One of the most exciting—and challenging—decisions in the college admissions process is choosing what to study. Some students begin the admissions process with a clear academic focus, having spent years developing a “hook” through clubs, extracurriculars, internships, summer activities, and passion projects. Others are left questioning which course of study is right for them—perhaps they have interdisciplinary interests that don’t seem to align with one particular major, or they are unsure of whether their academic passions align with their future career goals.
Whether a student is exploring potential majors, considering a dual degree, or pursuing an interdisciplinary path, their choice of major has strategic implications for their overall approach to the application process. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about major selection to help you craft a standout profile tailored to your intended field of study.
What should I major in?
Whether you’re applying to a liberal arts college or a pre-professional program, your major should represent the culmination of your academic and extracurricular involvements throughout your high school career. While you don’t need to be entirely certain about the profession you want to enter after college, you should have a clear sense of what problems you want to solve, discourses you want to be a part of, and topics that energize you. Colleges understand that your future is still taking shape, but they still expect to see a coherent and intentional narrative behind your major selection.
Therefore, the best way to start selecting your major is to consider your answers to questions such as: What subjects or assignments have most excited you in high school? What subjects have you taken the most advanced coursework in, and where have you excelled academically? What type of learner are you and what academic or nonacademic skills do you possess? What questions do you find yourself returning to again and again, even in other disciplines or settings? The major you choose will ideally rest at the intersection of your passions and skill set.
Students should keep in mind that the answers to these questions might lead them to a certain major indirectly. For instance, a student who has taken AP Chemistry, participated in science-related clubs and activities, and competed in rigorous science competitions may initially assume that they should pursue a major in Chemistry. But reflecting on their love of history, interest in material culture, and desire to spend time outside might lead them to major in historic preservation. Alternatively, a student with a similar academic and extracurricular profile who is more interested in problem-solving, medicine, and independent exploration might be better suited for pharmacology. Arriving at the right major is not only a matter of identifying which classes and activities have most compelled a student, but also critically examining why and how they have been invigorated by these subjects.
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For more information about how to develop your hook, as well as the different disciplinary paths you can take from hooks in business, literature, music, and medicine, check out Command Education’s Comprehensive Guide to the Hook and Passion Project!
What if I change my mind about what I want to study? Will colleges hold me to the major I indicate on my application?
Most liberal arts colleges will not require students to declare a major until the end of their sophomore year or beginning of their junior year. Other schools, however, will admit students to the major they indicate on their application. For instance, Cornell requires students to apply directly to the particular school in which their major is housed. Likewise, most U.K. universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, require students to apply to a specific school or program rather than the university in general. Not every college is understanding and flexible when it comes to switching your course of study, so it is imperative that you research the policies at each of the schools on your list.
A student who is not confident in their major selection might not be the best fit for a school with rigid requirements around major selection, as they may have to apply to another school within that university if they wish to change majors. This is particularly true if their new major of choice is not housed within the school to which they applied. For example, you might not have the option to study nursing as a business school student or classics as an engineering student. That being said, while you may not be able to switch to a major outside of the school of engineering, you will likely be able to switch to environmental engineering from bioengineering. Some schools also allow students to complete minors or certificates housed in other colleges. At NYU, for example, these are termed “Cross-School Minors.”
Should I apply undeclared?
Some students truly aren’t sure about what they want to study—in fact, most aren’t 100% sure, and that’s completely natural. But even if you are not entirely certain about the disciplinary path you want to take, you should not apply undecided.
Instead, view your intended major as a continuation of your hook. For instance, consider a student who’s clearly passionate about theater. He or she would be a strong applicant for a drama- or theater-related major because majors of this sort are clearly related to the hook they have worked so hard to cultivate through their extracurricular activities. This student could also apply to a business or entertainment program if their involvement in theater helped them realize that their passion is for the business of theater. In contrast, they would have trouble convincing their admissions officer of their passion for chemistry and desire to work as a research scientist in the future.
If you’re not sure about what you want to study, you should apply to schools that will allow you flexibility in choosing your major and avoid applying to those where you’ll have trouble accessing a plethora of different academic opportunities. The key to choosing your major will be taking many different types of classes in a variety of disciplines until you find one—or two—majors that feel right for you!
