Applying to Different Majors at Different UCs: Smart Strategy or Red Flag?

IMPORTANT UPDATE: We've had so much great success with our newsletter but have gotten feedback that weekly can be a lot of information on top of our weekly training. Going forward, we'll be sending a more in-depth newsletter once a month at the end of each month. This will be the last weekly edition until the last week of May. Thank you for your continued support!

Welcome to this week's edition of College Admission Secrets, your go-to resource for navigating the college admissions journey with clarity and confidence.

In this issue:

• 💭 Coach Tony's Thoughts – Applying to different majors at different UCs can be strategic when your activities and essays support related interests.

• 📅 Weekly Action Plan – Essential grade-specific tasks to keep your college journey on track for the week of April 29th.

• 🏫 Insider College Spotlight – UC Santa Cruz offers exceptional natural sciences programs with stunning coastal views and a commitment to social justice.

• 💰 Scholarship of the Week – We The Future Contest awards $1,000-$5,000 for Constitution-focused projects in various formats.

• 🔥 Quick Admissions Tip – Strategic UC campus visits require preparation, thoughtful questions, and detailed notes that strengthen your application.

• 🎯 Hidden Opportunity – Personal projects showcase initiative and genuine curiosity that admissions officers value more than assigned coursework.

• 📺 Must-Watch Training – Learn Joey Lin's proven AP exam strategies that have helped students score in the top 1% nationwide.

No matter where your student is in the process, we are here to help. Let’s dive in!

💭 COACH TONY’S THOUGHTS

Applying to Different Majors at Different UCs: Smart Strategy or Red Flag?

One of the most common questions I get from families applying to the UC system is whether students can apply to different majors at different UC campuses. The short answer is yes…. but there are important strategic considerations.

Here's the scoop:

You absolutely CAN select different majors for different UC campuses on your application. Each UC has its own specific programs and strengths, so this approach makes sense. For example, you might apply to Cognitive Science at Berkeley and Computer Engineering at Davis.

But here's what most people don't realize:

Since you're submitting one unified application to all UCs, your activities, essays, and overall profile need to make sense for ALL the majors you're considering. If you apply to radically different majors (like Dance at one campus and Chemical Engineering at another), admissions officers might question your academic direction.

When does this strategy work best?

• When selecting related fields that share skill sets (like Computer Science and Data Science)

• When your extracurriculars and coursework support both interests

• When your Personal Insight Questions effectively explain your diverse passions

A common example: Many students interested in business apply to different majors across UCs since most UCs don't offer undergraduate business degrees. They might choose Economics at UCLA, Business Economics at UC Irvine, and Management Science at UC San Diego.

And yes – you can absolutely receive multiple acceptances from different UCs. Each campus evaluates applications independently, and they don't communicate with each other about admission decisions. One UC won't know how many other UCs you've applied to or whether other campuses have accepted you.

Bottom Line: Choose majors strategically across different UCs, making sure they align with your overall application narrative. But don't feel pressured to pick the same major everywhere – just make sure your choices tell a coherent story about your interests and goals.

Quick Tip: If you're torn between multiple academic interests, the UC application allows you to select an alternate major at most campuses. This gives you two opportunities for admission at each university while still maintaining a focused application.

📅 WEEKLY ACTION PLAN

Week of April 29th

9th Grade

• Finalize summer plans and confirm any program registrations or job applications

• Schedule an end-of-year meeting with your counselor to review freshman year and discuss sophomore courses

• Begin researching potential AP or honors classes for next year and understand the prerequisites

10th Grade

• Create a study schedule for AP exams in May – focus on practice tests and reviewing weak areas

• Research summer opportunities that align with your interests (camps, internships, volunteer work)

• Update your activity log with any new leadership roles, awards, or community service hours

11th Grade

• Register for any final SAT/ACT tests if needed (summer dates are still available!)

• Begin organizing a spreadsheet of colleges to research, including deadlines, essay requirements, and costs

• Prepare for AP exams and finalize your senior year course schedule

12th Grade

• May 1st is National Decision Day – submit your enrollment deposit to your chosen college

• Check your college portal for any outstanding requirements (housing forms, orientation registration)

• Send thank-you notes to teachers who wrote recommendation letters and others who helped in your journey

❓ PARENT QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What Should We Do After May 1st Decision Day?

National College Decision Day on May 1st marks an important milestone, but there's still work to be done after your student commits to a college. Here's what to focus on next:

Complete Housing Applications ASAP – Freshman housing is often assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Submit housing applications and deposits as soon as possible to secure the best options.

Attend Orientation – Register for orientation programs (whether virtual or in-person). These sessions provide crucial information about course registration, campus resources, and community building.

Review Financial Requirements – Check for additional financial aid forms, payment plans, or scholarship requirements that need attention before fall.

Health Records & Insurance – Gather vaccination records and understand the college's health insurance requirements or waiver processes.

