UC Berkeley acceptance rates: how do they differ by major?

Hey everyone, I'm deeply interested in UC Berkeley, but heard that acceptance rates vary a lot by major. I'm mainly looking into some STEM fields. How much of an influence will my choice of major have on my chances of admission? Any experiences or insights?

Hello! You're correct that the acceptance rates at UC Berkeley can vary depending on the major you choose to apply to. This is mainly due to the differing levels of competition and number of applications received for each major.

In general, UC Berkeley's College of Engineering is known to be highly competitive. Majors such as Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering tend to be some of the hardest to be admitted to because of the high demand and limited spaces.On the other hand, being accepted as undeclared vs. selecting a non-impacted major could potentially slightly increase your chances of acceptance. That being said, you should still apply for the field you're most passionate about because the admissions committee places great emphasis on how your application (extracurriculars, essays, etc.) aligns with your chosen field of study.

Please, note that once admitted, changing majors, particularly into the College of Engineering, can be very difficult and isn't something you should plan on. So, it's important to be honest and strategic with your choice of major.

One final point to note is that your eligibility for admission won't be assessed solely based on your choice of major. UC Berkeley uses holistic admissions, so they'll consider all aspects of your application - grades, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation (if requested), and extracurricular activities.

I hope this information is helpful and best of luck with your application!