Clair Blog · Admissions ·

Choosing Which College To Apply To Isn’t Always the Whole Story

When students talk about college admissions, they often focus on the school itself, asking, “How hard is it to get into this school?” At many universities, however, there’s another question that may be just as important -- “How hard is it to get into the program or major that I want?”

At large universities, admissions can vary significantly depending on the college, school, or academic program. Majors such as Computer Science, Business, Engineering, Nursing, and other high-demand programs can attract large numbers of applicants. At some universities, students may be admitted to the university but face a separate or more competitive process for their intended major.

That means two students applying to the same university may not necessarily face the same admissions process, or the same level of competition.

Why Your Major Matters

Popular majors tend to attract more students because of strong career interest, perceived job opportunities, and the reputation of certain programs. As a result, universities may handle admission to these programs differently. Depending on the school, you might:

  • Apply directly to a specific major or college;

  • Be admitted directly into your intended program;

  • Be admitted to the university but not the major you selected;

  • Enter as an undeclared student and apply to the major later; or

  • Need to meet additional requirements to enter a competitive program.

The details may vary considerably from one university to another.

Don’t Just Research the University

One of the biggest mistakes students can make is researching only the university's overall acceptance rate. If you have specific goals in mind, look instead at the specific academic program you're applying to and ask, "how does this university admit students to my intended major?" Then find out:

  • Is admission by major or by university?

  • Does my intended major have limited slots or is it especially competitive?

  • Am I guaranteed admission to the major if I'm admitted?

  • Can I change majors after enrolling?

  • Are there additional GPA or course requirements?

  • Is there a separate application process after freshman admission?

  • If I don't get my first-choice major, what happens?

A Useful Recommendation for Students

If you're set on pursuing a specific major, include an additional “major-specific admissions” column when building your college list.

Don't just consider: University | Overall Selectivity

Instead, track: University | Intended Major | Admission Process | Direct Admission? | Additional Requirements

This can reveal an important difference between two schools that may look similar on paper.

If your intended major is highly competitive, don't assume that being admitted to the university means you'll automatically be admitted to that program.

Read the major-specific admissions information carefully and have a backup plan for both your college list and your academic program.

The goal isn't to avoid competitive majors. It's to understand exactly what you're applying for so that you can achieve your career objectives.

Same university. Different programs. Different admissions realities.