Anonymous wrote:All of these decisions made me realize most of the kids who got in declared obscure or "easier" majors. I feel bad I didn't know about this loophole as this is my first kid.

He declared business for all! Feeling so dumb. Has gotten into some good schools and deferred at others.

But deferred at top choices. One school he is waiting on is TX. If he's denied which I expect, he can appeal. Would it make sense to appeal to change his major to Econ? He's doing well in it and enjoying. Or is it better to just stick w business at another school?

I guess the allure of TX for many is McComb?

This is not exactly true. Yes, most kids accepted did not declare business (unless Babson) because most schools are comprised of a variety of majors. The schools don't want all business majors. Also, it is misguided and arrogant to think other majors are "easier. " Would your kid really thrive in fine art or pure math or writing or music? Those are all tough. I can't believe you are considering dishonesty over this. Your kid did not demonstrate that he will add enough to tge class to warrant admission. If he wants to do something, he should win some awards or gain an achievement to update his app. Not lie. That is ridiculous. Also, there are plenty of great schools.

My kid did get into a top school in amajor with overabundant applicants -- engineering. But, they also had excellent ECs and awards in stem and arts. And, they spent a lot of time on essays and had great grades and test scores. And, they had things lined up to update apps if they didn't get in early.

Anonymous wrote:All of these decisions made me realize most of the kids who got in declared obscure or "easier" majors. I feel bad I didn't know about this loophole as this is my first kid.

He declared business for all! Feeling so dumb. Has gotten into some good schools and deferred at others.

But deferred at top choices. One school he is waiting on is TX. If he's denied which I expect, he can appeal. Would it make sense to appeal to change his major to Econ? He's doing well in it and enjoying. Or is it better to just stick w business at another school?

I guess the allure of TX for many is McComb?

Hi, incase it makes you feel a bit better, you cannot transfer across College and Liberal Arts and McCombs easily. In fact it is very hard. Same with CS at UT.

However, yes, it is true there are kids who are declaring history/comparative literature/environmental studies as their major in many private selective colleges. These are fraud majors. We have a kid in my high schooler's class who applied with history. But it slipped out for the state school where he could not switch easily, he applied for CS. Often there are expensive college consultants who are positioning these kids to establish evidence for these easier majors. It is a calculated process.

Anonymous wrote:You are regretting that you raised an honest son?

Put things in perspective!

Yes, everyone be honest. This can bump my own kid's chances!

Anonymous wrote:This trick has been around since at least my younger brother was applying to colleges (1998, entomology was the suggested choice then) if the program ultimately desired was not a direct admit. We used it with my son (class of ‘22) who wrote about his interest in philosophy and graduated with Math/Econ double major. He did do a philosophy minor.

All these majors are in the Liberal Arts/Arts and Sciences college. Your son basically just declared a different major, but within the same college. Moving from Arts and Sciences into Business college is a whole other thing altogether.

Anonymous wrote:Unless the college admits by major/school, they are not considering the major at all. They would admit everyone to arts and sciences. Most schools goals are to get students in and taking a variety of classes at least their first year. And then, have the student declare major.

Some school wouldn’t even let them declare the major if they don’t have the prerequisites completed by a specific time. Their goal is to get the students graduated in 4 to 4 1/2 years.

This inaccurate - only true for SLACs or colleges without a business school at all.
Most privates T50 and above with a formal Business School direct admit into it.

Anonymous wrote:This trick has been around since at least my younger brother was applying to colleges (1998, entomology was the suggested choice then) if the program ultimately desired was not a direct admit. We used it with my son (class of ‘22) who wrote about his interest in philosophy and graduated with Math/Econ double major. He did do a philosophy minor.

I posted above. See, this isn’t an issue at all. do we actually think the schools employing a team of people, to admit your students at a price tag of 50 K Are this naïve? Even if a kid was interested in philosophy as a 17 year old applicant, they could have changed their minds multiple times before declaring a major.

A lot of kids aren’t even aware of some of the majors that are even available. Schools have 50+ majors, and I would believe the “average” kid applyinh to college could name 10

That’s a tricky approach. It’s really hard to transfer into the business colleges at most universities. The competitive programs require a super high Freshman GPA and that could be risky given that many freshman stumble a little during the first year. And then what happens if he doesn’t get in? And the Econ program at the uni is average at best? I think your son did the right thing to state his desired major of business. Let the cookies crumble as they will.

Anonymous wrote:Unless the college admits by major/school, they are not considering the major at all. They would admit everyone to arts and sciences. Most schools goals are to get students in and taking a variety of classes at least their first year. And then, have the student declare major.

Some school wouldn’t even let them declare the major if they don’t have the prerequisites completed by a specific time. Their goal is to get the students graduated in 4 to 4 1/2 years.

For selective Ivy plus, they are looking for well balanced classes. They do consider it…
This is a little secret in private top tier admissions circles…

Unless the college admits by major/school, they are not considering the major at all. They would admit everyone to arts and sciences. Most schools goals are to get students in and taking a variety of classes at least their first year. And then, have the student declare major.

Some school wouldn’t even let them declare the major if they don’t have the prerequisites completed by a specific time. Their goal is to get the students graduated in 4 to 4 1/2 years.

For some schools, my kid put his minor interest before his major thinking it might make admission more likely, although he isn't really sure what he wants to major in.

Good idea.

Kids RD apps have no business or Econ ; only niche major. Per private counselor Rex; all activities re-ordered based on this secondary (real) interest. All supps customized for this major/interest.

Real ECs etc in this field too and think it will be more successful than pure Econ/Business

This trick has been around since at least my younger brother was applying to colleges (1998, entomology was the suggested choice then) if the program ultimately desired was not a direct admit. We used it with my son (class of ‘22) who wrote about his interest in philosophy and graduated with Math/Econ double major. He did do a philosophy minor.

Add:
Anthropology
Sociology

Anonymous wrote:Classics
English and History for boys (not girls)
Philosophy
Ancient Civilizations

Look for obscure majors on the website.

Econ is super competitive. Applying to be a German major might work. Or theology major. But you’re not getting a transfer later so what’s the point?