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
- Public Health
- Jacobs School of Engineering – all majors in these departments:
Selective Major Information & Continuing Student Application
See the selective majors page and the FAQ page. The selective major application is open only to continuing UC San Diego students. Prospective and newly admitted students should start here and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.The Application is now open for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) majors (Transfer-admitted continuing students only).
Deadline: April 10, 2026. Apply here.
Future Cycles: All selective majors for first-year-admitted continuing students - will open again in Summer 2026. The application will be open by August 1 with a deadline of September 1, 2026. Decisions will be made after Summer Session 2 grades at UCSD 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 (to be 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.