How Does the University of California Major and Alternative Major Preference Work In Practice? Strategies?

Which specific majors are you talking about for Berkeley? Are you just referring to the different emphases within the MCB major in L&S? MCB is a non-impacted major and it would seem logical to simply apply for that one if that is where the student’s interests lie, but maybe I’m missing something (like, is your student also considering chemical biology in college of chemistry)?