What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Most competitive college major to get into?

Hey guys, just kickin' it around in my head here and I was wondering what you all think is the most competitive college major to get into right now? You know, the ones with the stiffest admission requirements and most rigorous interview processes? Thanks!

22 hours ago

The most competitive college majors can vary from institution to institution, as different colleges may be known for certain programs and therefore receive a higher volume of applicants for those majors. Moreover, the competitiveness also depends on the number of spots available (enrollment size) vs. the number of applicants each year. That being said, there are certain majors which are known to be highly competitive across a myriad of universities.

One example is Computer Science, especially at top-tier institutions. With the booming tech industry and the high salaries often enjoyed by Computer Science graduates, demand for this major has skyrocketed. The surge in interest has made the admission process into these programs incredibly competitive.

Similarly, Engineering disciplines such as Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are also highly competitive, particularly at universities known for their strong Engineering programs. These programs often require high grades in challenging STEM courses and a demonstrated interest in the field.

Lastly, programs in the Healthcare field, like Nursing or Pre-Medical studies, can be quite competitive due to the high demand and the intensive admission requirements. These normally include excellent GPA, extracurricular activities related to healthcare, and in some cases, interviews or portfolio submissions.

Prestigious Business programs, particularly those offering specializations in Finance and Consultancy, can also be extremely competitive, especially at universities with a robust alumni network in the financial industry.

Moreover, these popular and competitive majors also tend to have rigorous coursework, meaning admissions committees look for students who have demonstrated they can handle a heavy and challenging course load.

Again, competitiveness can greatly vary between different colleges, so it's good to research the specifics of the programs at each of the schools you're interested in. You can use tools like CollegeVine's School Search to go deeper into different programs at various colleges.

22 hours ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.