For UCs and USC, since Computer Science is an extremely competitive major (and for some it’s in the College of Arts and Sciences instead of Engineering) would I have a better chance of being accepted into Berkley, LA, SD, etc etc if I choose Undeclared, get in, and choose Computer Science as my major there. Or do I have a better chance getting in by just choosing Computer Science from the start?
You have a better chance getting in not majoring in CS for colleges that admit by majors. However you run a real risk of not being able to major in CS if the majors are overbooked. (or impacted in UC lingo.)
UCSD does not admit by major, so the major you choose has no impact on whether you are accepted to the university or not. You are admitted first to the university and then to your major of choice. Computer Science is impacted so a limited number of freshmen are admitted to the major. Students who wanted to major in computer science but did not get into the major are automatically admitted in their second choice major (if non-impacted) or as undecided. It may be easier to get into the computer science major as a freshmen than as a continuing undergraduate student because there are more spots available and as a continuing undergraduate student admission is based on your college GPA in computer science prerequisite classes (which may be more difficult than your high school classes).
If you apply to UCSD and want to major in computer science, definitely put computer science as your first choice.
As stated above, for most UC’s, the direct admit into CS is the best approach if that is how the UC admits. Going in undeclared could be problematic if you are unable to change your major down the road, but if you are willing to take that chance then apply as Undeclared.
For Berkeley, here are your usual choices:
- Apply to EECS in the College of Engineering. Probably more selective than overall. You will be in the major if you are admitted.
- Apply to the College of Letters and Science (undeclared or intended any major). Probably as selective as overall. To declare the computer science major (L&S CS), you need a 3.30 GPA in the prerequisite courses. It is also possible to apply to change into EECS, but that likely requires a very high college GPA and should not be considered a likely prospect.
Basically, the L&S undeclared to L&S CS path probably faces a lower admission gate at the frosh admission level, but there is another admission gate to pass to enter the L&S CS major, while EECS probably faces a higher admission gate at the frosh admission level, but there is no more admission gate.
The EECS and L&S CS majors do have some differences in their non-CS course requirements, though they choose from the same CS courses.