<p>I am just wondering which colleges do this. Of course, I'd rather not have to declare a major when I apply because then I'd be compared to others who share the same intended major as me, but anyway I'd just like to know which top schools do or don't do this and how it can affect my chances if I'm a potential physics/astronomy major. Thanks!</p>
<p>All of the colleges that I know provide you with an opportunity to declare a major. College admissions, at least for the “arts and sciences” realizes that a very large number of incoming freshman (figures like 70%) change their major by the time they are juniors.</p>
<p>You can usually state “undeclared”. That said, there is a lot of merit to indicate on your application that you’ve thought about your career and that you have a preference. You can do so by picking a major or even two possible majors. Once you are admitted your assigned adviser at some colleges is likely to come from the “declared” major department.</p>
<p>You will have to check each college as to whether it matters whether you declare a major on your frosh application, and whether it is difficult to change majors or for an undeclared student to declare majors that you are interested in.</p>
<p>At some schools, different divisions have different policies. E.g. the Berkeley College of Letters and Science admits all frosh as undeclared, to declare major later (although a few majors have higher college GPA requirements to declare), but the Berkeley College of Engineering admits by major (one can also apply as engineering undeclared, but frosh admissions may be more competitive than when applying as a declared engineering major), and changing major can be difficult (for those who are not engineering undeclared).</p>