Will UCs consider alternate majors?

<p>My son applied for chemical engineering at most of the UCs. If he is not accepted into the engineering department, how likely is it that the UC will then consider him for his alternate major (physics in Letters & Science)? He applied to UCSB, UCSD, UCD, UCI, UCB, UCLA.</p>

<p>When my son and I toured UCSB and UCR last month, both admissions counselors said when you are admitted, it’s to the university and NOT the major, from what I remember and they instead would put you in undecided - Letters & Science. I cannot remember what they said about alternate majors. Not sure if all UC’s are the same though.</p>