As I'm considering the University of Washington, I'd like to know which majors are the most impacted. Are certain programs so popular that they're harder to get into, and how does it affect the students?
At the University of Washington, several majors are "capacity-constrained," meaning there are more students interested in these fields than there are spots available. These particular programs often have more rigorous application requirements and can be more competitive.
Popular programs that are typically capacity-constrained at UW include Computer Science, Business Administration, and some Engineering majors (like Mechanical and Electrical). Additionally, the Nursing and Public Health programs are also high demand.
What this could mean for students is that gaining direct admission into these impacted majors from high school can give you a guaranteed spot, contingent upon fulfilling certain pre-requisite courses. On the other hand, if you are not directly admitted, you may apply to these majors after completing prerequisite courses, but admission is not guaranteed and depends on the strength of your application compared to others'.
Impacted majors can create a situation where students are competing for a small number of spots, which may increase stress. Nonetheless, many students find this challenge exciting and appreciate the opportunity to work hard and stand out amongst their peers.
University of Washington also offers a multitude of other exciting and rigorous programs, and just because a major isn't as impacted, doesn't mean it won't equip you with a solid education and ample career opportunities. Ultimately, it's important to choose a major that aligns with your interests and career goals, whether it's capacity-constrained or not.
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