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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids. [/quote]

Curious where you saw this?

My oldest child is applying this year with a very undersubscribed major and even with Naviance data etc., it's difficult to figure out where she stands relative to other applicants. Literally almost everyone at her high school seems to be applying in one of the 5 majors you mention (maybe economics too). [/quote]

Not sure an undersubscribed major would make that big of a difference.  Everywhere is crowded.  There is no research done supporting that position at highly selective colleges.  A few posters like to repeat that assertion again and again.  But really not well supported.[/quote]

It can make a difference if you are truly invested in that major - and have evidence for that undersubscribed major in 4 places (transcript, ECs, LOR and essays). A student with a demonstrated interest in a less common major/field may stand out more. But you can't "game" it without the backup evidence.

A quick google search shows:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/explore-careers/articles/careers-internships/10-least-common-majors/
https://www.koppelmangroup.com/blog/2022/2/9/top-10-least-popular-majors-at-stanford
https://www.commandeducation.com/resource/applying-to-unpopular-majors/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31MvGs-j4RQ&t=17s[/quote]

But these links are all from private counseling services.  They make a living by selling this type of "strategy."  I would only take it with a grain of salt.  
There isn't any official breakdown of acceptance rates by major.  At ivies, I suspect the acceptance rates are pretty much the same if there is no separate admission.  At least I haven't seen any.[/quote]

Np.
Our private's CCO had 6 admissions officers come in last year for a roundtable. They basically said the reason they love our progressive private is how well prepared for the humanities everyone is and they know when kids declare a humanities major they mean it.

Its truly inconceivable that a college doesn't take into account a major. But, it doesn't make it easier per se. [/quote]

The last two statements are fair.  It's just that there is no concrete evidence for "major advantage."[/quote]

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