Can you apply for one major and then switch to another when it comes time to enroll?

This kind of got me thinking today. A lot of the EC’s I take part in right now are non-science related. Although, my plan is to major in something science related (preferably BME). Would this seem confusing to the admissions office? Looking at my EC’s and potential essays that revolve around those very EC’s showing my ‘passion’, while at the same time applying for a major that has nothing to do with what I’m so fond of. My EC’s mainly consist of debate, speech, KYA (mock Kentucky general assembly), KUNA (basically model UN), and the one science related activity - science olympiad.

Is it possible that whatever college I apply to, I put down either a political science, economics, history, or even an IR major to increase my chances? Not really sure how colleges value your major to EC ‘thing’, so I thought I would ask. I’m a sophomore right now anyways so I can’t say it will really have that much of an impact.

It kind of depends. If the major is within the same school as the major you want to be in, it’s doable. However, if it’s not (e.g. switching from College of Arts and Sciences to WealthyBenefactor School of Engineering) - that’s impossible to switch majors between.

Your ECs look like a PoliSci major, but there’s absolutely no reason that you wouldn’t be taken seriously when applying for Biology, for example. All of those ECs involve critical thinking, public speaking, creativity- all valued in any major.

If you’re looking at state schools, I would apply under the major that you’re most interested in as it can be a nightmare to switch. If you’re looking at privates and LACs, you have a lot more leeway.

Some colleges don’t admit by majors. Highly competitive colleges have seen it all, so I wouldn’t bank on being able to get accepted to a college as one major and then transferring to a different one. It can be really difficult to switch majors at some schools, so I’d only apply for majors you actually want to study.

At some colleges you are admitted to the college and you can switch majors easily. Other colleges will not allow this. For example, if you are admitted to Carnegie Mellon as a history major you cannot switch to computer science. They will not let you play the type of game that you are considering.

Considering your EC’s, why do you want to major in BME?
Note that’s the only Engineering specialty that requires grad school.
Anyway: universities with a college of engineering won’t let you apply to Liberal Arts and switch to Engineering. Some universities will allow you to apply “Undecided”. Engineering admissions often rely on your having taken bio, chem, physics + APChem/AP Physics (1 or 2 and/or C) as well as calculus (Honors, AB, or BC), and received an A in all of these + high SAT scores with 700+ in Math.
What universities are you considering?

@MYOS1634 To be honest, I don’t know what I want to major in. I want to major in something science related, which is why I posted this specific question. I understand that my major doesn’t really flow with my so-called ‘personal narrative’ and doesn’t exactly reflect my interests. The reasons I take part in these EC’s is that I enjoy them and I’m quite good at them. If that wasn’t the case, especially my second reason, I would have easily switched my EC’s to something more science related and not so PoliSci. Although, just because I enjoy these EC’s outside of school does not mean I want this to be my center focus when it comes to academics. I want a science related career mainly because of the opportunity in the STEM field. My parents are both doctors and are encouraging me to pursue the medical field. I’m willing to give it a shot, which is why I’m interning at hospitals and conducting some research as well, next year.
The classes you listed are ones I’ve already planned on taking for a long time now. I’ve taken AP Bio so far. I will be taking AP Physics next year and AP chem the year after. AP Physics C will probably be taken Senior year for me. AP Calculus will be next year as well.
I also plan to take the SAT this August. Telling by my practice tests, I have a fair shot at a 1500+ if I continue practicing and reviewing before the test.
I’m considering top 50 universities like most people on this forum. My safety school(s) will most likely be my state schools: University of Kentucky and UofL. My reach schools will by schools like Boston University, NYU, Standford (Been my dream for a while) and other schools such as these.
I’m currently a rising Sophomore anyways so I’ve got a whole lotta time before I even have to think about any of this. I just get curious so I occasionally ask these questions

You don’t have to do STEM ECs if you want to be a STEM Major…you should have taken STEM classes to prepare you.

College will see you are prepared for Biomedical engineering if you have taken Calculus and Physics and Chemistry.

They will see you can balance ECs and grades if they see all your activities and your good grades.

They will see Leadership if you have leadership in your ECs. That is what they care about.

Will you be a productive member of the college community? They will want engineers that can speak and debate…not just all Math Contest winners.

Check out Case Western Reserve U …they have a Single Door Admissions policy so if you get in, you can major in whatever you want or switch or whatever.

@bopper I do plan on, and am currently, taking STEM-related classes. I’ve taken AP Biology so far, and plan on taking AP Physics next year and AP Chemistry the year after. AP Calculus will probably be taken the same year as AP Chemistry. I realize that you don’t have to take part in STEM ECs. I was only asking this because I’ve heard from several people now that my ECs are more PoliSci related and that there’s a possibility my chances could be increased by applying under that very major.

For med school, you can absolutely major in political science while taking the premed prereqs (this would actually make you more interesting for med schools).
You do need a strong science background for the premed prereqs but premed isn’t a major so you could apply for Political science.