Major choice and strategic positioning

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From another post, how many senior parents (or their paid college counselors) evaluated the benefits of applying to different majors strategically for T25 selective schools? Or other junior parents: how are you thinking about the below?

For example, your kid was interested in a major in arts & sciences like psychology or maybe biology. But because bio is oversubscribed and psychology is a more common (soon to be oversubscribed) major, and the kid also showed a real academic, personal, and EC interest in Asian American history (LOR from history teacher, school's history club, special project or paper, national history day stuff, personal family tie, etc.), then did you have your kid apply for what would have originally been a 2nd or 3rd choice (Asian American Studies) as the first choice/stated major (knowing that in arts & sciences, you are generally free to move around)?

I understand you can't "fake" this. But I'm talking about a non-STEM kid interested in 2 or 3 majors in arts & sciences. If your kid considered this, did you research how many majors graduate each year from these majors for each of your reach schools? Assuming competitive stats and rigor obviously which is always the first bar.
1. And what was the outcome in REA/ED and RD?
2. What worked and didn't work for your kid?
3. Did you look at all of the Tableau or college raptor data for each college's graduating majors to figure out which majors are "undersubscribed"?
4. Any resources you might suggest?

https://www.berkeley2academy.com/single-post/major-selection-is-a-major-deal-how-to-strategize-for-college-applications

I have no way of validating the data, but the way I would do this if my high school couldn’t help is to sign up for a free Niche.com account and look at the admissions spreadsheets you can see with the free account.

This is how I figured out that it was idiotic to apply to most schools as an engineering or bio major if you have any other useful options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I know who got into Ivies went in as “undecided”.

that's maybe what they put on the IG and social media. I know DC won't put what DC applied as and will likely put "undecided" bc these ethnic/field studies can be looked down upon....

At our private, the successful Ivy and Ivy+ early admits were below - not our CCO highly recommends these niche majors too with good to great outcomes (assuming ample evidence for major):

Anthro
Archeology
Art History
Chicana/Latino Studies
Classics
Comparative Lit
English
History
Iranian Studies
Jewish Studies
Medieval Studies
Phil
Sociology
Women's/Gender Studies

Great list. But keep in mind that English and history, despite a decline the past few decades, are doing OK; their major counts are much higher than the other majors listed. Philosophy is also not as undersubscribed as many people think. History and, especially, philosophy, are also majority male.

All things being equal, with ample evidence for major, does an Archeology major at Brown or a Medieval studies major at Stanford have a better shot than Applied math or economics?

Not aware of if Stanford has decent medieval studies, though I know they have great humanities. But the answer to the spirit of your question is an unequivocal yes.

One reason is that a student who can even make a sort of plausible case for an applying as a medieval history majors is going to look like a culturally literate, engaged student.

Plenty of CS students aren’t, too, but no selective school wants the kinds of money-minded CS majors who’ve dutifully done what their parents told them to do, without joy, and then watched TV when they weren’t following the commands of their elders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From another post, how many senior parents (or their paid college counselors) evaluated the benefits of applying to different majors strategically for T25 selective schools? Or other junior parents: how are you thinking about the below?

For example, your kid was interested in a major in arts & sciences like psychology or maybe biology. But because bio is oversubscribed and psychology is a more common (soon to be oversubscribed) major, and the kid also showed a real academic, personal, and EC interest in Asian American history (LOR from history teacher, school's history club, special project or paper, national history day stuff, personal family tie, etc.), then did you have your kid apply for what would have originally been a 2nd or 3rd choice (Asian American Studies) as the first choice/stated major (knowing that in arts & sciences, you are generally free to move around)?

I understand you can't "fake" this. But I'm talking about a non-STEM kid interested in 2 or 3 majors in arts & sciences. If your kid considered this, did you research how many majors graduate each year from these majors for each of your reach schools? Assuming competitive stats and rigor obviously which is always the first bar.
1. And what was the outcome in REA/ED and RD?
2. What worked and didn't work for your kid?
3. Did you look at all of the Tableau or college raptor data for each college's graduating majors to figure out which majors are "undersubscribed"?
4. Any resources you might suggest?

https://www.berkeley2academy.com/single-post/major-selection-is-a-major-deal-how-to-strategize-for-college-applications

I have no way of validating the data, but the way I would do this if my high school couldn’t help is to sign up for a free Niche.com account and look at the admissions spreadsheets you can see with the free account.

This is how I figured out that it was idiotic to apply to most schools as an engineering or bio major if you have any other useful options.

