Overview

The idea of keeping your options open sounds appealing, especially when faced with the daunting decision of choosing a major before applying to college. After all, why box yourself in when you can always explore your interests later?

The thing is, though this advice can sound harmless—or even empowering—it can actually do more harm than good. Here are five reasons why entering the college application process without considering your future major can make things unnecessarily complicated—and why selecting a major (even tentatively) is often the smarter move.

Choose a Major and Narrow Your College Search

Choosing a major before applying doesn’t mean you’re locking yourself into a lifelong career path—it means you’re focusing your search on colleges that are well-equipped to support your current interests.

• If you’re passionate about engineering, you’ll want to target schools with robust STEM programs.
• If you’re leaning toward journalism, a university known for its communication school might rise to the top of your list.

By identifying an intended major, you can weed out schools that don't align with your aspirations, streamlining your college search to places where you’re more likely to thrive both academically and professionally.

Choose Your Major to Write Better Essays

Many colleges expect applicants to write essays about their intended major or academic goals. It is, however, hard to write these without a clear idea of what you will study. Admissions officers are seeking not only to gain assurance that applicants can express themselves articulately but also to determine how the applicant's ambition coincides with the college's resources.

Example:
Instead of writing a general essay about exploring different fields, you could write a focused essay about your interest in environmental science and your desire to work with a certain professor or research program. These focused essays show you’ve done your homework and are serious about your future.

Create a Harmonious College Application with Chosen Major

Colleges like to admit students who can tell a story about their interests and accomplishments. Declaring a major enables you to connect your academic history, extracurricular activities, and personal statement in a coherent narrative.‍

Example:

• You’ve been part of a robotics team, taken AP Physics, and volunteered at a local science museum.
• Applying as an engineering major strengthens your story and shows that your experiences are building toward a specific goal.

Without a declared major, these activities might seem disconnected, making it harder for admissions officers to understand your overall vision.

Save Time and Money by Identifying a Major Early

Going into college as an undecided major sounds like a great way to figure things out, but it often results in wasted time and tuition dollars.

Challenges of Being Undecided:

• Students who change majors several times—or wait too long to declare one—may end up taking extra courses or even delaying graduation.
• With rising tuition costs, extra semesters can add up quickly.

Benefits of Declaring Early:

• Better planning of coursework to meet graduation requirements on time.
• Exploratory programs within individual majors allow for fine-tuning your focus without requiring major changes.

Choosing Your Major and Early Career Planning

Declaring your major will get you ahead of the game in your career exploration. Many colleges have internships, mentorships, and networking opportunities available for specific fields of study; the earlier you commit to a major, the earlier you can get a head start on these opportunities.

Example:

• A declared business major might gain access to exclusive workshops on entrepreneurship or internships with local startups.
• Undecided students may be at a disadvantage when competing for these opportunities simply because they haven’t committed to a field.

What If You’re Truly Undecided?

If you’re really not sure about your interests, it’s still worth choosing a general area of study—say, humanities, sciences, or business—when you apply. Many colleges allow you to apply under broad categories and declare your major in detail once enrolled.

Tips to Explore Your Options Before Applying:

• Use tools like Loper to explore your strengths, preferences, and academic goals through personalized quizzes and tailored college matches.
• Job shadow professionals in fields that interest you.
• Enroll in introductory courses online or through local programs.

The effort you invest now will pay dividends later.

Closing Remarks

While many students do switch majors in college, having a selected major to start with provides a clear foundation for your academic and career goals. It simplifies your college search, strengthens your application, and ensures you make good use of your time and resources.

Remember, choosing a major does not mean you can’t change your mind; it simply gives you a starting point. And when it comes to college admissions, a little planning goes a long way.

Ready to take the next step?
Download Loper and start exploring majors that align with your interests. Find colleges and programs that best fit your goals—all on your phone!