UC Berkeley students attempting to add the computer science major have been navigating an uncertain comprehensive review process this year.

On Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, computer science applicants received initial decisions in three categories: the “first batch,” or pending an April decision; the “second batch,” or pending a spring grade review; and a denial from the CS major.

The email updates for initial decisions stated that a portion of applicants would be notified by the end of April “pending EECS’s financial evaluation.”

On the EECS 101 Ed Stem Discussion, computer science division Vice Chair Josh Hug stated, “We have not sent any CS acceptances yet due to uncertainty around our (Academic Student Employee) hiring budget.”

2026 is the second year of comprehensive review for the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society which includes computer science, data science and statistics majors. In 2025, computer science comprehensive review had a 62% acceptance rate, although CDSS academic advisors stated the 2026 cycle was likely to be more competitive.

Before CDSS implemented the comprehensive review process, all campus students who met a minimum GPA requirement and grade for major-specific courses were admitted into CDSS majors.

According to an X post by electrical engineering and computer sciences, or EECS, Chair Jelani Nelson, EECS will graduate approximately 350 students next year, down from 1,029 in 2025, with enrollments having been “slashed primarily due to the high cost of instruction.”

Now, the comprehensive review process requires students to write additional essays and caps the number of students admitted to each major.

Sophomore Ylann Bouis, who was placed in the first batch and later accepted into computer science, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the comprehensive review process.

“I think one of the main issues with this entire comprehensive review process is that the CDSS hasn’t been completely transparent,” Bouis said. “I think one of the weaknesses of the CDSS program is that they need to be a lot more clear about how they’re actually accepting people and the timeline as a whole.”

Upon EECS completing its financial evaluation, the department proceeded to notify acceptances to the CS major for applicants in the “first batch” on Friday, April 3.

“It is worth noting that the emails students received varied and were tailored to each individual’s circumstances because students indicated different major preferences and priorities in their applications,” said Narges Norouzi, associate dean of students in CDSS, in an email response.

Freshman Michael Bai is in the “second batch” of applicants, which will receive final decisions from CDSS by June 1. He expressed worries that he will not receive his decision until after Phase 1 enrollment opens in mid-April. Enrollment in all upper division computer science classes, besides CS 168 and CS 188, are restricted to CS majors.

“I do think that the deadline and going through the process of officially changing your major and being able to take the classes will affect enrollment and what classes I’d be able to get, so I am a little concerned about that,” Bai said.

A sophomore, who was denied in the initial round of updates and requested anonymity since they plan to reapply next year, questioned why campus is capping the number of computer science majors.

“I was a little surprised that it feels like the school doesn’t really want everybody to study computer science,” the student said.