Your intended major is not set in stone. It’s not even set in linoleum. It’s simply the major you choose on your college applications to contribute to your angle, strategic narrative, or, as we at Ivy Coach like to say, your singular admissions hook. Once you’re on campus, your intended major can change with the tides — no one will force you to stay in a department just because you conveyed interest in it while applying (though engineering can prove to be an exception to the rule and it should also be noted that some schools, like the University of Michigan, don’t allow students to switch into computer science once enrolled).

This overall flexibility is a fundamental part of the elite college education, encouraging intellectual exploration and trial and error. That’s why many of America’s most prestigious schools — including most of the Ivy League — don’t require students to pick a major until their sophomore year. They want to give you plenty of time to throw a lot of majors against the wall and see what sticks. However, college applicants must note that we’re not advocating for you apply to your top school as an “undecided” candidate. Far too many students do so and jeopardize their case for admission by coming across as noncommittal and without a singular hook. 

Can You Change Your Major?

Of course you can! Think of your intended major as somewhat of a Trojan horse. You should come across as totally and utterly committed to it in your application, but feel free to abandon it once you’ve made it onto campus. No one will penalize you for applying as a biologist and graduating as a poet! Unless you’re applying as an engineering student or to a college outside of the U.S., where it can be much more challenging to switch between academic departments once admitted.

How to Pick an Intended Major

Before considering your intended major, you must develop a singular admissions hook to guide your applications (preferably in collaboration with someone from Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers). Your singular hook is the wonderfully weird and particular way you want to change the world with your unique cause, discipline, artistic medium, or expertise. The students getting into highly selective schools in 2024 aren’t the well-rounded jack of all trades. They’re the budding experts and specialists who come across as knowing exactly what they want from their college education (even if, in reality, they don’t!).

Your intended major is a significant piece of your hook. If your Personal Statement is about how you have pioneered a new way of learning about ancient civilizations, but then you apply as a physics major and not a history major, you’ll leave admissions officers scratching their heads. The same goes for the student who claims to want to bring about an ethical future for computer science but intends to major in art history. Admissions officers will not spend time deciphering your academic inclinations — they’ll write you off as a contradictory applicant and send you a rejection letter. This underscores the importance of a well-chosen intended major in your application.

When choosing your intended major, it’s important to weigh the high school classes you excelled in, the departments your prospective school is known for, and where your genuine passion lies. Your high school performance plays a significant role in this decision, as it reflects your strengths and areas of interest. However, if you believe you can make a more compelling case for applying as a political science major (because, for example, you have extensive experience volunteering on campaigns), it’s advisable to ignore your love of philosophy for the time being. Look at your resume and extracurricular history and ask yourself: without knowing me or my interests, what does it look like I’m already an expert on? Then, find the major at your future school that aligns most with this image. 

Ivy Coach’s Clients Choose an Intended Major Strategically But Don’t Stress Over It

Ivy Coach’s clients choose their singular admissions hook wisely and with much forethought, but don’t stress over it once applications are sent out. Sometimes, a client’s resume and academic profile lend themselves to an economics hook, even though their biggest passion lies in English. We ensure they don’t get caught up in this discrepancy because we understand it’s much more important to get into an elite school with a strategic angle than to understand their life’s calling at 17 or 18 years old. We’ll give you the push you need to focus on the most strategic element of your interests to get into the school of your dreams.

That said, crafting a singular admissions hook is easier said than done. Fortunately, Ivy Coach is here to help you do exactly that! If you want to optimize your child’s odds of admission to a highly selective university through a compelling hook that ties in with a well-chosen intended major, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.