Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put down a less-popular major if it is even a remote possibility. Every third kid puts down econ or CS or business or pre-med.

This. 💯
Check college raptor or school CDS (last page) for number of majors in each graduating class.

But if you want to then transfer into an LEP major, you probably have a very low chance.

Example: CS major at UMD.

So, it really depends on what you end up actually wanting to major in.

o

Most of us aren’t interested in CS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put down a less-popular major if it is even a remote possibility. Every third kid puts down econ or CS or business or pre-med.

This. 💯
Check college raptor or school CDS (last page) for number of majors in each graduating class.

But if you want to then transfer into an LEP major, you probably have a very low chance.

Example: CS major at UMD.

So, it really depends on what you end up actually wanting to major in.

Anonymous wrote:Put down a less-popular major if it is even a remote possibility. Every third kid puts down econ or CS or business or pre-med.

Agree.

Anonymous wrote:He needs to pick something and try it on. See how it feels. It's not a forever choice or binding, but he should have a top 3-5 options that he's thinking about and one that he'd pick today if someone made him choose.

Undecided is a lazy choice and shows a lack of self reflection.

For a 17 or 18 YO? No, it doesn't.

[quote=Anonymous]Slavic Languages and Literature
[/quote]
Good luck selling that!

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the school. Some accept directly to major and some consider everyone undecided. Talk to the counselor at the school or read the admissions websites.

People need to stop saying this. Potential major matters everywhere, regardless of acceptance into a specific major or school.

IMO putting undecided is generally fine. A few thoughts...

1. Business and Engineering programs are generally more selective than the university overall so if those are remotely being considered, you probably should put them down. You don't want to decide freshman year that you really want to be a business major and then have to transfer schools because you can't transfer into the major.

2. On the flip side of that, don't put Business as a random major choice if you really want to go to that school but would be 100% fine doing something else.

3. My kids are at two different colleges, one big and one small. Both had a 1st year-1st semester class that focused on exploring the major. Undecided students were placed in a class that helps you explore your interests and potential majors. So if you put down something random, that you don't actually care to pursue, you'll need to be alert to that and how you can change that class to something relevant.

4. Some schools have a supplement question about why that major. If you are putting undecided, you should discuss a few different interests and how you are excited to explore different paths when you get to school x. Basically, show that you are undecided because you are brimming with intellectual curiosity and you haven't narrowed it down yet, not that you have no interests.

Anonymous wrote:He needs to pick something and try it on. See how it feels. It's not a forever choice or binding, but he should have a top 3-5 options that he's thinking about and one that he'd pick today if someone made him choose.

Undecided is a lazy choice and shows a lack of self reflection.

How is it any lazier than picking something you don't plan on sticking to? It shows you are 17 and have no clue what to do in life yet, which is more normal than not. You also have to be careful because some colleges make it hard to switch.

Anonymous wrote:Put down a less-popular major if it is even a remote possibility. Every third kid puts down econ or CS or business or pre-med.

This. 💯
Check college raptor or school CDS (last page) for number of majors in each graduating class.

Undecided is fine and it’s not a lack of direction. Many schools appreciate wide interests and interdisciplinary connections. He should just be prepared to speak about what those interests are in essays. Since premed isn’t a major, many avenues can be taken.

Slavic Languages and Literature