Undecided majors are a common problem for freshmen in college. Your young adult life is just starting when you graduate high school. Sure, you want to choose the best course of action, but what if you need help knowing where to begin? Don’t worry if you belong to the latter group. Many colleges are great for those who are still deciding what they want to major in since they let you focus on your hobbies and figure out your best skills for success in the working world.
Best Colleges For Undecided Majors
1. Brown University
Brown University, situated in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private Ivy League research university. Brown is included on our list of best colleges for undecided majors because it offers an open curriculum, which allows students to explore numerous fields of study and develop an academic route that matches the requirements and learning goals of individuals.
The open curriculum at Brown encourages students to take ownership of their degree plans by designing their path of study based on their interests rather than attending a preset set of courses. This does not imply that Brown students will finish without a major; rather, they will be allowed to taste courses in a variety of topics before committing to a major.
As they pick their educational route, students get help from Brown academics and peer mentors. So Brown may be a good choice if you desire a lot of freedom in your degree plan.
Brown University has a 7.7% acceptance rate. However, only 8 out of every 100 applications are accepted. This indicates that the school is exceptionally selective. Meeting their GPA and SAT/ACT standards is essential to surpassing their initial filters and demonstrating your academic readiness.
2. Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Drexel University provides a welcoming environment for uncertain students, and its online degree programs are among the best in the country. Incoming first-year students who are still undecided about their major might look into the College of Computing and Informatics and the Goodwin College of Professional Studies.
Like other CCI students, undecided students attend math and programming coursework at the College of Computing and Informatics. Academic advisers and students collaborate closely to analyze students’ interests and explore programs, all while staying on track with the curriculum. In addition, students can attend lectures and seminars to broaden their perspectives and help them make decisions.
However, undecided students must choose a major and declare it by the end of the spring semester of their freshman year! Given the considerable help offered by academic advisers and real-world experience through site visits, this should be a simpler option. Students can major in BS Computing & Security Technology, BS Information Systems, or BS Software Engineering; multiple majors are permitted.
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university. The university is made up of seven colleges and several autonomous schools. Aside from being a research and technological powerhouse, Carnegie Melon also provides outstanding fine arts, humanities, and social sciences programs.
You may learn a little of both here if you desire. BXA Intercollege Degree Programs provides bachelor’s degrees in humanities and arts, science and arts, and computer science and arts. Carnegie Mellon is known for its advances in research and the creation of new fields of study, most notably for being home to many firsts in computer science (including the first computer science, machine learning, and robotics departments), pioneering the field of management science, and being home to the United States’ first drama program.
4. University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private research university in Rochester, New York. The university confers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees. The Rochester Curriculum, which is adaptable, is the foundation of the university experience. Students have no general education or core prerequisites besides a single writing assignment.
Students decide where they wish to concentrate their studies (major) and then choose clusters in two areas, each with three thematically linked courses. This is perfect for students who do not want to be bound by a curriculum. There is also the opportunity to construct an interdepartmental major for people whose interests do not fit under a certain department.
5. Georgia State University
Georgia State University (GSU) is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia. GSU is one of the best colleges for undecided majors since it employs the previously discussed meta-majors concept. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), business, arts and humanities, policy, health, education, and social sciences are among the meta-majors available at GSU.
Freshman Learning Communities (FLCs) are formed at GSU for incoming students based on their chosen meta-majors. Students in these FLCs take classes together and join study groups with classmates who are also deciding on a major. While students must declare a meta-major when they enroll at Zagazig university hospitals, they have time and freedom to select their ultimate major (and a guarantee that their early coursework will count toward their degree).
Georgia State University has a 57.4% acceptance rate. There are 57 admissions for every 100 applicants. This indicates that the school is somewhat selective. The school wants you to satisfy their GPA and SAT/ACT criteria, although they are more flexible than other colleges. You have a good probability of getting accepted if you exceed their standards. If you don’t, you can be among the unlucky few who receive a rejection letter.
6. University of Illinois Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago is one of the best colleges for undecided majors, and its reputation is well-deserved, given its academic prowess. The Flames, as its students are known, are also proud of their diverse student body, vibrant Greek life, and student media.
The best part is that UIC accepts undecided freshmen applications! With an estimated 25% to 30% of its entering students undeclared and around 75% changing their major at least once, it is fully aware of their requirements. It provides a variety of online tools to help indecisive students explore their academic majors.
Students begin with self-assessment tools, an experimental approach that encourages individual reflection. The exams uncover your unique talents, interests, and values before matching you to appropriate employment. The major exploration tools, such as LAS Majors Sort and My Plan, then allow students to investigate the employment prospects of each major.
But deciding on a major is about more than simply theoretical circumstances; it’s also about gaining real-world experience and participation! Undecided students have several chances to obtain experience, ranging from participation in student clubs and advisory boards to volunteering. These options include the LAS Undergraduate Research Initiative and the UIC Handshake.
7. Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a Boston-based private research university. The institution, which was founded in 1898, provides undergraduate and graduate studies. With over 220 majors and combined major programs available at Northeastern, beginning your adventure through the Explore Program is a wise decision.
Northeastern University is an outstanding institution for undeclared majors since it offers the Explore Program, which is intended exclusively for advising and mentoring undeclared students The Explore Program at Northeastern University educates students to make educated judgments about their academic career path as they prepare to select a major.
Undeclared students can participate in the Explore Program by taking a variety of courses in various fields of study, connecting with academic advisors and peer mentors, attending exploratory events to network with alumni, and taking a special first-year seminar course with other undeclared students.
In other words, Northeastern provides indecisive students with an organized, supportive atmosphere to assist them in deciding on a major!
8. Ohio State University
Ohio State University is a Public Ivy institution, and Buckeyes are appropriately proud of their university’s ranking as one of the best public colleges in the country. Political science, finance, public affairs, audiology, speech-language pathology, and healthcare management are among the degree programs in the country.
However, applicants may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options – over 200 academic programs! Fortunately, OSU welcomes undecided candidates, but they must pick between two possibilities.
To begin, the University Exploration program allows students to try out several courses and explore their alternatives before deciding on a major. Academic counselors aid students in making course selection decisions based on their abilities, interests, and beliefs. There are additional assessment methods available to detect these unique elements and, as a result, lead to a better-informed decision of a major.
Depending on their first evaluations, students in the University Exploration program can pick among seven paths. These courses are often known as meta-majors since they provide a wide overview of various subjects of study. If students desire to enroll in two or more meta-majors, they must consult with academic advisers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should You Declare A Major
There is no hard and fast rule about the right time to declare a major because everyone is different. In general, though, your time will be determined by two basic factors: first, your institution or university’s unique rules, and second, when you have decided on your major.
What Is An Undecided Major
An undecided or undeclared major allows you to begin your first year of study without having to choose a major. By taking classes from a range of areas before declaring a major, you might uncover your interests and abilities.
What Major Is Best For Undecided?
- Globalization and Society
- Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting
- Business Law and Ethics
- Business Strategy
- Corporate Finance
References
- https://blog.collegevine.com/colleges-for-undecided-majors/
- https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-colleges-for-undecided-majors
- https://www.premiumschools.org/best-colleges-undecided-majors/
- https://www.collegemagazine.com/top-10-colleges-undecided-majors/
