I've heard a lot about the different majors at UC Berkeley being highly competitive. That's a bit scary, but also exciting. Just in case my first choice doesn't pan out, I'm trying to figure out a backup plan. Can anyone give me an idea of which majors at Berkeley may have less competitive admissions? I'm honestly open to exploring different fields, so any suggestions would be appreciated!
It's smart to consider various paths of study. Before I begin, I should note that at UC Berkeley, students apply to a college rather than a specific major. Once admitted into a particular college, students can usually declare any major in that college without additional admission barriers (although, in some cases, there may be grade requirements or prerequisites).
The College of Letters and Science, which is the largest college at UC Berkeley, is reputedly less selective than the other colleges. This college offers over 80 majors spanning arts, humanities, biological science, social science, and physical science. Given the large array of majors, you're bound to find something that interests you.
However, a factor to keep in mind is that certain majors within the College of Letters and Science, such as Psychology and Economics, are popular and very impacted due to the high student demand. In contrast, some less impacted majors might be those less well-known ones, like Folklore, Scandinavian, or Celtic Studies.
Within other colleges at Berkeley, such as the College of Environmental Design or College of Chemistry, there tends to be less competition due to the more niche interests, but of course, you should select a major that aligns with your career goals and intellectual interests.
If you're really driven by a particular passion, don't shy away from it because of competitiveness. Rather, focus on creating a compelling application that showcases your commitment to that field. Even impacted majors can be attainable if you have clear, demonstrated passion in the field! I hope this helps, and best of luck with your application.
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