Admissions Officers' Favorite College Majors

Hey, I'm currently a junior and weighing out my options for potential college majors. I wonder, do college admissions officers actually favor certain majors over others during the admissions process? If so, which majors are most desirable to them? Any insight would be much appreciated!

It's a common misconception that college admissions officers favor certain majors over others in the admissions process. The truth is, colleges are aiming to build a diverse class with a wide array of academic interests. An applicant’s choice of major can be an important factor in admissions decisions, but not because one major is “better" or "more desirable" than another.

Your prospective major can influence the admissions decision process in different ways. For instance, some programs or departments might be more competitive than others because more students are trying to get in. Applying for an impacted major at a university (like computer science at many technical colleges) could affect your chances simply because of the high amount of demand, so it might be more challenging to get into these programs compared to others due to the limited space.

That said, showing a strong, authentic interest in whatever major you place on your application can help your chances of admission. Whether your interest lies in Anthropology, Bioengineering, or English Literature, your passion for that field should be evident in your application—through your activities, your personal essay, and your course selection in high school. You should choose a major that genuinely interests you and aligns with your future career goals. Being authentic is more important than trying to game the system by choosing what you think is the most "impressive" major.

Remember, many students change their major multiple times during their college career, and admissions officers are aware of this. It's more about how you express your intellectual curiosity and commitment to your current interests than the specific major you list on your application!

In conclusion, while an applicant's prospective major does play a role in the admissions process, it's not about choosing the "most desirable" major to admissions officers, but rather about choosing a major that authentically aligns with your interests and goals.