Hey, I'm just a junior trying to figure out what I want to study in college, and I'm curious about what majors are the most competitive. I've been hearing that Engineering and Pre-Med are insanely competitive, is this true? Are there any other majors that I should know about in terms of competitiveness?
You're right that Engineering and Pre-Med, which is typically a track rather than a major unto itself, are considered highly competitive at many institutions. These involve rigorous coursework and usually have additional requirements such as labs or practical sessions, which may cause them to have more limited space and consequently be more selective.
In addition to those, Business or Finance related majors at certain universities can also be quite competitive. An obvious example would be the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, which has a distinct application process to gain admission into their undergraduate business program. Similarly, Computer Science has become exceedingly competitive in the last few years due to the increasing demand for professionals in tech fields. This is especially true at schools known for their strong computer science programs, like MIT or Stanford.
Fine Arts and Performing Arts majors can also be very competitive. These require auditions or portfolios and usually have a limited number of seats. As an example, admission to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University is highly selective, with portions of the evaluation process dedicated to assessing a student’s artistic talent.
However, the competitiveness can vary quite a bit from one school to another, so it's really important to research each school individually. Additionally, remember that just because a major is competitive doesn't mean it's the best fit for you. It's crucial to choose a major that aligns with your interests, passion, and career goals. After all, you'll potentially be working within your chosen major's field for many years to come!
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