Choosing a Major as a Freshman

Deciding on your major as a freshman can be exciting and can lead you to ask many questions. We’ll provide you with the guidelines below. From there, it’s up to you and your curiosity to explore and make a decision.  

Declaring a Major

You can declare a major, or apply as undeclared, on your UC application form. For freshmen applying to a major in the College, your choice of major will neither help nor hurt your prospects for admission. In fact, a large number of freshman applicants apply as undeclared. The UC application allows you to choose an alternate major, but we only guarantee the review of first-choice majors.

For students who chose a major outside the College in one of our professional schools, check with the school to see if a supplemental application or any other action is required. The professional schools are:

  • Herb Alpert School of Music
  • School of the Arts and Architecture
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Theater, Film and Television

The professional schools that require supplemental applications have specific deadlines when they are due. Submit these materials only if you’ve selected a major from one of these schools as your primary major. Applicants who selected these programs as their alternate majors will be reviewed for their primary major only. 

These schools do not require supplemental applications:

  • Fielding School of Public Health
  • Luskin School of Public Affairs
  • Samueli School of Engineering

Changing a Major

If you want to change your major after you’ve submitted your application, please contact us with your request. 

If you’ve already been admitted and you want to change your major or declare, you can:

  • Contact the department whose program you wish to attend.
  • Change or choose a major at the New Student Session.
  • Meet with a counselor to discuss your major selection.

Please note that majors can’t be changed after the dates indicated in the following table.

Deadlines for Changing Majors

January 31

Deadline for changing to any major in the College* or Samueli School of Engineering**

November 30

Deadline for changing to any major in the schools of the Arts and Architecture, Music, Nursing or Theater, Film and Television***

*Excludes communication; applicants can’t change into this program after November 30. Also note: The communication major is not open to freshmen, and the undeclared” majors are not open to transfer applicants.

**Major changes will not be allowed once decisions have been released

***See supplemental applications for deadlines for any required additional material.

Deciding on a Major

This is the fun part, where you get to turn your curiosity loose and explore subjects that match your interests, academic strengths and personal goals. But don’t stop there. Here at UCLA, you can explore all the new subject areas and learning experiences that only a research university in an innovative global city can offer.

Check out our fields of study to see what sparks your interest and matches your talents, and get a sense of the unbelievable opportunities that are available to undergraduates at UCLA. And remember, you can add to your academic experience by adding a minor, which can be declared after you enroll.

What if, after much exploration, you’re undecided? Know that you’re in good company. About 1,500 students are “undeclared” at any given time, and many more change majors. Undeclared majors are welcome in all divisions of the College along with the School of Engineering. See the list of majors for more information.

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