Should I apply to an unpopular major?
If you ask many high school students what they plan to major in, you’ll likely get similar responses: economics, psychology, engineering, biology, and so on. Given the popularity of certain majors, many students wonder whether applying to majors that are less popular or more obscure will give them a boost in the eyes of the admissions officers—less competition, better chances, right?
The truth is that it’s not quite so simple. Applying to more niche programs can be a strategic route to take—admissions officers might be more interested in a male English applicant or an applicant to a niche, interdisciplinary program than another poly sci major. At the same time, there are two major factors to consider when deciding whether or not to apply to a less popular major:
Whether you’ve demonstrated interest in the major you indicate on your application
Colleges seek to admit applicants who have demonstrated compelling and tangible engagement with their area of study over time. Though your intended major does not always have to be directly related to your hook, it should at least be tangentially related to your activities and the classes you have taken. If you have not dedicated the time and effort to building an applicant narrative tailored to the field you wish to pursue, applying to an obscure or less common major will likely hurt—rather than help—your odds of admission.
Whether you truly understand the program or you’re just applying because it’s less common.
If you choose to apply as a physics major because you think that the school is likely to receive fewer applications to its science department when you actually want to study political science, your admissions officer is going to see right through this strategy. Particularly if you are applying to a unique or niche major, it’s critical to show admissions officers that you understand the program’s nuances and have a clearly articulated reason for choosing that path over a broader or general degree.
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“One student came to me with the intention of applying for political science or sociology (two of the most popular majors) but had no activities that aligned with either discipline. Through our work together, I encouraged them to hone in on what specifically interested them about these disciplines. As we identified the most compelling aspects of these general fields, the student arrived at a completely different major altogether: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, a niche interdisciplinary major that isn’t commonly offered. Few students apply for it annually because they don’t even know it exists. The student excelled in the admissions landscape not only because they applied to a niche program, but because they did their research and arrived at their decision through thoughtful introspection and a depth of knowledge about how their interests aligned with that degree path.
As students seek to discover the right disciplinary fit for them, they can start with a broad field and dig deep and find their niche within that general subject. A student might begin with a broad interest in biology and discover that they are truly interested in conservation science or begin with music and discover they are actually interested in sound design. Many universities have created more specific, interdisciplinary majors under the umbrella of broader disciplines, and admissions officers often prioritize applicants who show specific interest in these programs over those who pursue the more general, popular majors.” —Senior Mentor Erin
Ultimately, the major you apply to tells a story about your academic and extracurricular passions, as well as how collegiate study will help you achieve your future goals. Students should begin thinking critically early in their high school career about the specific disciplinary niche they want to enter and how they will build a dynamic and compelling profile that attests to their hands-on experience in their field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least popular major?
The answer to this question depends on the school to which you are applying. Some schools have particular strengths in one subject area. For example, Georgia Tech is a tech school, so many students attend to study engineering, and the humanities and the social sciences are less commonly selected as primary majors. So, English is an unpopular major at Georgia Tech. On the other hand, electrical engineering may be popular at Georgia Tech but uncommon at a more liberal arts-focused college.
Does your choice of major affect your chance of getting accepted to college?
Your choice of major can influence your admissions odds, but it depends on the school and how they evaluate applications. At some universities, students are admitted directly into their intended major, which means some majors may be more competitive than others. Even at liberal arts colleges, where you’re often not required to declare a major until later, your stated academic interests can still influence admissions decisions. For example, if a school receives thousands of applications for political science each year but far fewer for classics or comparative literature, a student with a demonstrated interest in a less common field may stand out more. At the same time, students should note that demonstrated interest in the field and a compelling applicant narrative can make or break their application, so it is not enough to simply choose an obscure major and hope it will improve your chances of acceptance.
Will applying to an unpopular major boost my chances of getting into college?
No, not necessarily! As explained above, the best way to boost your chances of getting into college is to develop a strong hook that allows you to demonstrate curiosity for and achievements in a particular subject or field of study!
Can applying to an unpopular major hurt my chances of getting into college?
Yes, as admissions officers will most likely be able to tell if you are applying to a major that is completely unrelated to your hook, passions, and interests as a workaround!
