What Does It Mean to ‘Admit by Major?’
When researching colleges, you've likely encountered schools that "admit by major" or "admit by program." This admission approach can significantly impact your application strategy, yet many students and families don't fully understand what it means or how it affects their chances of acceptance.
Understanding Direct Admission vs. General Admission
Most colleges follow one of two admission models:
General Admission: Students apply to the university as a whole and are admitted as "undeclared" or "exploratory" students. They can then choose their major during their first or second year.
Admission by Major: Students must apply directly to specific academic programs, schools, or majors within the university. Each program evaluates applicants separately with its own criteria and admission standards.
How Admission by Major Works
When a school admits by major, you're essentially applying to multiple mini-colleges within the larger university. Here's what this typically involves:
Separate Application Requirements: Different majors may require additional essays, portfolios, auditions, or prerequisite coursework. Engineering programs might require specific math and science courses, while business schools may want to see leadership experience.
Varying Admission Standards: A computer science program might have a 15% acceptance rate while the same university's English program accepts 45% of applicants. Your competition is primarily against other students applying to your specific major.
Program-Specific Evaluation: Admissions committees for each major look for different qualities. Art programs prioritize creativity and technical skill, while pre-med tracks focus heavily on science aptitude and research experience.
Strategic Implications for Applicants
Understanding admission by major is crucial for developing an effective application strategy:
Research Acceptance Rates by Program: Don't just look at the university's overall acceptance rate. Dig deeper to find admission statistics for your intended major. Some programs may be significantly more or less competitive than the university average.
Consider Your Academic Profile: If you have a strong STEM background but weaker humanities credentials, applying to a competitive liberal arts program at a STEM-focused school might not play to your strengths.
Think About Backup Options: Some universities allow you to list an alternate major or apply to their general studies program if your first-choice major is highly competitive.
Demonstrate Genuine Interest: Since you're applying directly to a program, admissions committees expect to see clear evidence of your commitment and preparation for that field of study.
The Challenge of Changing Majors
One significant consideration with schools that admit by major is the difficulty of changing programs later. While it's often possible, it's rarely guaranteed and may require:
Meeting specific GPA requirements in prerequisite courses
Submitting a separate internal application
Waiting for available spaces in your desired program
Starting over with program-specific requirements
Some highly competitive majors (like computer science or business) may have extremely limited spots for internal transfers, making it nearly impossible to switch into these programs after enrollment.
Common Examples of Admission by Major
Large State Universities: Schools like UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, and UT Austin typically admit students directly to specific colleges (Engineering, Business, Liberal Arts) with varying admission standards.
Specialized Programs: Nursing, architecture, journalism, and fine arts programs almost universally require direct admission due to their specialized curriculum and limited capacity.
Business Schools: Many universities require separate applications to their undergraduate business programs, often with higher admission standards than the general university.
Making the Right Choice for You
When deciding whether to apply to schools that admit by major, consider:
Your Level of Certainty: If you're confident about your academic direction and have the credentials to support it, direct admission can be advantageous. If you're still exploring, schools with general admission might offer more flexibility.
Your Academic Strengths: Apply to programs where your academic profile aligns well with typical admitted students.
Your Risk Tolerance: Are you comfortable potentially being rejected from your dream school because you applied to an ultra-competitive major, when you might have been accepted to a different program?
Tips for Success
Start Research Early: Understanding admission requirements and standards for specific programs takes time. Begin this research junior year or earlier.
Build a Relevant Profile: If you know you want to study engineering, take advanced math and science courses, participate in robotics or coding clubs, and seek out related internships or research opportunities.
Apply Strategically: Consider applying to a mix of schools with different admission models to maximize your options.
Have Realistic Expectations: Even if you're a strong student overall, highly competitive programs may still be reach schools for you.
The Bottom Line
Admission by major adds another layer of strategy to the college application process. While it can make admissions more competitive for popular programs, it can also work in your favor if you're applying to less popular majors or if your academic profile strongly aligns with a specific field.
The key is understanding how each school operates and building your college list accordingly. Don't let admission by major deter you from applying to schools you love, but do make sure you're applying with a clear understanding of what you're getting into.
Remember, there's no single "right" approach to college admissions. Whether a school admits by major or through general admission, the most important factor is finding programs that will help you thrive academically and personally.
Want to ensure that you are applying to a major which aligns with your applicant profile? Contact an admissions expert today.
