Does UC Berkeley look at second major?

Yes, UC Berkeley looks at alternate majors, but generally only guarantees review of your primary major, with the alternate considered if space permits, especially during waitlist/appeal periods, though highly impacted programs like Engineering, Chemistry, or Haas Business often don't consider alternates at all, focusing solely on the first choice. For freshmen admitted to Letters & Science (L&S), selecting a high-demand major as primary guarantees a spot if prerequisites are met, with the alternate major potentially used for internal review if space opens up.

Does Berkeley look at alternate majors?

Currently, Berkeley only guarantees the review of the primary major and will not review students for an alternate major. Q: How should I decide what my primary major should be versus an alternate major?

Does UC Berkeley accept a second bachelor's degree?

UC Berkeley

Second-baccalaureate-degree applicants currently are considered only by the College of Chemistry for the majors of chemistry and chemical biology only (subject to change for each application filing period). See the check majors page for details.

Does UC Berkeley admit based on major?

While freshman applicants to UC indicate a proposed primary and alternate major for each campus, major choice is generally not a factor in freshman admission.

What is the easiest major to get into at UC Berkeley?

The "easiest" major at UC Berkeley often means applying to the broad College of Letters & Science (L&S), as it admits many students without strict major caps, allowing you to declare later, with Interdisciplinary Studies, Linguistics, or certain humanities/social sciences showing higher transfer acceptance rates, while avoiding highly impacted programs like Engineering or CS. For first-year applicants, applying to L&S with a less-impacted major is a common strategy for broader entry, as many programs within L&S don't have major-specific caps for freshman entry. 

Applying to UC Berkeley in 2025? What You Need to Know

What are the top 3 majors for UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley's top majors, based on popularity and high demand, consistently include Computer Science, Economics, and various Engineering fields (like Electrical Engineering), alongside strong showings in Biology and Political Science, reflecting strength in STEM, social sciences, and business. While Computer Science is often cited as the most popular and competitive, other popular choices cluster in technical and analytical fields.
 

What are the top 3 hardest majors?

While subjectivity plays a role, Medicine, Engineering (especially Aerospace, Chemical, Biomedical), and Physics/Mathematics consistently rank among the top 3 hardest majors due to intense workloads, complex problem-solving, deep analytical skills, and demanding coursework, often involving advanced concepts in math, science, and critical thinking, with Chemistry and Architecture also frequently cited. 

What is the hardest major to get into at Berkeley?

The hardest majors to get into at UC Berkeley are primarily in high-demand fields like Computer Science (CS), Engineering (especially EECS/ECE), the Haas School of Business, and Data Science, often within impacted colleges, but also specific Letters & Sciences majors like Political Economy, Public Health, and Operations Research, known for extremely low admission rates (sometimes single digits for CS) and high applicant numbers. 

What is the UC 9 rule?

The Statewide Index identifies California-resident students in the top 9 percent of California high school graduates and offers these students a guaranteed space at a UC campus, if space is available.

Is UCB or UCLA harder to get into?

UCLA is generally considered harder to get into than UC Berkeley due to having a lower overall acceptance rate and receiving more applications, making it the most selective UC, though both are extremely competitive and depend heavily on your major and profile. While UCLA often requires higher stats (especially GPA), Berkeley can be very competitive for specific programs like Engineering or Business, but might be slightly more holistic overall. 

What is the lowest GPA UC Berkeley will accept?

Minimum Admissions Requirements

A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and.

Is it smart to get a second bachelor's degree?

Furthering your education in any form can offer valuable benefits for your personal development and your career. Pursuing a second bachelor's degree can provide the freedom to expand your career in new directions, whether you're looking to enter a new field or reach a higher level in your current field.

Should I report a 3 on an AP exam to UC Berkeley?

Credit granted for all Advanced Placement Exams on which a student scores 3 or higher. The credit may be subject credit, graduation credit, or credit toward general education or breadth requirements.

What are the most impacted majors at UC Berkeley?

High-Demand Majors at Berkeley:

• Art Practice.
• Operations Research & Management Science (Analytics)
• Political Economy.
• Public Health.
• Social Welfare.

Which UCs don't admit by major?

For example, Berkeley admits most students to the College of Letters and Science without consideration for major-specific space limitation (except for the “high-demand” majors) and UCLA does not consider major-specific space limitation at all for the College of Letters and Science (students are simply admitted to the ...

How hard is it to switch majors at Berkeley?

Changing majors within a school is relatively easy. You apply as a specific major at UC Berkeley, and are admitted as that major. Changing afterwards may be done within your college, but is difficult for high demand majors; these vary by college.

What is the easiest UC to get into in California?

Among UC schools, UC Merced has the highest acceptance rate at 91.7%. Meaning, most applicants get accepted. This makes it the easiest UC to get into.

Why isn't Gen Z going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to skyrocketing costs, overwhelming student debt, and a perceived poor return on investment (ROI), especially with AI changing jobs and stronger alternatives like skilled trades emerging, leading many to seek faster, cheaper paths to financial stability and job security. They've seen Millennials' debt struggles, witness online success stories, and value hands-on training over traditional degrees, making college less of a guaranteed ticket to success.
 

Is a 4.15 UC GPA good?

The average weighted GPA of admitted students is around 4.15-4.29, which is a very competitive GPA range. However, don't let these numbers discourage you, as a 4.1 GPA is still quite solid.

What are the top 3 majors at UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley's most popular majors consistently include Computer Science, Economics, and fields within Engineering, alongside strong interest in Social Sciences (like Political Science, Sociology) and Biological Sciences (like Molecular & Cell Biology), with the exact top three varying slightly by source but centering on Tech, Business, and Life Sciences/Engineering. Computer Science, in particular, stands out as a leading major, with Economics and various Engineering disciplines also being highly sought after. 

Which is more prestigious, Berkeley or UCLA?

Both UCLA and UC Berkeley are highly prestigious, but Berkeley often edges out UCLA in global research rankings, while UCLA frequently leads in U.S. national rankings for undergraduate experience and social mobility, creating a dynamic rivalry where prestige depends on the specific metric and field. Berkeley is often seen as having stronger research heft and engineering/STEM programs, while UCLA is praised for its vibrant student life and strong undergraduate focus, though both are considered top-tier public universities. 

What is the #1 easiest major?

There's no single #1 easiest major, as it depends on your strengths, but Psychology, Education, English, and Criminal Justice frequently rank as the easiest due to higher average GPAs and less demanding technical skills compared to STEM fields, often focusing on human behavior, societal structures, and communication. Majors like Sociology, Social Work, and Communications are also commonly cited as easier liberal arts options. 

Which major has the most dropouts?

Dropout rates by major:

STEM fields have higher attrition than non-STEM majors overall. Computer science has a 10.7% early dropout rate (among the highest) Business and engineering also show high early losses. Only 40% of those who declare STEM majors complete the degree.

What is the rarest major?

There isn't one single "rarest major," but rather a group of very niche fields like Puppet Arts, Egyptology, Ecogastronomy, Bagpiping, and Fermentation Science, often offered at specific universities, attracting few students due to their specialized nature, limited broad career paths, or unique focus, though they can lead to rewarding careers in arts, museums, parks, or food industries.