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Your chance of acceptance
Duke University

16%

UCLA

27%

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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)

Difference between Major and Degree?

Hey guys, I might be overthinking this, but what's the difference between a 'major' and a 'degree' in U.S. colleges? Is the major just a specialization within the degree program? I'm a little confused and wanted some clarity.

11 months ago

Hey there! No worries, it's quite common to have questions about this. I'm happy to provide some clarity. In U.S. colleges, a "major" refers to the subject or area of study you choose to focus on during your undergraduate education. It typically consists of a series of required courses and electives within a specific discipline. For example, you might choose to major in biology, psychology, or English.

On the other hand, a "degree" is the academic certification you'll receive after completing the required coursework, meeting credit requirements, and fulfilling any other graduation criteria set by the institution. Degrees are usually classified according to the level of education—for example, associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees.

In U.S. colleges, you'll commonly encounter bachelor's degrees such as Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S). The type of degree you'll receive depends on the college and the major you choose.

So, simplistically speaking, the major is the main area of study you choose to focus on, and the degree is the certification you're awarded upon completing the program requirements in that major. I hope this clears things up! Feel free to ask more questions if you need to.

11 months ago

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