Changing Your Major After You Apply
Some studies indicate as many as 50 percent of students arrive at college undecided. If youre one of them, youll feel pressure to commit before youve taken your first class, but there are perfectly good reasons to take it slow. If youre a first-time-in-college freshman who simply wants to change the major you punched into your college application, youre golden. Except for a few specialty programs like engineering, premed, fine arts, and honors college, you usually have free rein to change your mind and your major. Check with your academic advisor early and often . At USF, each college has its own procedures for the registrar is a good starting point at most universities. Once you know youre on solid ground, pursue that new passion with a great sense of purpose.
Action plan: Go for it.
Things To Consider Before Changing Your Major
Thinking about changing your major? Join the crowd you are in the majority of college students.
National statistics show that about three-quarters of all students change majors at some point during their college career. At UC Davis, over 50 percent of enrolled undergraduates change to a major in another college. The overall proportion of students changing majors is even higher when you add in switches within each college.
If you are facing this issue, I have some suggestions.
Reviewing The Academic Requirements
Next you need to make sure you meet the requirements for admission to your new major department, college, or school within the university. At many colleges, youll need to meet the same admission requirements as outside students who are seeking acceptance into the school. That means its possible that you may not be admitted to your new majoreven though youre already a student at the collegeif your academic stats arent up to snuff. If thats the case, you can discuss your options with your academic advisor.
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Why Was My Change Of Major Request Denied
Change of major requests are denied for one or more of the following reasons:
Is It Too Late To Change Majors
You may change your mind about your major once at UC Berkeley. If you are in this situation, you may be concerned about whether or not you have time to change a major. Many students make decisions to stay in majors they do not like because they feel it is too late. While this can be true in some cases, the best strategy is to ask about your options rather than make assumptions. Even if the major you have in mind is not an option, academic advisers may be able to help you identify an option closer to the pathway you are now interested in.
If you know which major you would like to change into, first meet with your intended Undergraduate Major Adviser to see if it is an option. Often, this adviser will also be able to help you identify alternatives if their major is not possible. They may provide you with a program plan and then suggest seeing an L& S College Adviser to discuss whether you have time to complete it within the unit ceiling or semester limit.
If you do not know which major you would like to change into, check out the Explore Majors & Minors page.
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How Do I Request A Change Of Major
Before you change your major, be sure you have discussed your academic and career goals with your Academic Advisor or Navigator so that you are knowledgeable about the change you are making. Career counseling is also available to help if you are having trouble deciding what program best aligns with your interests and skills. Keep in mind, deciding on a major can be tough, and may take time and research before you can determine which program is right for you.
New or returning students who have not enrolled should contact the Admissions Office to update your application.
Enrolled students can click here to access the Major Change Request form.
How To Declare/change A Major
Each major has different requirements in order to declare and different processes. Most major departments in L& S have clear guidelines for declaration on the majors website. If you have trouble finding your departments website, you can always go to the Berkeley Academic Guide to look up your major. Click to find the departments website link under either About the Program or under Contact Information.
Some students believe it is easier to declare a major if you are undeclared rather than already declared in a different major. However, the process to change a major is the same as declaring a major for the first time.
If you have further questions, contact your intended major department and/or specific Undergraduate Major Adviser for support.
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Can I Change My Major
I think I changed my mind on what I want to major in. What do I do? If you are asking yourself this question, know you are not alone. We are here as a resource to assist you through this process. You may have come to this realization now, or it may happen down the road. Dont worry! In either scenario, we are here to help.
What You Need To Know About Changing Your Major
- Some majors have a separate admissions process. Meet with your Academic Advisor for more information.
- Certain programs require students to pass a criminal background check. If youve been arrested, charged, or convicted of any criminal offense, check with your Academic Advisor first.
- Majors that consist of fewer than 16 credits are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- Veterans: If you are receiving Veterans Benefits, you must also notify the Minneapolis College Veterans School Certifying Official of your program change.
- International Students: You must also notify a Minneapolis College Designated School Official of your program change.
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Can I Switch College Majors Should I
Picking a major is a, well, major part of the college process. A lot of effort can go into searching for schools that have a reputable program for your desired major. College majors can be broad or niche, common or unique. And since majors largely determine what sort of classes youll take or specialize in, they can have a major impact on your future career.
Will Changing Majors Affect Your Graduation Date
Switching majors often means more classes and more credits to graduate, so consider how the change will affect your graduation date. Will it mean another semester or even another year in college? Can you apply credits you earned for your original major as general education or elective credits?
The answer might come down to the switch itself. Some majors have completely different gen ed requirements. Going from a BS to a BA, for instance, can mean taking a year of language classes.
In contrast, switching between more closely related disciplines or changing majors earlier on in your college career might not affect your graduation at all.
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Do You Need To Change Majors To Move Forward
Most students want to change their majors because they decide they want to go into a different career field.
In reality, your undergraduate degree is not always a reflection of your future career.
The job market is constantly changing. You should not necessarily add years and thousands of dollars to your college degree if you want to go into a certain field. Studies show that roughly 40%-60% of careers of the future have not even been created yet.
Does Your Major Affect Acceptance Chances
The major does not affect a students chances of being accepted into colleges or universities. Schools know that its not uncommon for students to change majors sometime during college. However, at schools where majors are taken into account, certain majors have higher acceptance rates than others.
Up to 80% of college students change their majors at least once, says NCES. The agency adds that a lot of students even change majors as many as six times before being happy with the major of their choice.
Colleges and universities, as mentioned earlier, are well aware of the fact that its very much likely for the students they accept to change the majors they have indicated in their applications. Because of this, most of the time, admissions officers do not include the declared majors of applicants in the decision-making process.
