Is an undeclared major only OK if it's a safety?

[Anonymous]

My DC, rising senior, is a more average student (3.5W GPA in public NoVA school, 1200 SAT).

They do not know what they want to major in at this point. Lots of interests, including business, psychology, communications, etc.

Is it a kiss of death acceptance-wise if they choose "undecided" at a school where it is already a reach? Are they better off just choosing something, knowing they can change it later?

I know it's hard to move into business as a major in some schools so we won't be, say, hoping to get into the business school in a school like Indiana Kelley. Just wondered what the strategy or thought process should be for their target or reach schools.

Example: for Delaware, which is more reach/target for them - should they put business? psych? undeclared? My gut says Psychology and they've taken AP Psych, but welcome those with knowledge on this.

[Anonymous]

Psychology is one of the most competitive undergraduate majors in the US at the moment. Unless your kid got an A in the class and a 5 on the exam and has lots of EC related to the subject, they should avoid it.

Easier admits include Biology, History, Sociology

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Psychology is one of the most competitive undergraduate majors in the US at the moment. Unless your kid got an A in the class and a 5 on the exam and has lots of EC related to the subject, they should avoid it.

Easier admits include Biology, History, Sociology

Biology is full of cut throat premed bound. It's way over subscribed. It's a big no no.

[Anonymous]

if # of students coming from outside the US drops, maybe more US educated students will apply for Bio? But then AI is coming for all majors.

[Anonymous]

Do undecided. Your kid doesn’t know, so why force them into a major of no interest? Plus business and psychology will make entry harder at most schools.

[Anonymous]

Good to know on psychology. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Psychology is one of the most competitive undergraduate majors in the US at the moment. Unless your kid got an A in the class and a 5 on the exam and has lots of EC related to the subject, they should avoid it.

Easier admits include Biology, History, Sociology

Biology is full of cut throat premed bound. It's way over subscribed. It's a big no no.

It's still a much easier admit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good to know on psychology. Thank you.

You're welcome.

If there are specific colleges that your kid is interested in, you may find data on their admissions pages about numbers of applicants / offers by subject. Not all of them have this but I found the UC's had some.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC, rising senior, is a more average student (3.5W GPA in public NoVA school, 1200 SAT).

They do not know what they want to major in at this point. Lots of interests, including business, psychology, communications, etc.

Is it a kiss of death acceptance-wise if they choose "undecided" at a school where it is already a reach? Are they better off just choosing something, knowing they can change it later?

I know it's hard to move into business as a major in some schools so we won't be, say, hoping to get into the business school in a school like Indiana Kelley. Just wondered what the strategy or thought process should be for their target or reach schools.

Example: for Delaware, which is more reach/target for them - should they put business? psych? undeclared? My gut says Psychology and they've taken AP Psych, but welcome those with knowledge on this.

NOVA for a year or two, save a ton of cash and figure out what he wants to major in or if he really even wants to go to college.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I know this is a route but my kid would like to have the 4 year live away from home college experience. Not going to spend 90k a year, but we can afford several different scenarios and costs are not the only variable here.

Also, they really are ready for college, they just don’t know what they want to study and aren’t the typical high stats kid talked about on DCUM.