Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 12:02     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
One of the harder majors as it requires deep reading, math, and analytical skills. So not, not super popular as not easy and also does not work for bot like thinkers (stem focused but lacking analytical and reading skills).
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 11:41     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
It is not popular. It’s not a college-as-voc-ed major like engineering or accounting, and it’s much harder than things like English or political science.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 11:27     Subject: Re:how popular is Philosophy?
Keep in mind philosophy is a “boy” major so that takes some (but not all) of the oomph out of being a male humanities major.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 11:21     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No different than History or English. It’s a decently popular major that’s having decline. It’s not gender studies or Russian where a niche are entering it.



+1 I actually think Philosophy has had an upswing in recent years.


This. I do think there’s an increased visibility of the usefulness of this major across many fields (especially in the context of uncertainties AI brings to the job market), which is leading many students to find it, choose it, and enjoy studying it.



It's also strategic. Kids know it's detrimental to apply as a STEM major, so apply as a Philosophy or History major. That is not to discount the quality of analytical thinking and writing gained by studying those disciplines, but kids are very pragmatic these days about how to approach college admissions. I assume that is what motivated this thread in the first place!


OP kinda! he will def be a Phil major - or at least zero chance he'll do STEM or take another math class if he can help it - but the way his ECs line up , he could also be strategic and try for Anthro or similar. I feel like at some schools Phil is becoming overly popular.



I think Phil is pretty popular now. I'd go the Anthro route, personally.


I think Anthro is a go nowhere major tbh
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 11:19     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
OP, what is your question? Do kids have new ly-found interest in philosophy? (No). Is it an easier major to get into at some schools (yes). Is it good for future employment or ROI? (No). Is it good for application to law school? ( Maybe but a 4.0 gpa in anything is more important). Most important: do you need to be a good writer to excel at the major? (Yes)
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 09:41     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was a philosophy major in addition to a science, and it's a hard major. You have to be really good at analytical reasoning as well as being a good writer and extremely good reading comprehension. Kant et al. are denser than any dense science article I have ever encountered.


Omg yes to this. I had to take my philosophy class in the poli sci department to escape...

These are the kind of people who liked to debate "How Many Angels Fit on the Head of a Pin" in the Middle Ages.


Post-Ozempic, their conclusions have had to be adjusted.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 01:26     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
Anonymous wrote:I was a philosophy major in addition to a science, and it's a hard major. You have to be really good at analytical reasoning as well as being a good writer and extremely good reading comprehension. Kant et al. are denser than any dense science article I have ever encountered.


Omg yes to this. I had to take my philosophy class in the poli sci department to escape...

These are the kind of people who liked to debate "How Many Angels Fit on the Head of a Pin" in the Middle Ages.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 00:16     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
I was a philosophy majorly! One of four at my college that year (1995).
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 23:39     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
My cs major minors in math and philosophy. Really seems to enjoy it.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 23:35     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
Anonymous wrote:is it a respected major in the workplace?


If you major in philosophy, you will likely be one of the best thinkers & writers wherever you work.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 23:27     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
Anonymous wrote:wondering if this is what DCUM calls and "undersubscribed" major


Sure why not go for it
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 17:19     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
is it a respected major in the workplace?
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 15:34     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No different than History or English. It’s a decently popular major that’s having decline. It’s not gender studies or Russian where a niche are entering it.



+1 I actually think Philosophy has had an upswing in recent years.


+1 it’s due to ai

It’s getting popular
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 15:17     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
too popular. it's the new psychology.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 15:13     Subject: how popular is Philosophy?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No different than History or English. It’s a decently popular major that’s having decline. It’s not gender studies or Russian where a niche are entering it.



+1 I actually think Philosophy has had an upswing in recent years.


This. I do think there’s an increased visibility of the usefulness of this major across many fields (especially in the context of uncertainties AI brings to the job market), which is leading many students to find it, choose it, and enjoy studying it.



It's also strategic. Kids know it's detrimental to apply as a STEM major, so apply as a Philosophy or History major. That is not to discount the quality of analytical thinking and writing gained by studying those disciplines, but kids are very pragmatic these days about how to approach college admissions. I assume that is what motivated this thread in the first place!


OP kinda! he will def be a Phil major - or at least zero chance he'll do STEM or take another math class if he can help it - but the way his ECs line up , he could also be strategic and try for Anthro or similar. I feel like at some schools Phil is becoming overly popular.



I think Phil is pretty popular now. I'd go the Anthro route, personally.


+1 Majoring in Phil seems overplayed these days based on my 3 kids' experiences.