Focus on Majors: Undecided. The Pros and Cons

Feeling unsure about what major to pick for college? You're not alone! Many students, even those interested in STEM, aren't sure which subject to focus on, or they have so many interests they can’t choose just one. According to a U.S. Department of Education report, about one-third of students change their major within three years of starting college. Some schools report that 50-75% of students change their major at least once.

For those students who are unsure what major to declare, one popular option is applying as “undecided” or “undeclared.” This allows you to take your time discovering what excites you before committing to a major.

Pros of Applying to College Undecided

If you enjoy different subjects—such as physics and history or graphic design and entrepreneurship—applying undecided gives you the freedom to take a wide variety of classes before settling on one major. This flexibility can be ideal for students who want to explore multiple interests.

Deciding on a major can feel overwhelming. Applying as undecided gives you time to experience different subjects and discover what truly interests you. Most schools do not require that students officially declare their major until the end of their sophomore year. Many colleges provide special advising for undecided students, helping guide them toward the right major. Universities such as Brown, University of Hartford, and Oregon State University offer support through mentorship and career advising for undecided students.

Being undecided keeps your options open for designing your major or choosing interdisciplinary programs. Schools that are part of academic consortiums, such as The Claremont Colleges and the Five College Consortium are great for those interested in exploring subjects or taking classes not offered a their home institution. 

Some colleges offer exploratory tracks in specific fields, such as business or engineering, without requiring you to declare a major right away.

Cons of Applying to College Undecided

Certain competitive majors—such as business, engineering, or nursing—may be difficult to enter later if you don’t apply directly as a freshman. These programs often have strict entry requirements and/or a limited number of spaces, so it’s important to check each school’s policy before applying undecided. For example, transferring into an engineering program from a university's College of Arts and Sciences can be difficult as there are often requirements in math and sciences that students will not have met yet.

Some colleges offer specific exploratory options to help students figure out the major they want to pursue. Some examples of this include Ithaca College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and University of Colorado Boulder.

Just because a college allows you to apply undecided doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for your academic goals. If you have a specific field in mind, it’s crucial to choose a school with strong programs in that area, even if you haven’t declared your major yet.

If you’re thinking about applying undecided, look for schools with flexible curriculums. Be sure to check for major restrictions, especially for competitive fields such as business or engineering. Think about your interests and ensure that the school offers strong programs in areas you may want to explore.

Applying undecided can provide the time and space to discover your academic path. Whether you have multiple interests or are not sure exactly what you want to study it keeps your options open while allowing you to explore.

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