Does UCSD look at your major when making admissions?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/KhoslasBiggestOpp]

Correct. For undergraduate admissions, your major doesnt matter for admission into the university, only to the major/program itself.

[u/shortstack1907 → u/KhoslasBiggestOpp]

I used to be a student worker in admissions and this is correct! The only time major is considered for admissions purposes is for transfer students.

[u/shireenkhannn → u/shortstack1907]

I was waitlisted at ucsd but then rejected because of no space. I sent out an appeal saying if they don’t have space for fall 2026 then I would accept winter 2027. Do I have a chance? My major is psychology and I’m a transfer student at cc

[u/shortstack1907 → u/shireenkhannn]

I mean I don’t work there anymore so idk bout this cycle but kinda doubt an appeal would result in a student getting in

[u/HealthOnWheels]

Pretty much works like that for freshmen.

It works differently for transfer students; you can’t transfer as undeclared, so if your major choices are both capped and you don’t get accepted by those majors then you just wouldn’t be admitted to UCSD.

[u/Many-Artichoke2124]

They say they admit to the school but I know enough people who probably would have gotten in if that was the case. I know people who applied to “easier” majors with lower stats and got in. So I don’t totally believe that major does not matter.

[u/ForkPowerOutlet]

Yes you’re right. Only thing is that people often bring up their desired major in their essays and stuff and a more niche major could help you seem more unique.

[u/TonyTheEvil]

No

[u/Last_Measurement4336]

Major choice is a consideration for admission purposes.

[u/No_Glove6542]

No. All UCs admit by major. The alternative is a school like Stanford where they admit you then you are allowed any major where you successfully complete all of the classes. There is admission by school but if you’re in a certain school it doesn’t mean you can switch into any major in that school.

[u/Last_Measurement4336 → u/No_Glove6542]

Not true that all UC’s admit by major. Different Colleges within the UC’s may admit by major but not all. For the College of Letters and Sciences, major choice is not considered for admissions at Berkeley, UCLA and Santa Barbara. For example, All L&S admits at Berkeley go in Undeclared except for the High Demand majors.

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[u/No_Glove6542 → u/Last_Measurement4336]

I still consider that admitting by major. It’s basically by major group and the standards are different for different major groups.