<p>Each selective school attempts to get a balanced class and that could include recruiting more heavily for females in STEM majors. You typically need to do more than indicate the major on the application since that indication is non-binding and poorly correlates with major on graduation. Rather, the schools are looking for particular depth in that major of interest (think AIME, Intel, State or National awards) to back up your interests. I think it is hard to “game the system” by indicating a desirable major. The adcoms have seen it all and are too savvy.</p>