Declaring a Major or Minor (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to declare a major? ›

Declaring your intended major tells the college that you have definite academic goals and that you are applying to their specific school because their program helps you meet those goals. It sends a message to the admissions authorities that you are more likely to attend their college if your application is accepted.

While majors are the primary focus of your degree program and often lead to a specific career path, a minor is an opportunity to explore your interests beyond your major field of study. So, take the time to weigh your options and find the right balance between your interests and your career goals.

Applying to college as an undeclared major, or as any major, won't impact your college experience once you arrive. You can typically change your major without any consequences until sophom*ore or junior year.

There are some clear benefits to earning a minor. Undergrads can complement their major and develop interdisciplinary strengths with a minor. What's more, a minor lets students explore fields outside their major. A minor might even help you out after graduation as you look for jobs.

If you have a competitive college concentration in mind, your academic profile – your GPA, in other words – will be key. If your high school GPA does not reflect your full potential and you would like to use your first year of college to correct this issue, it likely makes sense to apply as an undeclared major.

“One of the ways that composers or performers communicate … is through the use of either major chords and major scales – which are very strongly associated with creating a happy mood – and minor scales and minor chords – which are associated with a more melancholy feeling,” he said.

A student's minor does not usually appear on their diploma. Instead, the diploma lists the major and the date the graduate earned their degree. That said, college transcripts do list minors.

Schools often look for people with different backgrounds and perspectives. So, if you have a passion for a non-science major and think you can do the required premed coursework and do well on your MCAT, that is often a winning decision. A minor is not acknowledged by med schools.

By going into college as an undeclared major, you may end up taking classes that do not count toward their college degree, adding up to both a waste of time and money. Undeclared students may also find themselves left in the lurch when it comes time to apply to their preferred program.

How long can your major be undeclared? ›

As an undeclared student, you will have the opportunity to think about your personal and career goals and how they might connect to a potential major, which you must declare prior to the end of your sophom*ore year (or before you've earned 60 credits).

Having a major helps you determine what classes you need to take and encourages you to set goals for your education. Enhances your knowledge of a specific subject or industry: By declaring a major in college, you gain an in-depth understanding of the subject you choose to study.

From a career perspective, a minor is a way for students to demonstrate additional skills that employers might be looking for "and help them stand out from their peers as a candidate in a unique way," says Wendy Winter-Searcy, director of the Career Center at Colorado School of Mines.

Some employers value candidates with minors, especially ones related to their major, the industry, or the job role, as it can signal a foundational understanding of a specific discipline.

For most colleges, choosing “undecided” as your major will not affect your chances of getting accepted.

In truth, the selection of any major or area of study can greatly impact your application, and thus your chances of admission–and this may change year by year. This is why it's so crucial to not only understand the overall selectivity of a particular school, but how your intended major affects your chances.

You can declare a major, or apply as undeclared, on your UC application form. For first-years applying to a major in the College, your choice of major will neither help nor hurt your prospects for admission. In fact, a large number of first-year applicants apply as undeclared.