What is an "admissions spreadsheet"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I know who got into Ivies went in as “undecided”.

that's maybe what they put on the IG and social media. I know DC won't put what DC applied as and will likely put "undecided" bc these ethnic/field studies can be looked down upon....

At our private, the successful Ivy and Ivy+ early admits were below - not our CCO highly recommends these niche majors too with good to great outcomes (assuming ample evidence for major):

Anthro
Archeology
Art History
Chicana/Latino Studies
Classics
Comparative Lit
English
History
Iranian Studies
Jewish Studies
Medieval Studies
Phil
Sociology
Women's/Gender Studies

Great list. But keep in mind that English and history, despite a decline the past few decades, are doing OK; their major counts are much higher than the other majors listed. Philosophy is also not as undersubscribed as many people think. History and, especially, philosophy, are also majority male.

All things being equal, with ample evidence for major, does an Archeology major at Brown or a Medieval studies major at Stanford have a better shot than Applied math or economics?

Not aware of if Stanford has decent medieval studies, though I know they have great humanities. But the answer to the spirit of your question is an unequivocal yes.

Stanford does indeed have that department.

OK, but be prepared to say why Notre Dame is not the first choice — as it is unrivaled in North America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I know who got into Ivies went in as “undecided”.

that's maybe what they put on the IG and social media. I know DC won't put what DC applied as and will likely put "undecided" bc these ethnic/field studies can be looked down upon....

At our private, the successful Ivy and Ivy+ early admits were below - not our CCO highly recommends these niche majors too with good to great outcomes (assuming ample evidence for major):

Anthro
Archeology
Art History
Chicana/Latino Studies
Classics
Comparative Lit
English
History
Iranian Studies
Jewish Studies
Medieval Studies
Phil
Sociology
Women's/Gender Studies

The list seems incomplete, it should include business, a vocational type major

Most business majors go to state flagships not Ivy or Ivy +. The benefit of an Ivy degree is you can major in ANYTHING and still get a job at Goldman Sachs, Blackstone or KKR if you want it.

Yeah, that’s not really true anymore. There are a few (often well-connected) exceptions, but you pretty much need to major in Econ or something quantitative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I know who got into Ivies went in as “undecided”.

that's maybe what they put on the IG and social media. I know DC won't put what DC applied as and will likely put "undecided" bc these ethnic/field studies can be looked down upon....

At our private, the successful Ivy and Ivy+ early admits were below - not our CCO highly recommends these niche majors too with good to great outcomes (assuming ample evidence for major):

Anthro
Archeology
Art History
Chicana/Latino Studies
Classics
Comparative Lit
English
History
Iranian Studies
Jewish Studies
Medieval Studies
Phil
Sociology
Women's/Gender Studies

The list seems incomplete, it should include business, a vocational type major

Most business majors go to state flagships not Ivy or Ivy +. The benefit of an Ivy degree is you can major in ANYTHING and still get a job at Goldman Sachs, Blackstone or KKR if you want it.

Ugh, wish I had known this!!! Dc applied as business major to USC and Georgetown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I know who got into Ivies went in as “undecided”.

that's maybe what they put on the IG and social media. I know DC won't put what DC applied as and will likely put "undecided" bc these ethnic/field studies can be looked down upon....

At our private, the successful Ivy and Ivy+ early admits were below - not our CCO highly recommends these niche majors too with good to great outcomes (assuming ample evidence for major):

Anthro
Archeology
Art History
Chicana/Latino Studies
Classics
Comparative Lit
English
History
Iranian Studies
Jewish Studies
Medieval Studies
Phil
Sociology
Women's/Gender Studies

The list seems incomplete, it should include business, a vocational type major

Most business majors go to state flagships not Ivy or Ivy +. The benefit of an Ivy degree is you can major in ANYTHING and still get a job at Goldman Sachs, Blackstone or KKR if you want it.

Ugh, wish I had known this!!! Dc applied as business major to USC and Georgetown.

Harder major to get into. Was your DC deferred?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I know who got into Ivies went in as “undecided”.

that's maybe what they put on the IG and social media. I know DC won't put what DC applied as and will likely put "undecided" bc these ethnic/field studies can be looked down upon....

At our private, the successful Ivy and Ivy+ early admits were below - not our CCO highly recommends these niche majors too with good to great outcomes (assuming ample evidence for major):

Anthro
Archeology
Art History
Chicana/Latino Studies
Classics
Comparative Lit
English
History
Iranian Studies
Jewish Studies
Medieval Studies
Phil
Sociology
Women's/Gender Studies

Great list. But keep in mind that English and history, despite a decline the past few decades, are doing OK; their major counts are much higher than the other majors listed. Philosophy is also not as undersubscribed as many people think. History and, especially, philosophy, are also majority male.

