Admissions by Major: University of California

I've been thinking about applying to the University of California. But I'm not sure what I should put as my intended major. Any advice on which majors are traditionally easier to get into?

While it's a common myth that some majors are easier to get into than others at University of California (UC) campuses, UC does not admit by major outside of a few hyper-selective programs. UC looks holistically at your application; admission is based on a variety of factors, including GPA, test scores (if submitted), essays, extracurricular activities, and more.

It's important to note that certain majors can be significantly impacted, meaning they have more interested students than the school can accommodate. For example, computer science or biology tend to be heavily impacted at many UC campuses due to the high interest in these fields. If you get accepted into the UC but not your specific impacted major, you can usually still enroll in the school and try to switch into the major later, but the requirements for internal transfer into impacted majors can be quite high, and are not guaranteed.

The most important thing is to choose a major that truly aligns with your interests and career goals. Your personal statement and supplemental essays should provide evidence of your genuine interest in your chosen major. Demonstrating a strong understanding and commitment to your major can strengthen your application. In other words, the 'easiness' of admission should not be the sole determining factor in choosing a major. It's best to focus on where your interests and strengths lie instead of trying to game the system. For instance, if you genuinely love history and are strong in it, don't apply as an engineering major just because you think it might be easier to get admitted as an engineer.

In conclusion, admissions can vary between colleges and programs within the UC system, and it's important to understand that there's no guaranteed 'easy' path. You should focus on displaying your passion, commitment, and skills related to your chosen major, as this will enhance your overall application.