So I believe if I request to change the major that I’m applying for now my app would be moved to the RD pool (I definitely don’t want that)
Any advice on when I should request a major change? Should I wait until I’m there or right after I get my acceptance letter? (if I’m accepted of course)
I would be changing from physics to computer science, which are both competitive programs at UIUC as far as I’m aware, so if I get accepted into physics I don’t think I’ll have a really hard time transferring to compsci
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Computer Science is the most difficult major to get into at UIUC so it’s unlikely you will be able to get into CS at any point unless you have a 4.0 and even then it’s no guarantee as it’s a very difficult major to transfer into.
Don’t bank on being able to change your major at the time of acceptance or when you get onto campus. It is unlikely to happen. Not impossible, but unlikely.
Honestly, I couldn’t tell you that one way or the other. It’s so late in the game it’s hard to say where your application would even fall and there’s not even a guarantee you would get into Physics either. You may want to reach out to your high school counselor and see what they say and/or contact an AO at UIUC and ask. They will have more insight into that. The last thing you want is to change and wind up fully rejected.
Just to add some details - UIUC is releasing EA and RD results at same time this year, so time is running out to change from EA to RD. Discussing with your counselor or the UIUC admissions office is your best bet.
Why are you telling me this? I am aware of this. That’s what I told the person who wants to switch majors to do. My kid is not interested in changing majors.
UIUC you can’t change the major options you have essay tied to why you choose the first major and second major
What’s your second choice ?
Also did you apply to Engineering or college of arts and science ?
May be you add or change the second option may be not too late call admissions office
Second major is not what you will be double major or minor. Anything you want to double major or minor you can choose after you enter the college in Sophomore or junior year.
Based on your first major choice you are interested in Science’s majors
Second major is typically you help get you into college or second interest you like to study like you choose physics as first major and second major you choose CS or mathematics or applied Mathematics or statistics etc just an example most of these courses align with computer science related courses which help you try transfer later after first year in college
UIUC CS acceptance rate is very low like 10-15% I guess as per previous stats
@NJ08809 and @NJcollege2021 You can change your major choice for the application, however, you do have to write the extra essay for why you want that major instead. It does look like @Dylanalfonso13 you can change your second choice from Spanish to something else and not lose your EA status. Hope that helps! Also, if you later want to transfer or switch majors, it’s easiest to do so in one of the Liberal Arts CS+ majors as opposed to trying to get into CS in Engineering.
Per the UIUC page here is what happens if you want to change the program you applied for:
" If you Do Not have a final decision…
Changing your major will not improve your chances of admission.
If the Early Action deadline has passed, you will be considered in the Regular Filing Period if you change your first choice major now. Changing only your second choice major will not impact your Early Action status.
If the Final deadline has passed, you will be considered a late applicant if you change your major now. Your application may be at a disadvantage for admission due to being late. Please contact the Admissions Office before submitting this form"
Yes that’s the reason I was suggesting to change the second major choice without impacting the EA status. Probably he can get the essay done in next couple of days
@Dylanalfonso13 Hi…what i would do in your case, is pick a second choice major from the Grainger School of Engineering. This is the advice directly from their website:
“Make use of the second essay. We are excited about your interest in attending Grainger Engineering. Writing the second essay allows you the opportunity to tell us more about you, what difference you hope to make as an engineer, what transition you look forward to making and preparing for upon graduation from Illinois. When you don’t write a second essay, it tells us that you are not interested in any other major. This limits our ability to offer majors/opportunities that we feel can best help you reach the same or similar academic goals.”
So go ahead and write an essay for the second choice major from this school. Then email the adcom, with a clear note that you misunderstood the purpose of the second choice major, and chose Spanish, instead of an engineering major. And attach the new essay to your email. Ask the adcom how to handle it without affecting your EA status.
Last time I emailed their adcom, they were very nice and responsive. So hope they will be the same for you. But yes, definitely seek guidance from your school counselor too before doing any of this. Good luck!
They don’t publish requirements as they don’t have direct admit to the business program like some other Big 10 schools (Iowa and Indiana). But you can look at the admissions page and see what the middle 50% stats were for last year.
@melrose1975 and @ant987 They do have direct admit to Gies College of Business for freshman, however, it is as an unassigned major so that you can explore majors and then declare later. It is hard to transfer into the Business school if you don’t get in, but it is not impossible. I don’t know the stats needed to get in, but generally from our high school it’s the higher echelon of students that get in.
Right, I know you can get admitted as a freshman to the business school, but they don’t publish a guaranteed direct admit program like at Iowa and Indiana.
