Does applying to college as an undecided major look bad? For students who are still unsure about the path ahead, we'll breakdown the truth about undecided majors, what it means to colleges, and potential advantages and disadvantages of delaying the decision.
There are students who know what they want to study in college before they even get to high school. They've had their sights set on a specific field of study and have made an active effort to tailor their academic experience to nurturing that interest. However, that's not the case for everyone. And we'll share our insights on why it also doesn't have to be that way.
Table of Contents:
- Why is Applying as an Undecided Major More Popular?
- Does Applying Undecided Look Bad to Colleges?
- Do Colleges Want Students to Declare a Major?
- Pros and Cons of Applying Undecided
- Frequently Asked Questions about Undecided Majors
Key Takeaways:
- Applying to college undecided is not only common, but it's perfectly acceptable in the eyes of most colleges. In 2025, up to 70% of college applicants under the age of 25 applied to college undecided.
- Applying to college doesn't hurt a student's chances of acceptance. Colleges are less concerned about what a student majors in and more concerned with how students are (or are not) demonstrating initiative, curiosity, and academic exploration.
- There are just as many disadvantages as advantages when it comes to being an undecided major. A lot of flexibility comes with applying undecided, but it can also introduce unique challenges if a student doesn't take initiative and ownership in college.
- Students shouldn't apply undecided as an attempt to outsmart the college admissions process. This option is available to students who are genuinely unsure about what direction they'd like to go in academically and is a great route if they require more time to make a decision.
What Does Undecided Mean in College?
An undecided or undeclared major means a student has not yet chosen to specialize in a specific field of study or major. Most colleges will allow students to apply to their institution with a delayed declaration, and students may be surprised to learn that an increasing number of students are taking this route to college.
So, how common is being undecided? A 2025 study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 70% of college students under the age of 25 applied to college undecided. This tells us a few things:
- Declaring a major can be an intimidating task, and many students are opting to delay this decision.
- Students who are struggling with this decision are not alone.
- Even undecided students are being admitted to college.
It's safe to say that students who are unsure about their major or may be considering applying undecided shouldn't worry about being the "odd one out."
Why is Applying as an Undecided Major More Popular?
Some students reach senior year and are still unconvinced or unclear about the path forward. These could be students with varied interests, disjointed passions, and whose curiosities run in so many different directions that they have trouble boiling them down to one specific study.
Others may feel pressured to choose a "practical" major or something that is in high-demand, even if they aren't passionate about it. Especially with the rise of Artifical Intelligence (AI) and recent economic shifts, families are understandably worried about what jobs may become obsolete in upcoming years.
Applying undecided has become more popular because it reflects a very real reality: that students want flexibility. It also gives students the option of exploring different academic avenues while the economy and job market evolves. One could even look at undecided majors as a future-proof strategy as it gives students a chance to adapt to ongoing changes.
Does Applying Undecided Look Bad to Colleges?
No, it does not. Colleges understand that not every 17-year-old is ready to commit themselves fully to one endeavor for the rest of their lives. They also recognize the role they play in helping students discover themselves. Many colleges welcome undecided students because it shows that they're open to academic exploration. In fact, most colleges build their first-year programs around this very idea. Even declared students have the option of selecting electives outside their field of study. This opportunity allows students to branch out and identify new interests while cultivating existing ones.
A significant portion of college students change their major at least once. Students who apply undecided are simply upfront about where they are in the decision-making process and that level of honesty is something many colleges respect. In this next section, we'll discuss what colleges do care about and how students can weave those factors into their college application despite applying undecided.
Do Colleges Want Students to Declare a Major?
It may surprise students that colleges don't have a preference on major declaration. Why? Because they care more about initative. Some students may declare a major and never explore that area of study beyond their required courses. Other students might apply undecided but dive deeply into a wide range of subjects or extracurricular pursuits.
What college admissions officers want to see is that a student is curious, engaged, and taking ownership of their education. Declaring a major doesn't make one student more desireable than the next, it simply changes the way they are evaluated.
Our advice? Students should lean into the things they're passionate about. The only way for students to identify their interests is through academic and extracurricular exploration. The students who make the most out of their time in high school, and by extension, college, are those who take advantage of the opportunities presented to them. Even if a student discovers they absolutely loathe something by the end of it, it's still a valuable experience.
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Pros and Cons of Applying Undecided
Students should concern themselves less with what other people (even college admissions officers) want to see, and more with what they want for themselves. Applying undecided can be a smart choice for students who are genuinely unsure or divided between multiple areas of study.
