Application Advice

The first piece of advice that we have for prospective college applicants is to choose a major of study that genuinely interests you. Oftentimes, we find that applicants will apply to certain majors because they seem intellectually prestigious or were arbitrarily ranked higher in a popular magazine. We strongly caution against this approach for two pivotal reasons:

1. Admissions committee members read through hundreds of applications and can usually identify when applicants are being inauthentic—feigning interest often backfires.

2. Should you gain acceptance into such a major, a lack of genuine passion may inhibit your ability to achieve academic success.

Therefore, we highly recommend applying to a major that truly aligns with your individual interests. Not only will this substantially strengthen your college application, but it will also help lay a solid foundation for your professional endeavors after school.

But what if you find yourself intrigued by multiple majors? Keep in mind that once you are admitted into a particular college or university, you will have the opportunity to explore various courses, pursue a minor, or even change your major if you find another one that better aligns with your career goals. This means that there will be plenty of opportunities in the future to explore your options and make any desired changes. However, in the short term, we strongly recommend applying to the major that ignites the most passion within you, as this is the major that will give you the best chance of getting into the top university of your choice.