What are the easiest programs to get into at universities?

Hello everyone! I'm just starting my college search and obviously, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I know that some programs are more competitive than others, so I'm just curious, what are generally considered the 'easiest' programs to get into at universities? Not looking for a free ride or anything, just trying to gauge my options and see where I might have the best chances. Thanks in advance for any insights!

Program competitiveness varies enormously across universities, so it's difficult to blanket-statement say which programs are ubiquitously easy to get into. That said, in general, less competitive majors tend to be those that are less popular or have less job demand after graduation, such as some humanities, arts, and social science disciplines.

However, I would strongly advise not choosing your major solely based on its perceived competitiveness. It's crucial to pick a program that matches your passion, strength, and career goals. Going through a major you're not truly interested in can not only make your college experience less enjoyable, but it can also negatively impact your performance and may even lengthen your time to graduation if you decide to switch later on or need to attend graduate school to get into your desired field.

It's better to have a solid GPA in a more competitive and relevant field than a stellar GPA in a major that won't get you where you want to go. Remember, even within the more competitive majors, there are usually less competitive universities, so you can still pursue your field at a school that matches your academic profile.

The best way to identify where you'd have the best chances is to look at the typical admitted student profile of a school's program—most universities provide this information online. Looking at your GPA and SAT/ACT scores (if relevant) compared to these averages can give you a good idea of where you stand. Remember, these are averages, so you don't have to meet or exceed these numbers exactly to be admitted. If your scores are within range, it could be a good option for you.

And don't forget about holistic review! Many universities consider your whole application, not just grades and test scores, so strong essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars can give you a boost even if your academic stats are a bit lower.