Is selecting a major required in the college admission process?

I'm unsure about my future major and anxious about applications that require selecting one. Is it always necessary to choose a major when applying, or are there options for undecided students?

Firstly, let's alleviate your anxiety a bit: it's perfectly normal to be undecided about your major. In fact, many students enter college as "undeclared" or "undecided" and colleges understand this. They know that high school students may not have had sufficient exposure to all the potential fields of study available.

To answer your direct question, the requirement of declaring a major during the application process varies from college to college. Some colleges may ask you to select a major or a school/college (like the College of Engineering or College of Arts and Science) within the university when applying, while others don't require you to declare until the end of your sophomore year.

In universities where you apply to a specific college or school, keep in mind that the admission rates and the qualifications of admitted students can greatly vary across these colleges within a university. For instance, the school of engineering might be more competitive than the college of arts and sciences. If you genuinely have an interest in a particular field and believe your application aligns well with that field, you might choose to apply there.

For undecided students, many universities offer an "undeclared" or "exploratory" option for students who haven't quite decided on a major. This option gives you some time to take general education courses, explore different fields, and make an informed decision about your major.

However, remember that sometimes, switching majors – particularly into competitive programs – might be difficult after you've been admitted. For universities where you apply to a specific school or program, it can be particularly challenging to transfer from one school to another. It's recommended to thoroughly research the policies of the colleges you're interested in to understand their guidelines around changing majors.

In conclusion, while some colleges require the declaration of a major upfront, many others allow you considerable flexibility. Don't fret if you're undecided— there's plenty of support available in college to help you make that decision when the time comes.