Would being undeclared increase my chances of getting in?

Applying to College
1

<p>I really want to get into the following schools: UCLA, UC Berkeley, WASHU and UT AUSTIN.
would applying as undeclared increase my chances of getting in to those?</p>

2

<p>What do you want to major in?</p>

3

<p>It might, it might not. OTOH declaring an unusual major, or a major just recently set up by the school, can be an advantage.</p>

4

<p>For Berkeley in particular, it matters which division you apply to.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>College of Letters and Science: designating a specific major or undeclared does not matter in freshman admissions; all entering freshmen are undeclared.</p></li>
<li><p>College of Engineering: freshman admission thresholds are different for each major, with undeclared often having a higher threshold than some or most of the declared engineering majors. Engineering undeclared freshmen must declare an engineering major by the end of freshman year (or switch to a different division).</p></li>
<li><p>College of Chemistry, College of Environmental Design: no undeclared option.</p></li>
<li><p>College of Natural Resources: freshman applicants may apply to a major or undeclared; freshman admission thresholds within the division do not differ by major or undeclared.</p></li>
</ul>

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5

<p>One warning: if you get in as undeclared, you will HAVE to reapply once you choose your major. They may or MAY NOT have space for you in that major. Isn’t it better to know up front IF you can get in for the major you are planning to study? If you truly have no idea, you can go in as undeclared and be prepared to choose soon & apply to the particular college that offers the major you want. Our D didn’t finalize her major & get into her school until late in JR year, so she’s taking an extra year to graduate (more $$$ & more time).</p>

6

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</p>

<p>This depends on the college. Using Berkeley as an example:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>College of Letters and Science: most majors can be declared after passing the prerequisite courses. A few majors require applying to with a high GPA or competitive admissions process.</p></li>
<li><p>College of Engineering: undeclared students can declare any engineering major in the first year. However, declared students and those in other divisions must apply to a competitive admissions process to change major to an engineering major.</p></li>
<li><p>School of Business Administration: students in other divisions apply to the undergraduate business major in a competitive admission process after completing the prerequisites.</p></li>
</ul>

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