You’re breezing through your college applications, and then this seemingly life-changing question stops you in your tracks: what is your intended major? Maybe you feel pretty certain about checking off “Biology” or “Marketing and Communications” or “Civil Engineering.” Maybe you have no idea what you want to major in and you’re ready to say “undecided” and leave it at that. There really isn’t a wrong answer here. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to declaring a major (or not) on your applications. And you should know what those pros and cons are because they can have a big impact. On what? Keep reading.
What does declaring a major on your college application actually mean?
Typically, declaring a major on your application is basically saying to admission folks, “Hey, I’m really interested in this subject.” It shows you're ready to commit to a career path. (Don't worry! If you change your major later, that's okay.) This tends to be true at liberal arts schools in particular, like Grinnell College. “The majors students list on their applications have no bearing on admission to the college,” says former Director of Admission Gregory W. Sneed. “The fact that a student lists an intended major on their application tells us a little about the student’s academic interests, but we don't put much stock in it.” It’s similar at Scripps College, says Director of Admission Laura Stratton. She points out that most students simply haven’t experienced enough yet to make an informed major choice when they’re applying. And a lot of colleges take that into account. However, sometimes declaring a major on your college apps is more serious. It can be the same as saying, “I want a spot in this program at your school. Not that program. This one.” When that’s the case, your application will be judged against all the other students interested in that specific program, and you could be making a pretty serious commitment to that academic path.
You'll find some colleges out there that require students to declare a major (or a first-choice major and some backups) right away and some that encourage students to remain undecided for a year or two. It varies from school to school—and it’s up to you to figure out where your potential colleges stand. “Be aware of the admission process and options at the schools you are considering,” advises college admission consultant Eddie LaMeire. “For instance, the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign has a tremendous Computer Science program. It's also very competitive. However, UIUC allows students to be considered for admission into general studies in the event they're not admitted to their first-choice major. Conversely, in the case of University of California, Berkeley, students have one chance at a major. In the event that they apply to the College of Engineering and they’re denied, there’s no safety net of an alternate major to be admitted to.”
Related: 4 Expert Tips for Choosing Your Best–Fit College Major
Declaring a major
Luckily, a little online sleuthing or a phone call to the admission office might be all it takes to figure out how your colleges consider declared majors. Then, once you know, you can make an informed decision. Beyond that, here are some general pros and cons for declaring a major or going in undecided.
Declaring pros
You probably have at least some inkling of what you want to study, and declaring a major might make you a more attractive candidate to your colleges, both for acceptance and financial aid. If you’re declaring an underrepresented major or you’re an underrepresented candidate in your major, the school may be even more likely to admit you. Another big advantage to declaring a major is eligibility for major-specific scholarships. These could be awarded through the college, or you may find scholarships through outside organizations. There's also the potential option available of living in special major-specific campus housing. Declaring a major can also be especially helpful if you’re interested in a program that dives into its specific coursework early on. For example, many Engineering programs include major prerequisite classes as early as freshman year. So if you’re considering such a major, you’re probably better off declaring it when you apply, because catching up with the prereqs and transferring into the program later may be difficult.
Having a specific major in mind can also help strengthen your overall college application. You can showcase your sincere interest in your major through the activities you list and your application essay. For example, a future Business major could write about any side hustles they’ve started. You’ll give admission reps a clear picture of the kind of student you’ll be and make a strong case for a spot in their freshman class. “Noting your intended major on a college application is generally a good idea because it shows admission committees that you have a firm direction and plan for the future,” says Stephen Black, former Head Mentor at the admission consulting firm Admissionado. “Even if you’re not 100% sure that this will be your major, and virtually nobody is certain, it nevertheless shows that you're interested in exploring a particular field.”
Declaring cons
In some cases, declaring a major on your college apps can complicate things. On the one hand, declaring can help you distinguish yourself. “This is particularly true in the case of students applying to majors in Engineering, Business, Fine Arts, and other competitive fields,” says LaMeire. On the other hand, in those same competitive majors, admission standards like test scores, high school course rigor, and math abilities tend to be higher. So you’ll probably be up against more competitive applicants too, she adds.
Stratton says a declared major can sometimes have a stronger impact on your college trajectory than you might want as well. When colleges require students to declare a major when applying, it may be difficult to change majors after enrolling, she says. That’s not to say you can’t change your mind at all; in fact, if your admission credentials weren’t up to snuff to get into a more competitive major the first time around, you can spend a year improving your GPA to try to get in later—but there’s also no guarantee a spot will be open. If you have questions, talk to admission reps at the schools you’re considering. Ask questions like:
- What happens when students want to transfer into a particular major?
- Are spaces limited?
- Do students still tend to graduate on time?
And remember, even if you think you know what you want to major in, it’s still good to keep an open mind. You just might end up changing your major anyway. In fact, an estimated 50%–70% of students change their major at least once. As Sneed says, “College is a time to explore your interests.”
Related: Picking the Right Major: How Close Is Close Enough?
Applying to college undecided
Don’t know what you want to major in? All the experts agree: that’s okay! “There are some students who have their lives planned out from the time they are in middle school. But the majority of students need a little more time than high school to figure out their academic interest and their professional focus,” LaMeire says.
Undecided pros
If you do need more time, “it’s recommended that you show a high level of interest in future academic exploration” on your college application, according to Black. This means demonstrating your motivation in other ways—by earning high grades, demonstrating extracurricular involvement, and discussing your future goals in your application essay. The essay is a great place to show your true colors if you’re undecided. You can even write about how you’re undecided because you have multiple interests and know that this college is the perfect place to explore them—because it's true! Going to college undecided allows you to explore your interests to find the major that truly fits. You can take classes, talk to students and professors, and join clubs to get a feel for all your options.
Some research even suggests students might be better off if they’re undecided. Graduating in four years is a big deal since it saves time and money. That's why many schools offer specific courses and other resources to help undeclared students make a decision once they get there. The University of Cincinnati has a Center for Exploratory Studies, one of many similar programs found at colleges all over the country. Since statistics show that you’re fairly likely to change your major anyway, going in undecided can be a good way to take control of your academic destiny.
Undecided cons
Many of the cons of being undecided are just the opposite of the pros of declaring a major: you may lose out on a space in a competitive major and major-specific scholarships or housing programs. It’s also important to remember that being undecided isn’t just a free pass to do whatever you want. You really do need to have some ideas and a plan in mind for exploring and declaring a major eventually—or it can cost you. If you wait too long to declare a major, you might miss courses you need to fulfill the degree requirements or end up taking classes you can’t apply to your degree. You’ll then need to spend more time and money making up those credits. If you work with your academic advisor (and/or the major exploration program at your school), you should be fine. But it is work, and you’ll need to be ready for it.
Related: Making the Most of Your Academic Advisor
At the end of the day, make sure you do your research and keep your eyes on the prize: finding a college that fits you and your future goals. “The college search process is just that,” Stratton says. “It’s a student’s opportunity to move through a process—and get to know themselves better while doing it—searching for a college (and a major!) that is right for them.”
If you want to start exploring your options now and have a good time doing it, check out our blog on 4 Interesting Ways to Help You Find Your College Major!