Its also for this reason why, although the Common App has a space for a major, you can submit the application even without choosing a major you will commit to once accepted into the school of your choice. Again, according to the Common App itself, you can always change the major you have indicated.
Many institutions do not take into account the major applicants choose. Thats because the majors they offer are all equally competitive, which keeps students from being advantaged or disadvantaged by their choice.
However, at some colleges and universities, the slots for some majors are limited.
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When Do You Pick A Major
At most US colleges and universities, students do not have to declare a major until the end of their sophomore year. This gives them enough time to adjust to an environment thats larger than high school, try a few classes, earn some general education credits and decide what they want to major in.
When filling out the Common App, you will be asked for a major.
Dont let this part of the application leave you stressed and anxious or slow you down.
Thats because, in most instances, declaring a minor isnt necessary. As a matter of fact, when asked to indicate a major, there is an undecided option. Clearly, its for students who still have to make up their minds as to what to major in.
Besides, the Common App itself says that you should not let choosing a major delay your application process, as you can always change your chosen major after submitting the application.
There is no denying that Harvard is one of the best institutions on the planet.
You would think that, because of its prestige and high selectivity, it would only admit students who know exactly what they want to become in the future, as evidenced by a major declared even before they step foot on the campus.
Well, surprise, surprise Harvard does not require incoming freshmen to declare a major.
When it comes to choosing a college major, the bottom line is that there is no need to rush.
What Classes Should An Undecided College Student Take
College students may not change their majors as often as they change their socks, but it is a fairly common practice to change a major based on a student’s uncertainties. Most students go to college not knowing what to major in, and half will change their majors once they’ve started, according to “The New York Times.” Depending on your enrollment status, completed courses and academic interests, you might want to consider changing your major to best meet your academic and career goals.
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Gather Information And Explore Your Major Options
Explore before making a firm decision about a major change! Read through the list of majors to understand your choices or complete the Major Card Sort for an interactive exploration. You can get more tips from 3 Paths to a Major When You Dont Know What to Do.
If you are a freshman, you have time to explore. At UC Davis, students are asked to make their major selection by winter quarter of sophomore year to stay on track for graduation.
Take classes in a new discipline that interests you, or get work or volunteer experience with an eye on the professionals you come in contact with. A good way to get started is by talking with people on campus with different perspectives and training who can assist you with the decision process:
Staff advisors: They know all of the rules and have experience helping students navigate educational decisions. To learn more, read 3 Reasons to Get to Know Your Advisor.
Peer advisors: These students can share their experiences in classes, doing research projects and related student activities.
Faculty advisors: Our professors will help you with knowledge and perspectives from within their discipline.
Internship and Career Center: Visit our center online and at South Hall to find a variety of resources, including workshops, and to meet with career advisors.
Use Campus Resources To Smooth The Way
The process to change your major can be complex. Your decision may impact other aspects of your life such as time to graduation, your parent/family relationships or your well-being.
Students may be concerned about asking for help or admitting that they are unsure about what they should do. In my experience, sharing with someone that you are struggling with this decision can provide a great deal of relief. I urge you to take advantage of resources and services on campus to prepare yourself for the transition.
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Meeting With Your Academic Advisor
Now its time to consult your academic advisor. They are your biggest ally in figuring out everything you need to do and all the requirements you need to meet to switch majors. Theyre also used to this process, so they can answer your questions and guide you through it. It would be great to consult an advisor from your intended major, but if youre still not sure about what your new major will be, then you can just visit your current academic advisor.
Changing College Majors: When Is It Okay To Switch Things Up
Not loving your college major like you used to? Changing college majors can be common practice among university students, but the choice shouldnt be made lightly. For instance, switching majors during your junior or senior year could cause you to lose hard-earned units and postpone your graduation date. Additionally, if a major change adds another semester to your degree plan, it can cost you more money.
If youre thinking about switching majors, there are a number of things to consider before heading to the registrar.
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Major Changes And Double Major
About 20% of CALS Students change their major within their first two years. Students are encouraged to enrich their undergraduate degree with internships, study abroad, research, and other experiential activities. College is a time to explore, try new things, and consider new intellectual interests. If your current major is not a good fit, this page contains various resources to assist you.
A major guides the selection of courses in its area of interest. Except for majors where students select all of the courses taken , the required courses or types of courses represent the advice of faculty in each major as to how students can best prepare themselves for careers connected to that major. Only a few majors are directly connected to professional certification programs. Most prepare students for a broad category of employment . For some areas of employment, there is no major that provides specific career preparation , but a number of majors are flexible enough to allow students to prepare for these careers.
Students should be aware of two facts:
Both of these facts make choice of a major somewhat less important than you might imagine. Enjoying the major while you are at Cornell is more important.
Find out more about each major by visiting the CALS Program Finder.
Change majors to another college at Cornell University
Complete The Undergraduate Declaration Or Change Of Major Using The Major/minor Tool
- Allow 3 to 5 business days if your request only requires department approval. Allow 6 to 10 business days if your request requires both department and college approval.
- If you are requesting a Capped Major that’s outside of your current department, you will be redirected to the Capped Majors Application to submit your request.
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Should You Change Your Major
Around 1 in 3 college students changes their major. But does it make sense to switch? Our tips, questions, and resources can help you decide.
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How Will I Know When My Major Has Been Updated
Youll be notified by email once your major has been updated. If you submit your request electronically, please allow 2-3 business days for processing. Paper forms submitted in person are usually processed immediately. Forms submitted by mail or email will be processed 2-3 business days after being received.
To view your interactive degree audit, log into Minneapolis College eServices and select Grades and Transcripts. You should see your updated major listed. Contact the Student Services Center at 612-659-6250 or Ask Us!
Nursing majors: If you are adding or changing to Nursing, your major will be Pre-Nursing until you have been fully accepted to the program.
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