Selective and Screened Majors
Selective Majors
What does selective major mean?
Selective majors are those that receive more interest than there are available spaces. These majors are very popular, meaning that departments cannot always welcome all qualified students. Reasons for selective status include limited space, teaching, and/or laboratory resources.
What programs have selective majors on our campus?
- Data Science (all majors, including the joint Business Data Science major)
- Public Health (all majors)
- Jacobs School of Engineering – all majors in these departments:
Continuing Students Only
The selective major application is open only to continuing UC San Diego students. Prospective and newly admitted students should start here to read more.
The Selective Major Application is now open.
The application is open only to Transfer-admitted students for Public Health. The deadline is Friday, December 4, 2026. Apply here. Decisions will be made after Fall grades are final.
Future Cycles:
- Transfer students only - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - the application will open in January with a deadline of Friday of Week 10 of Winter (March 12, 2027). Decisions will be made after Winter grades are final.
- Continuing students (originally admitted as first-time, first-year students in Fall 2025 and Fall 2026) - all selective majors - the application will open in July 2027 with a deadline of September 1, 2027. Decisions will be made after Summer Session 2 grades are final.
Screened Majors
What does screened major mean?
A screened major is a major that has significant enrollment pressure and is growing quickly. Any student who meets the screening criteria will be allowed to declare the major.
What majors are screened majors?
- Structural Engineering (effective Summer 2025)
- NanoEngineering (effective Winter 2026)
For more information about screened majors, see the screened majors page.
Questions?
Review our FAQ page.Alternative Major Options for Selective Majors
If you are not accepted into a selective major, please consider one of these alternative options.