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 Selective Major Application is open, for MAE transfer students only. Apply here by March 20.
This application cycle is open to continuing students originally admitted to UCSD as Transfer students in Fall 2025, seeking to major in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The deadline is March 20, 2026. Students will be notified of selection decisions around April 2.
Future Cycles:
- All selective majors for continuing students originally admitted as first-year 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 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.