College acceptance rates by major

Hi everyone, I'm applying to college soon and I'm curious about how acceptance rates vary by major. Do any of you have information or resources that could help me understand this better?

Hi there! Acceptance rates can indeed vary by major, especially at universities with competitive programs or unique schools within the university. Factors including the number of applicants, available spots, and the competitiveness of the program can influence the acceptance rate for a particular major.

Unfortunately, detailed acceptance rates by major are not publicly available for most schools. However, you can often find general information about the popularity and competitiveness of certain majors by checking the college's website or contacting their admissions office.

Here's what you can do to get a rough idea of how acceptance rates might vary for different majors at your target colleges:

1. Research the college's strengths: If a college is well known for a particular program or field of study, that major will likely be more competitive than others at the same school. For example, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is renowned for computer science and engineering, so those majors might be more competitive than humanities majors there.

2. Inquire about the enrolled class profile: Some colleges provide information about the enrolled class profile, which includes the percentage of students admitted into each major or school within the university. This can give you a better understanding of which majors might be more competitive.

3. Look for "impacted" majors: Some colleges have "impacted" majors, meaning the major is so popular or competitive that it does not have enough spots to accommodate all its applicants, thus leading to additional admission requirements. Doing a search for "[college name] impacted majors" may give you an idea of which majors are particularly competitive at that school.

4. Reach out to the admissions office: If you're still uncertain, calling or emailing the admissions office of your target colleges is a good option. They may have useful information about the competitiveness and acceptance rates by major, or they can direct you to resources that'll help.

While it's essential to have this information in mind, remember that your choice of major should ultimately be based on your passion and long-term career goals. Good luck with your college applications!