chemistry classes…
those will have to be on ur own time and if u can fit them into your schedule of classes…which will be very difficult.
you will have enough on ur plate w/taking the physics classes you need for ur major.</p>

<p>u could def. pick sciences classes like u mentioned, but again…ur plate will be full w/the already required classes u will have to take…trust me.
u could always choose bioengineering too if the universities u r looking at offer it.
its a GREATGREAT major.</p>

<p>one of my fellow bioengineers got accepted to medical school at USC (University of Southern California)…
of course he had to take some additional science classes which are not required w/in our bioengineering major…but he did it.</p>

<p>i know this is a stressful and overwhelming time for u.
good luck!</p>