Choosing a Major as a First-Year
Source: https://admission.ucla.edu/apply/first-year/choosing-major Parent: https://admission.ucla.edu/apply/first-year/first-year-requirements
Deciding on your major as a first-year 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 first-years 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 first-year applicants apply as undeclared.
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 that require supplemental applications have specific deadlines for submission:
- Herb Alpert School of Music
- School of the Arts and Architecture
- School of Nursing
- School of Theater, Film and Television
These schools do not require supplemental applications:
- Fielding School of Public Health
- Luskin School of Public Affairs
- Samueli School of Engineering
Learn about supplemental applications
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**
December 2
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 December 2. Also note: The communication major is not open to first-years, 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.