Pros of Applying Undecided
Flexibility and Exploration
Applying undecided gives students more time to take a variety of courses and decide on their future. This can be especially helpful for students who attend a large, public university with hundreds of available courses. Some colleges are especially known for their unique course offerings. Interested in sports or looking to pick up a hobby? Pepperdine University offers a first-year introduction to surfing elective. Looking to go into film, media, or passionate about a specific movie or television show? Plenty of colleges offer courses that analyze beloved Hollywood media such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, or Lord of the Rings.
More Confidence & Less Longterm Regret
Students who apply undecided are less likely to feel boxed in by a choice they made in high school that ultimately dictates their future career. Students will ultimately feel more confident in their decision when they've had more time to consider their options and identify their passions.
Access to More Supportive Systems in College
Some high schools are limited in the resources and level of support they can offer each individual student. In college, students have access to a wider range of resources and structured support systems designed to help them answer hard-hitting questions. Students who apply undecided have access to professionals who are dedicated and responsible to helping students make the right academic choices.
Saving Money & Reducing Stress
College tuition isn't cheap, and attending college undecided and having a longer runway to make that big decision can help students avoid costly mistakes. If a student declares a major and later switches to something else, they may need to take extra semesters or additional courses to complete all their requirements, which ultimately increases tuition costs.
Likewise, applying undecided can signficantly reduce stress during the college admissions process. This will free up students from worrying about meeting certain major requirements or making a decision they may regret later.
Cons of Applying Undecided
Limited Access to Courses
While every college or university offers a wide range of courses to students, there is tiered system when it comes to who can take them. Students who declare majors (especially high-demand ones) are often given priority when registering for required courses. Undecided students may be placed lower on the registration queue or waitlisted until someone drops the course. This can put undecided students at a significant disadvantage of progressing in their studies if they miss out on the opportunity to enroll in introductory courses.
Academic Ownership and Proactive Planning
College is a place where students learn independence. Parents aren't there to cook meals and teachers will not chase after students for incomplete work. In other words, students are expected to take ownership of their lives once they transition from high school. For some students, this is an easy transition. For others, it can be extremely challenging. Undecided students will be required to take proactive (and additional) steps to enroll in courses, seek support, and understand the academic requirements they must meet to declare a major later.
A Negative Perception Regarding College Prepardness
Most colleges (about 90%) don't penalize students for applying undecided. The only exception here is if a student is interested in applying to a highly selective college such as Harvard, MIT, or Stanford. These colleges will likely expect a clearer sense of direction from students and could potentially question their college readiness. This doesn't mean they won't be admitted to college, but for these institutions, it may raise red flags on if that particular college is the right fit for them.
All in all, applying undecided isn't a disdvantage and there are plenty of reasons why a student may want to consider that route. Colleges don’t necessarily need their applicants to be gung-ho about doing pre-major prep work all through high school. They just want students to be gung-ho about something. We recommend students go find that "something."
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Frequently Asked Questions about Undecided Majors
Is it okay to switch or change your major in college?
Yes! A recent study reported that 25% of undergraduate students enrolled in a Bachelor's program changed their major at least once.
The important thing is that students take the time to identify what they want to specialize in, whether that be by taking additional courses or surveying their peers. Changing a major is very common, but students want to avoid wasting their four years at college.
Do undecided majors graduate on time?
Yes, undecided majors progress and graduate from college at the same pace as declared major students. The only time this wouldn't happen is if a student does not stay on top of their studies.
Can undecided students get into competitive programs later?
It depends on the program. Some high-demand and highly competitive programs will be difficult to declare, even after a student transitions to college. The likelihood of this happening also demands on the college. Some colleges have unique rules when it comes to major changes. Do the research and create a plan early.
What can I do to find the right major?
Finding the right major starts with self-reflection and exploration. Students should ask themselves questions such as:
- What subjects interest me?
- What subjects do not interest me?
- What careers can I imagine myself in?
- What am I good or bad at academically?
Once students have answers to some of these questions, they can start to take proactive steps toward deciding on a specific major. Finding a major doesn't happen overnight, it takes intentional planning and exploration, and overtime students will start to learn what excites them and what doesnt!
About Us: With more than twenty-six years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the student. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for you to be your best self - whether it’s in the classroom, in your applications or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of tools include counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, leading to a 4x higher than average admissions rates.
