Still Undecided - Which College is Best?

I'm having a hard time selecting a college to apply to because I'm not sure about my major yet. Anyone else feeling this way? Any schools known for welcoming undecided students? I'd appreciate some tips on tackling this situation or any experiences you can share.

Absolutely, it's completely normal to feel uncertain about your major when you're looking at colleges. Many students enter college as undecided, and that's completely okay! You're not alone in this.

There are several schools that have different programs in place to support students like you. For instance, Brown University has implemented an open curriculum, which simply means that aside from your major, you have the freedom to explore different areas of study without the burden of fulfilling a certain set of distribution requirements. This flexibility allows you to explore different fields before settling on a major, and you have until the end of your sophomore year to declare a major.

Similarly, the University of Minnesota's Center for Academic Planning & Exploration (CAPE) is dedicated to helping undecided undergraduate students with major exploration. From individualized coaching appointments to "Major Network" panel discussions, they provide a solid support system.

Another thing you can do is leverage the common data set; every college publishes a common data set (CDS) which provides statistics about its latest admissions class. The CDS includes how many students entered undecided and which majors are the most popular, which might help you get an idea of the atmosphere of the school, and how many students are also exploring their options.

In general, a liberal arts college might be a good choice. They typically allow a broad and multidisciplinary approach to learning, which can be helpful for students who are still exploring their interests. At a liberal arts college, you'll be able to sample courses from a variety of subjects before you have to declare a major.

Lastly, while it's important to consider how well a college accommodates undecided students, there are many other factors to consider in your college decision as well, like campus culture, location, cost, and possible financial aid. Remember that a lack of certainty about your major is just one piece of the puzzle.