Do you remember that cliche of asking elementary schoolers what they want to be when they grow up? They answer with jobs like supermodel, doctor, or even giraffe. It was all pretend back then, yet now, we are being asked the same question: What do you want to major in in college? Except, now there is the expectation that we have a realistic answer with a plan. And my answer to that question is “How the heck should I know?” Asking a seventeen-year-old what they want to be is just as ridiculous as asking an eight-year-old. So if, like me, you are not certain about what you want to major in, you should consider applying as undeclared.
This argument does not apply to you if you already have a clear career in mind, especially if it is something that will take a long time, like being a doctor or an engineer. This argument is for people who don’t have a clear college or career plan.
According to the New York Times, in 2013, only 27% of college graduates had jobs related to their major. It’s difficult to decide how to spend your life. People can change majors, find themselves with jobs completely unrelated to their major, or have a midlife crisis and decide to become a giraffe. By going into college undeclared, you can explore a wide variety of fields during your freshman and sophomore years, so you can decide your major with confidence.
Similarly, during the first two years at LASA, we were required to take four signature classes in distinct fields. Through that exposure, we found our strengths and weaknesses. Some colleges, Harvard included, require students to be undeclared for their first two years for the purpose of academic exploration, and most colleges have general curriculum requirements that make sure you can keep getting the credits you need while exploring various interests.
Some reasonable concerns about starting undeclared are that it will affect admission chances and will extend your time in college, thus increasing an already burdensome cost. To these concerns, I cannot offer catch-all assurances. Some colleges, such as the University of Toledo with its QUEST program, offer great support for being undeclared. At others, like Harvard, being undeclared is mandatory. Conversely, some majors require all four years of classes, like most engineering majors. So when considering a college, do research to see if they have programs to assist undeclared students to graduate on time. Also, ask admissions counselors if applying undeclared will hurt your chances. If applying undeclared will hurt your chances, then choose a major. In the same fashion you would apply for safeties and reaches, you can apply for a particular major in some places and undeclared in others.
High schoolers have their entire lives ahead of them. And that’s, ideally, a lot of time, so avoid pigeonholing yourself if you have no clue what you want to be when you grow up. There’s no shame in not knowing.