Decision making on Common App: how bad is it to apply as 'Undecided'?

Need some advice here! I've got a bunch of interests but I haven't really nailed down what I want to study. Is it a negative to put 'Undecided' as my major on the Common App, or do colleges see that as open-minded?

It's great that you're thinking critically about how your choice of major might affect your college application. Applying as 'Undecided' is not inherently a negative—it can indeed show that you're open-minded and interested in exploring different fields. Many students enter college with a variety of interests and colleges are well aware of this; in fact, some institutions even encourage students to explore before settling on a major.

However, if you're applying to a very competitive program or school, expressing a clear interest can sometimes be an advantage, as it helps the admissions committee envision you within their academic community.

It's important to keep in mind that the story you tell through your application should be cohesive—if you can show a pattern of genuine exploration in your extracurriculars or personal statement, 'Undecided' can fit perfectly into your narrative. In any case, you typically have until the end of your sophomore year of college to declare a major, and you'll have ample opportunities to explore different subjects until then.

So, if you honestly haven't decided yet, it's perfectly fine to indicate that. Just make sure that the rest of your application reflects your interests and intellectual curiosity effectively.