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Does what you pick for your major on the application really matter? For example, for the Penn State application, it gives you a first choice major and a second choice major. I've been thinking of picking economics as my first choice major, and anthropology as my second choice major. My question is, I haven't exactly shown a big interest in economics throughout high school, and my math grades have never really been that good. Will picking economics hurt my chances at state schools(Wisconsin-Madison, Illinois, Penn State, UMichigan, etc), or would it be better to pick something that I'm more inclined towards, such as History or Anthropology? Or does the major not really matter?

I'm one of those guys who's not really sure what I want to major in. I've been thinking about Law School, which is why I've been thinking about economics. What majors are good for law school? History? Economics? Philosophy? Anthropology? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

By Bigsteve121 (Bigsteve121) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 01:05 pm: Edit

I hear that Political Science is pretty good for a future Law student. I also hear that Pre-Law isn't a good path to take.

By Dusk2k2 (Dusk2k2) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 10:17 pm: Edit

Well, I'd really like to major in economics in college, but again, I've never really shown any big interest in economics or shown that I'm a math wiz. Is it better to stick for me to pick a social science/liberal arts major, or would it not matter in the admission process if I chose economics.

Again, interested in law school, but would like a major that appeals/helps in the Law School process, but also has a usefulness outside of getting into law school, in case I should choose that Law isn't the thing for me...

By Dusk2k2 (Dusk2k2) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 01:57 am: Edit

bump...

By Sophster (Sophster) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 02:14 am: Edit

You should put down the interest that really interested and fascinated you in high school. Perhaps, it's a pursuit that you are willing to keep for college? If u didn't do anything cool for econ, then perhaps, that's not ur main interest. Of course it doesn't mean that u will never be interested in it, but as far as college go, be honest with yourself and give yourself the honest assessment that you deserve.

By Mikemac (Mikemac) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 07:27 pm: Edit

in the liberal arts (history, poli sci, econ, etc) intended major does not matter and it is easy to switch between them.

For specialty colleges (engineering, fine arts, etc) at many larger schools, especially large publics, it is very difficult to xfer into a major in one of those colleges if you start somewhere else because they are "impacted" (eg. in high demand).

Bottom line, OP, for what you've said intended major will not matter.

By Virginia2004 (Virginia2004) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 07:53 pm: Edit

Why isnt pre-law good?

By Mikemac (Mikemac) on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 11:07 pm: Edit

pre-law, pre-med, pre-anything are not majors (except in a tiny handful of colleges). They are career intentions, labels you apply to yourself. You can be an art-history major and be pre-med (if you take the 10 or so required math/science courses), you can be pre-law instead if that is your future plan.

College is a time to get a good grounding in the liberal arts and to also specialize in one (your major). For law school, since it focuses heavily on writing and analysis, the typical majors that prepare you for this include poli-sci, history, english, and many others.

By Yz16 (Yz16) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 09:27 am: Edit

Hi! I'd love to get some answers pretty soon. When you declare a major, do colleges look at 1. the major and then admit you according to whether you're suited for that major?

2. I'm deciding between declaring myself as headed for(where available) bioengineering, biology/life sciences, or preMed ... or perhaps just...undeclared. Eventual tentative plans are to go for med at grad school.

Any ideas on which major to put down? At the moment I'm considering the there equally, so
3. which of these are least competitive to get into?

For the UCs, I know it's dangerous to go as undeclared because competition for the abovementioned majors is so intense. But what about for HYPS, Rice, Northwestern, Wellesley?

Thanks for any input at all.