I read somewhere that UC Santa Cruz admits you into the school first and not your major. Does that mean that it does not matter what major you chose on the application even if you choose an engineering major? Do they look at your major when they decide whether to accept you into university?
I’m really curious about this. Thanks.
From UCSC website:
Students who entered UCSC as frosh may declare a major as early as they would like, if they have decided which major to pursue and have satisfied prerequisites or admission requirements (if any) for the major. They are required to be formally declared in a major before enrolling in their third year (or equivalent).
For Engineering majors specifically:
Students interested in declaring a BSOE major are encouraged to do so during their first year at UCSC. Some students may be admitted directly into their BSOE major of choice at the time they are admitted to UCSC. First-year applicants to UCSC may apply for direct acceptance to a BSOE major by indicating the major as their first or second choice on the UC application. Applicants will be granted direct acceptance based on their high school grade point average, courses completed in mathematics and sciences, scores on standardized tests, and/or their personal statement.
To take advantage of direct acceptance, first-year students must complete the declaration of major process in their first term at UCSC or forfeit their direct acceptance status.
Students not directly admitted may still apply during their first year, and their acceptance into their selected major will be based upon their BSOE GPA, their high school grade point average, courses completed in mathematics and sciences, and scores on standardized tests.