Does applying undeclared hurt my chances?

I can't make up my mind about a major yet, so I was considering applying as undeclared. Would this hurt my chances of getting accepted? Is it better to pick something I might be interested in rather than leaving it undecided?

Applying as an undeclared or undecided major usually doesn't hurt your chances of admission, but it depends on the school and program. For colleges with competitive programs or majors, it may be more challenging to be admitted into those particular tracks later on if you initially apply as undeclared and then decide one of them is in fact right for you. However, many schools understand that students might not have figured out their exact path yet and are open to students exploring different fields before deciding on a major.

While being undeclared might not negatively affect your overall chances, at many schools there also isn't any reason not to list some things that you are at least interested in. Generally, what you say on your Common App is not binding, but again there are exceptions with particular specialized programs, so make sure you're clear on each of your school's policies, and reach out to the admissions department directly if you're at all confused.

If there is not associated commitment, there's no disadvantage to giving the admissions committee insight into your academic interests and demonstrating your sincerity in exploring different disciplines. So, discuss the subjects that interest you, any related extracurricular activities, or other pursuits you're passionate about in your essays or activities list, and reflect your interests when filling out potential majors.

To summarize, if you have a general idea of what fields you might be interested in, you can apply to a major in that area and usually still be able to change majors later if necessary. That being said, it's still important to be genuinely interested in the major you apply to, as you want the information in your application to be accurate, so take some time to explore your options before making a decision.

Good luck with your academic pursuits in college!