Does applying to College under a "unpopular" major give you an advantage?

Question

I've been told that applying to University or College under an "unpopular" major gives you an advantage in the admissions process....is this true? or just a waste of time?

Answer 1

You might give you the advantage, but like others have mentioned. It won't fair too well when you get a job or go on to further studies.

I guess you can change your major after you get in. As far as the admissions go, I would say if your borderline getting in based off your merits, then a unpopular major would help.

Answer 2

In the cases where it's a really big help, it's because it's very difficult to transfer from that major into a more popular one. Most of the time, your declared major as an applicant won't be taken into much consideration because most students change their minds several times.

There is also the possibility of this backfiring if you're trying to play the system. If you say you want to major in classics, for example, which is the type of major where this might help, but you haven't taken any of the Latin courses your high school offered, it will probably be obvious what you're trying to do, and it will not be looked upon kindly.

Answer 3

Schools always want to pump up their programs make sure even the less popular ones are full of bright people; however, there are serious drawbacks to trying to play this game.

1. If you're picking a less popular major just because it's easier to get in to, you're basically determining what you will be doing for your college career and maybe even your life by a major that you just picked for the number of people in it.

2. If you try to transfer to another, more popular major, it can be very hard to get into the program.

3. I don't think a college would rely too heavily on what you put you want to major in on an application because most change their major in or after their freshman year.

Answer 4

Perhaps a very slight advantage but only if you really want to do that major, you have the qualifications and you think you would get on with the kind of people who want to do that major. For instance at Cambridge England hundreds more apply for Law than Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, so you have a slightly better chance of being accepted. But you have to persuade the university you are really interested in that and then spend three years with people who are incredibly interested in vikings or Beowulf or something.

Answer 5

Absolutely. But don't just slap a major on your application and expect to get the advantage from the general admissions office. Contact the head of the major program you want to do. I did this (German major) and the professor helped me get in. You have to be proactive about it.

Answer 6

I would think so. If the schools have X amount of students applying for the popular W major, then those designated slots fill up fast. You apply for something that gets very few students in it, you'd have a better shot of getting in.

Of course, you still need to have good grades, scores, extracuriculars, etc.

Answer 7

I am not sure if it is true. It may be though. You can always apply under one and change your major at a later date.

I can't imagine it would help you get in if you didnt have the grades or extra curriculars. If you are neck-in-neck with someone you may get the edge though.

Answer 8

Don't play games with this. Pick a major that is something you are really interested in. A good employer or grad school will want to know why you picked that major, and "nobody else wanted it" is not a great response.
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Answer 9

No.