All things being equal, with ample evidence for major, does an Archeology major at Brown or a Medieval studies major at Stanford have a better shot than Applied math or economics?

Not aware of if Stanford has decent medieval studies, though I know they have great humanities. But the answer to the spirit of your question is an unequivocal yes.

One reason is that a student who can even make a sort of plausible case for an applying as a medieval history majors is going to look like a culturally literate, engaged student.

Plenty of CS students aren’t, too, but no selective school wants the kinds of money-minded CS majors who’ve dutifully done what their parents told them to do, without joy, and then watched TV when they weren’t following the commands of their elders.

Sadly I agree with this. Also likely this kid would be able to speak to a lot of different topics. Valuable liberal arts perspectives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone at our private does this. CCO advises.

This is very common at our private. The CCO helps with this extensively.

Same

W schools do this too.

Ha ha!

[Anonymous]

So we didn’t hire a college counselor to tell us this but myDS who wants to go to med school - but also has an interest in a less popular science and wanted to continue o take some classes in Latin/classics - intentionally applied indicating interest in the less popular science and a double major or minor in classics.

He got in ED.

I think it helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I know who got into Ivies went in as “undecided”.

that's maybe what they put on the IG and social media. I know DC won't put what DC applied as and will likely put "undecided" bc these ethnic/field studies can be looked down upon....

At our private, the successful Ivy and Ivy+ early admits were below - not our CCO highly recommends these niche majors too with good to great outcomes (assuming ample evidence for major):

Anthro
Archeology
Art History
Chicana/Latino Studies
Classics
Comparative Lit
English
History
Iranian Studies
Jewish Studies
Medieval Studies
Phil
Sociology
Women's/Gender Studies

Great list. But keep in mind that English and history, despite a decline the past few decades, are doing OK; their major counts are much higher than the other majors listed. Philosophy is also not as undersubscribed as many people think. History and, especially, philosophy, are also majority male.

All things being equal, with ample evidence for major, does an Archeology major at Brown or a Medieval studies major at Stanford have a better shot than Applied math or economics?

Not aware of if Stanford has decent medieval studies, though I know they have great humanities. But the answer to the spirit of your question is an unequivocal yes.

One reason is that a student who can even make a sort of plausible case for an applying as a medieval history majors is going to look like a culturally literate, engaged student.

Plenty of CS students aren’t, too, but no selective school wants the kinds of money-minded CS majors who’ve dutifully done what their parents told them to do, without joy, and then watched TV when they weren’t following the commands of their elders.

Ouch. Why so angry towards CS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So we didn’t hire a college counselor to tell us this but myDS who wants to go to med school - but also has an interest in a less popular science and wanted to continue o take some classes in Latin/classics - intentionally applied indicating interest in the less popular science and a double major or minor in classics.

He got in ED.

I think it helps.

Interesting.
What was the less popular science major? What school?

[Anonymous]

If Med schools is the objective, by far the best course of action is to look outside of T50

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Med schools is the objective, by far the best course of action is to look outside of T50

most of the strong (and often Asian) female candidates on App Nation are often advised women's studies/public health. the do VERY VERY well in the T20 private admissions process. Strong candidates from a pure metrics perspective to begin with, but major selection is a critical part of that platform.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I know who got into Ivies went in as “undecided”.

that's maybe what they put on the IG and social media. I know DC won't put what DC applied as and will likely put "undecided" bc these ethnic/field studies can be looked down upon....

At our private, the successful Ivy and Ivy+ early admits were below - not our CCO highly recommends these niche majors too with good to great outcomes (assuming ample evidence for major):

Anthro
Archeology
Art History
Chicana/Latino Studies
Classics
Comparative Lit
English
History
Iranian Studies
Jewish Studies
Medieval Studies
Phil
Sociology
Women's/Gender Studies

The list seems incomplete, it should include business, a vocational type major

Most business majors go to state flagships not Ivy or Ivy +. The benefit of an Ivy degree is you can major in ANYTHING and still get a job at Goldman Sachs, Blackstone or KKR if you want it.

Ugh, wish I had known this!!! Dc applied as business major to USC and Georgetown.

Harder major to get into. Was your DC deferred?

Yeah, Georgetown McDonough or USC Marshall are way better options for this than being a Harvard classics major…