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Showing Off Your "Major Potential"
Your Academic Spark and Major Fit
The college application journey, especially for selective schools, can feel like a high-stakes game. Students often fixate on a specific career, believing that choosing a corresponding major is the magic key to admission. But here's the secret: it's not about chasing a dream job, it's about igniting your academic spark.
In determining fit for a specific major, colleges look for evidence that the applicant will be successful in that area of study. The review is designed to assess a student's experiences-to-date that connect to that area of study and might focus on:
- depth of experiences and outcomes
- issues you care about
- courses taken that signal a fit for that area of study -- especially in a rigorous field
Selective colleges, particularly those with defined programs, are looking for genuine passion and demonstrated potential. They want to see that your chosen major isn't just a stepping stone to a career, but a reflection of your intellectual curiosity and unique strengths. As an educational consultant, I often see students and parents focusing on the "what" (the career) before the "why" (the genuine interest).
Instead of starting with a career goal, embark on a journey of self-discovery. Ask yourself these important questions, and let the answers sink in:
- Do you enjoy a particular academic subject? Which classes make you excited to learn more? Which topics do you find yourself reading about in your free time? What makes you think, "Wow, I want to learn more about this!"?
- What issues and subjects are you excited about? What problems in the world do you care about solving? What ideas ignite your curiosity? Where do you feel you can make a difference?
- Think about the extracurricular and/or work activities you have most enjoyed. Where have you felt most engaged and fulfilled ? What skills have you developed and enjoyed using? Where do you lose track of time because you're so absorbed in what you're doing?
- In what academic subjects are you naturally strongest? Which subjects come easily to you and allow you to excel? Where do you feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence? The answers might tell you a lot about your native talents.
Answers to these questions can throw light on potential academic interests and major fit.
Examples of interests and major fit
- A student who loves debating, researching complex issues, and excels in history and English might be a great fit for a major in political science or history.
- A student who enjoys building things, solving puzzles, and is strong in math and physics might thrive in an engineering program.
- And a student who enjoys analyzing trends, strategizing, and working with others might find their niche in business.
Selective college majors want to see evidence of your interest in a particular field. This evidence comes from your background experiences. Let's brainstorm some ideas...
- Computer Science: Participate in coding competitions, develop your own apps, contribute to open-source projects, or even just tinker with Raspberry Pi.
- Engineering: Join a robotics club, build a drone, participate in a science Olympiad, or volunteer at a maker space.
- Business: Start a small business, volunteer for the finance committee at your school, join the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), shadow a professional in the business world, or take an online course in entrepreneurship.
For business, think about what aspects intrigue you most. Is it the analytical side, like finance or accounting? The creative side, like marketing or advertising? The strategic side, like management or entrepreneurship? Each of these can lead to different experiences. Maybe you volunteer to manage the finances for a school club, create a marketing campaign for a local charity, or interview a local business owner about their journey.
Summary and best advice
When it comes time to apply, don't just say you're interested in something – show it! Get involved, explore, and discover what truly excites you. Focusing on background experiences and genuine fit for a major will significantly strengthen your college applications.
By focusing on the authentic "why" behind your chosen major, you'll not only increase your chances of admission to a selective program, but also set yourself up for a more fulfilling and successful college experience -- and ultimately -- a career you are likely to love.
Marla Platt, M.B.A. is an independent college consultant based in Sudbury, MA through AchieveCoach College Consulting, providing expert and personalized guidance to students and families throughout the college planning, search and admissions process. Marla is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and can be reached via www.achievecoach.com
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