Bottom Line: After the excitement of Decision Day, it's easy to coast through the final months of high school. But staying on top of these post-commitment tasks helps ensure a smooth transition to college life. Create a checklist together and celebrate each completed step!

📢 INSIDER COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT

Insider College Spotlight: UC Santa Cruz

Nestled among redwood forests with stunning views of Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz offers a unique blend of rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to social justice. This UC campus stands out for its innovative approach to education and its breathtaking natural setting.

Why Consider UC Santa Cruz?

• Natural Sciences Excellence – UCSC is a powerhouse in marine sciences, astronomy, and ecology. The campus benefits from its coastal location with access to natural laboratories, from the Monterey Bay to the university's own natural reserves.

• Social Justice Focus – Known for strong programs in sociology, psychology, and feminist studies, UCSC attracts students passionate about creating positive change. The campus culture emphasizes equity, sustainability, and community engagement.

• Unique College System – Similar to Oxford and Cambridge, UCSC organizes students into residential colleges, each with its own theme, facilities, and community. This creates a small-college feel within a research university.

• Undergraduate Research Opportunities – Students work alongside faculty on groundbreaking research from genomics to sustainable agriculture. The UCSC Genomics Institute and Lick Observatory are just two examples of world-class research facilities.

Financial Aid Perk 💰 UCSC participates in the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, covering tuition and fees for California students from families earning under $80,000 annually. Additionally, the campus offers specific scholarships for students in STEM fields and those committed to social justice work.

💰 SCHOLARSHIP OF THE WEEK

Each week, we handpick a favorite scholarship that is currently accepting applications. Here is this week's scholarship:

We The Future Contest

• Award Amount: $1,000-$5,000

  Deadline: May 31, 2025

• Eligibility: Open to high school students nationwide, including California juniors (Class of 2026). Students can submit entries in various formats including essays, songs, STEM projects, short films, social media videos, or PSAs—all focused on topics related to the U.S. Constitution.

🔥 QUICK ADMISSIONS TIP

How to Make the Most of Your UC Campus Visit

Many families make the mistake of treating college tours as passive experiences. But on UC campus visits, what you do before, during, and after your visit can significantly impact your application.

Before arriving, research specific programs related to your intended major and identify professors or current students you'd like to meet. During the visit, ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate you've done your homework about the campus and programs - generic questions won't help you stand out.

Most importantly, take detailed notes about specific features, programs, or opportunities that resonate with you. These authentic, specific observations become powerful material for your Personal Insight Questions and can help demonstrate why you're a perfect fit for that particular UC campus.

Remember: Admissions officers can easily distinguish between genuine connection to a campus and generic interest. Your campus visit insights might be the difference that helps your application rise above similarly qualified candidates.

Want to learn exactly what to look for on UC campus tours? We're hosting a free training this Thursday that walks you through it all!

🎯 HIDDEN OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

100 Personal Project Ideas That Make College Applications Stand Out

Personal projects are powerful components of a compelling college application. Unlike assigned coursework or structured extracurriculars, self-directed projects showcase a student's genuine curiosity, initiative, and ability to follow through…exactly what admissions officers are seeking.

• Student-Driven Value - Colleges recognize that what students choose to do with their free time reveals their authentic interests and potential. A personal project demonstrates motivation that doesn't require external pressure.

• Quality Over Quantity - Focus on depth rather than just creating something flashy. A thoughtful, consistent project related to your interests will impress more than something trendy but shallow.

• Major and Career Connection - The most effective projects often connect to a student's prospective major or demonstrate skills relevant to their future goals, making their application story more cohesive and intentional.

📥 Download our list of 100 Personal Project Ideas to jumpstart your inspiration and stand out from the crowd!

📺 MUST-WATCH TRAINING

How to Ace AP Exams with Thinqueprep

AP exams are approaching quickly, and how your student performs can significantly impact both their college applications and potential college credit. The difference between scoring a 3 versus a 5 could mean thousands in tuition savings and stronger admissions chances.

Most students make the mistake of simply reviewing content without mastering the specific strategies that top scorers use. They spend countless hours studying the wrong materials or practicing inefficiently, while overlooking the proven techniques that consistently lead to perfect scores.

In this special training, Joey Lin from Thinqueprep reveals the exact methods that have helped his students score in the top 1% nationwide. You'll discover targeted approaches for tackling difficult question types, time management secrets that prevent last-minute rushing, and the mental frameworks that help students maximize their performance under pressure.

This isn't generic advice – these are the specific, actionable strategies that have helped real students achieve perfect scores across multiple AP subjects. Whether your student is taking their first AP exam or looking to improve from previous attempts, these techniques can make the difference between an average score and an exceptional one.

Bottom line: AP exam success isn't just about knowledge – it's about strategy. This training will equip your student with the proven methods they need to excel.

ONE QUICK FAVOR

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