Will choosing a specific department or major improve your chances?

Admissions officers are well aware of the fact that you can apply for one major and change to any other major that is within the college you have been admitted to once you start. I’ve heard a number of college admission officers (including some from Ivy and equivalent schools) say that they don’t pay much attention to intended major in the admission process since about half of the applicants apply undecided and about 50% of those coming in with a designated major end up switching it while they are at college.

There could be an exception if a student has a long standing and very strong demonstrated history of interest/aptitude (perhaps through ECs, research, classes etc.) in some obscure major.

Keep in mind that any ploy you come up with to try to get an edge in admissions, college adcoms have seen thousands of times over. IMO your time would be better spent searching out a group of reach, match, and safety schools based on your academic stats that appear affordable and that you would be happy to attend.