Applying to College? Choose Your Major Wisely.
Not so long ago, most students picked a major to put on their college applications using a reasonable approximation of what they might want to study, with their classroom experiences as a guide. Most also felt confident that they could change their minds once (or more!), so the stakes felt low. But those days are long gone. A student with dreams of becoming a doctor but no research or lab experience beyond the classroom might not want to apply to selective colleges as a prospective biology major, and if they do, they will want a robust safety net. Nor can an applicant confidently apply for selective engineering or business programs without strong SAT or ACT scores, even at test-optional colleges. Clients are always surprised to learn the importance of major selection when applying to college, but this is where a little strategic thinking can go a long way.
It will not be shocking to learn that majors in engineering, life sciences, and business tend to be the most impacted–after all, these fields lead to potentially lucrative careers. But parents and students often underestimate the impact of a competitive major selection on a student’s admissions prospects–often, a “target” school becomes a “reach,” a “likely” a “target,” and so on. Therefore, when considering their major, students need to evaluate their competitiveness not just for the school, but for the program. In addition to the recommended scores and grades, do they have documented experience in the given area, from internships to paid research to publications?
But what if a student isn’t the most competitive for the major they’re interested in? What should they do then?
To start, students whose academic profile doesn’t support a competitive major should consider an alternative program, especially at the most selective colleges on their list. What related programs might increase their odds of admission while still aligning with their interests? Could they apply into physics instead of engineering? Communications or economics instead of business? Public health or global health instead of biology? Another strategy would be to look at majors in different fields entirely, and decide if a humanities or language program might be worth exploring. However, the student must bear in mind that they still need to present a convincing argument to support their interest in a given area, especially if the school requires a written statement about their academic goals.
You might be wondering how a student can better understand which major to select at which college, and how to ensure that those choices align with their interests, college list, and long-term goals. The first step is to research their colleges with the goal of finding answers to the following questions:
How difficult is it to change majors?
Can I transfer between colleges within the university and how difficult is that process?
Can I take courses in the [X] department, even as a non-major? And if so, will I be able to get these classes without standing in that department?
Regardless of what I indicate for my prospective major, do I start at this school as an undecided student, in pre-major status, or enrolled in my program of interest?
It’s also important to note the following:
Some colleges do not consider major selection in their admissions process, which can be advantageous for both undecided students and those with a strong interest in an area but no pre-college experience.
It’s extremely common for students to switch majors, and, with the exception of just a few schools, doing so in the first two years of college is generally doable!
Post-graduate programs generally do not require that students have majored in a specific area. Medical, business, and law school applicants can come from many different academic backgrounds; in fact, sometimes this can be an asset.
For all students, the undergraduate years are an excellent time to explore across disciplines.
By using a little foresight and combining strategy with thoughtful research, students can maximize their outcomes, pursue their interests, and pave the way for an enriching college experience.
