Applying for unpopular major help with admissions?

[Anonymous]

Feeding off a comment in a different thread…
Does applying for an unpopular major help with admissions? Has anyone’s kid done this? Of course, the kid would actually want to study this (or switch at some point I guess?). Junior parent here and we have not paid any attention to this as of yet. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It helps a bit to apply for anything other than STEM, but only if the kid's coursework and activities support that interest. College AOs aren't stupid.

[Anonymous]

It can, but be aware they might be stuck with it, and unable to transfer out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can, but be aware they might be stuck with it, and unable to transfer out.

Yes, especially if they actually want CS or Engineering.

[Anonymous]

This is where a private counselor comes in handy.
We are trying it this year, but my kids’ interests are adjacent so somewhat natural.
And we started focusing on this narrative at the end of freshman year, and it was quite easy to pivot and more authentic.

Truthfully, anything other than computer, science, engineering or business if you are male will help.

For females, it has to be obscure majors in the humanities if they want to be humanities majors (leave the history and political science stuff behind and try and find something a bit more niche).

These are pointed questions to either ask your schools’ college counselor, or hire private person to help you navigate. This is where the money is well worth it.

[Anonymous]

If all their extracurriculars are STEM (robotics, coding, etc.) and they apply to be a ancient languages major admissions will see through it in a heartbeat.

So I think you not only have to add in extracurriculars that support the intended major, you have to subtract things that heavily support something else.

It doesn't help to say "hey I wrote in the school paper" for a Lit major if they kid then spent 90% of their free time coding.

[Anonymous]

My DD is thinking about it. She has the history and art classes and ECs to support an interest in Art History. She really wants something along the lines of finance or accounting with an fine arts minor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If all their extracurriculars are STEM (robotics, coding, etc.) and they apply to be a ancient languages major admissions will see through it in a heartbeat.

So I think you not only have to add in extracurriculars that support the intended major, you have to subtract things that heavily support something else.

It doesn't help to say "hey I wrote in the school paper" for a Lit major if they kid then spent 90% of their free time coding.

Agree.
But that’s where minor comes in handy too. And you have to start early and go deep. And it requires a ton of research.
It’s not easy… but our private schools college counseling office is telling juniors to leave the computer science and engineering majors behind.

Find some thing else bc it’s way too difficult. Especially if you want a selective school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It helps a bit to apply for anything other than STEM, but only if the kid's coursework and activities support that interest. College AOs aren't stupid.

That will not work if the STEM majors are direct admit only. Doesn't help to be a University X as a English major if your kid wants to be a STEM major and has little chance to change to the major they want.
Also, as you stated, if your kid's ECs are Robotics, coding club, and volunteering to teach kids to code, they won't buy that your kid wants to be an English major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is where a private counselor comes in handy.
We are trying it this year, but my kids’ interests are adjacent so somewhat natural.
And we started focusing on this narrative at the end of freshman year, and it was quite easy to pivot and more authentic.

Truthfully, anything other than computer, science, engineering or business if you are male will help.

For females, it has to be obscure majors in the humanities if they want to be humanities majors (leave the history and political science stuff behind and try and find something a bit more niche).

These are pointed questions to either ask your schools’ college counselor, or hire private person to help you navigate. This is where the money is well worth it.

Best to use that private counselor to help your kid find a school that is the best fit for them. There are plenty of excellent schools that are NOT direct admit to Engineering/CS. Your kid is admitted to the school and can then self select any MAJOR they want. Only requirements are typically, you need at least a C or C+ in the first 2-3 courses in the major's requirements. My own kid was admitted to 5 in ranked 30-70 just like that. My kid can become a business major, an art history major, engineering, CS, phsyics, math, etc....whatever they desire. Much less stress and allows them the flexibility to change their mind (like majority of college kids do). So even within engineering, they can easily switch to any major---not like that at many schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is where a private counselor comes in handy.
We are trying it this year, but my kids’ interests are adjacent so somewhat natural.
And we started focusing on this narrative at the end of freshman year, and it was quite easy to pivot and more authentic.

Truthfully, anything other than computer, science, engineering or business if you are male will help.

For females, it has to be obscure majors in the humanities if they want to be humanities majors (leave the history and political science stuff behind and try and find something a bit more niche).

These are pointed questions to either ask your schools’ college counselor, or hire private person to help you navigate. This is where the money is well worth it.

Best to use that private counselor to help your kid find a school that is the best fit for them. There are plenty of excellent schools that are NOT direct admit to Engineering/CS. Your kid is admitted to the school and can then self select any MAJOR they want. Only requirements are typically, you need at least a C or C+ in the first 2-3 courses in the major's requirements. My own kid was admitted to 5 in ranked 30-70 just like that. My kid can become a business major, an art history major, engineering, CS, phsyics, math, etc....whatever they desire. Much less stress and allows them the flexibility to change their mind (like majority of college kids do). So even within engineering, they can easily switch to any major---not like that at many schools.

So curious...which schools???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It helps a bit to apply for anything other than STEM, but only if the kid's coursework and activities support that interest. College AOs aren't stupid.

That will not work if the STEM majors are direct admit only. Doesn't help to be a University X as a English major if your kid wants to be a STEM major and has little chance to change to the major they want.
Also, as you stated, if your kid's ECs are Robotics, coding club, and volunteering to teach kids to code, they won't buy that your kid wants to be an English major.

PP didn't say anything about switching to stem, so that works just fine. You are suggesting something different with more devious intentions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is thinking about it. She has the history and art classes and ECs to support an interest in Art History. She really wants something along the lines of finance or accounting with an fine arts minor

DD is similar, but fine arts with marketing / business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It helps a bit to apply for anything other than STEM, but only if the kid's coursework and activities support that interest. College AOs aren't stupid.

That will not work if the STEM majors are direct admit only. Doesn't help to be a University X as a English major if your kid wants to be a STEM major and has little chance to change to the major they want.
Also, as you stated, if your kid's ECs are Robotics, coding club, and volunteering to teach kids to code, they won't buy that your kid wants to be an English major.

PP didn't say anything about switching to stem, so that works just fine. You are suggesting something different with more devious intentions.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone saying this takes a lot of research, but it’s not as hard as people think.

Research schools that your kid is interested to find their very newest majors or minors or other special programs.

For newly formed departments or majors, colleges are often looking for as many new student participants as possible.

Read the school newspapers religiously….