So, I’ve heard that many colleges can see “through” your application and tell if you’re really passionate or not about your area of intended study. My problem is that I want to go into a Physics field, yet everything I’ve done points to Humanities. My ACT score is 35 English but 34 STEM, my AP tests favor humanities (my 5s have come from humanities), I’m in National English Honors Society and won an award for a short story I wrote, my two letters of recommendation will be from humanities teachers, and on my Subject Test practices, I consistently keep scoring 800 on the Lit while my Math 2 ranges from 780-800. The only thing that points to Physics are my essays. Technically I did score higher on the math portion of the SAT, however, it was a 1480, so I don’t think I’ll be submitting that score unless necessary. Am I screwed if I apply for a STEM major because my application favors humanities?
What do your ECs say about you? Test scores are just one piece of the puzzle. Are you taking the most rigorous classes available in math and science, and taking four years of each? Did you take any AP or subject tests in physics?
There is no easy phrasing like, “See through you.” But if you’re interested in stem, why no math or sci activities? They’re looking fok ids whose activities reflect what they say. “Show, not just tell.”
And if you want stem and an Ivy, the AP Tests are going to be an issue, for stem: the 3 nd 4 in AP calc, the 3 in AP chem.
How much have you picked up the ball and looked at what the indiviual colleges say they look for? You realize the competition will have it all?
Remember you have your teacher letters of recommendation too who can speak to your enthusiasm in STEM courses.
I doubt adcoms will really care which section of your ACTs you scored marginally higher in given that they’re all very high – I would take steps to participate in more STEM-related activities and explain in your personal statement what it is that draws you to the field.
There are tons of schools that don’t require you to apply into a specific major and, even where you must, you can often apply undeclared or exploratory studies. Of course, if you are attending a school where physics is in an arts and sciences college (rather than engineering), you can also change your major from a different arts and sciences major once you are enrolled. The only place where you could have an issue is if you are admitted into a school as, for example, and English major and then try to move into an engineering program within that university. (Even that is possible sometimes.)
You don’t even have to talk about physics in your application if you are concerned about it not being believable.
You need to show how you were drawn to physics and why it’s not just momentary curiosity. There’re plenty of examples of people successfully switched from one side to the other, but you need to tell your story.
Thank you guys for your advice. Logically, it makes much more sense to apply for a humanities major for me, and it would probably boost my admissions too. However, the humanities make me want to fall asleep, and I can’t stand them. My problem is that I hate what I’m best at. At this point, I’d rather apply for something that I thoroughly enjoy rather than apply to a humanities field and suffer through college. It’s not rational, but it’s how I feel. I wrote a pretty great essay (subjective obviously) detailing my situation, so hopefully, the AOs will understand. If they don’t, then it’s on to the next college because I’d honestly rather study Physics at UGA than study English at Princeton.
Admissions is just a gate you have to go through, and afterwards you have much more freedom.
Tell them you want to be in the humanities. They will believe you, and afterwards do what you want.
Do what you feel is best. But understand that if you say you “thoroughly enjoy” stem, without ECs, it means only your academic experiences. It leaves a big gap re: why no ECs, if this is your supposed drive. Ivy adcoms look for the logic. And prep does include EC experiences.
It doesn’t matter if a top college doesn’t officially accept by major. They’re looking for your thinking and follow through. You willingly chose a hum activities, despite saying here that you hate them. No, it won’t make sense. It won’t put you in a competitive position, against others.
On top of that, the stem AP scores don’t reflect stem strength.
Think carefully.
And the essay is not meant to explain this inconsistency.
I’m going to disagree with that assessment without even reading the essay. It is the rare situation (and this, IMO, is not one of them) that requires a further explanation form the applicant. And it is even more rare for a 17 year-old to write an “explanation” that does not come across as whining/providing excuses/patronizing
apply to colleges/Universities that dont require you to declare your intent to major in a specific area in your application.
that way you have the ability to major in any area of study available.
You all are overthinking this. The Princeton application is very clear;“Your choice is not binding in any way:”
Put English or put physics. It does not matter. With a 95% rejection rate, I will bet money that if you get rejected (and I hope you don’t) it will not be because you answered the potential major question “wrong.” Good luck.
“Not binding” doesn’t mean not considered or not important. Nor does it mean you can just amble through the process, put whatever strikes you at the moment.
For a tippy top, the typical stem wannabe admit can show how he/she explored the proclaimed interests and is spot-on ready to pursue that, among highly prepared, highly competitive peers. This is not a crapshoot, not just about maybe getting lucky. You may see competition as for an admit but adcoms look at your competitive suitability for the 4 years.
On top of this, a few days ago, you didn’t have a stem LoR lined up.
ps. If you put undecided, they’ll still look at what strengths. It sounds like that’s humanities, from the little I know about you. But they will still note the stem AP issues.
I only did humanities activities because I was always good at them, and my parents and teachers always encouraged me to to do them, while no one really encouraged me to go into STEM-related activities. That is a large part of my essay, it’s an extended metaphor surrounding the subject of me essentially finding myself and what I love and not trying to please my parents or other people who aren’t me. I don’t think it comes out whiny, but, again, it’s all subjective. Also, if my admission comes down to my lackluster AP scores in Calc, then I’ll just have to accept that. I do feel confident that I got a 800 on my Math 2 subject test, though. I’m sure that’d help a little bit at least. Too late to do anything about my AP tests now.
Edit: However, at Princeton, Physics is under the Bachelor of Arts, so it’d be easy (ish) to switch to Physics if I do choose to apply for humanities major.
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This is dangerous advice. Students really have to do the research for each school as policies vary.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21703541#Comment_21703541
So, I haven’t divulged this information yet (probably should have), but there is one humanities field that I’m interested in - Psychology. However, a degree in Psychology isn’t the best to have right now as there are loads of people with this in the job market. At least, that’s what I’ve read. I would plan on getting a PH.D in either field I choose if that affects anything. One of the reasons I strayed from Psych is because of its real-world practicality. Obviously, I’m looking to major in something I’m interested in but also has good job opportunities after college. Psych checks the first box at least.
It does worry me when kids aim high and don’t seem aware of some common nuances. You’ve noted some top colleges and should know (plus posters have mentioned) that, if admitted, majors aren’t binding, as ski said. You could start with psych and take other classes.
I don’t advocate this twist, not at all. You really should have pursued something stem, but that’s past now. So the question could be, how could you “show” this interest in psych, what have you done that you feel is related to people their profiles and needs?
As for jobs, you could go read about poster juillet’s experiences and work, with a higher degree in psych.
Have you considered science journalism or technical writing careers?
The differences in your test scores between humanities and STEM is minor. I don’t think your test scores say anything about being better suited or matched to humanities versus STEM. All those scores tell colleges (even the “lower” SAT and Calc AP scores) is that you are probably a strong student capable of college work, no matter what subject. If you want to pursue Physics then pursue Physics.
I agree with NorthenMom61 in that top tier colleges are looking for strong students capable of college work regardless of subject. Personally, I think that college should be a time of exploration. I mean, how many 18 yo know exactly what they want to do which is why a choice of major often not binding at many institutions. I did hear AO at UCSB mention “seeing through an application” but it was said in a context of kids applying for humanities major thinking that they can change into highly competitive majors like engineering or business later. While a choice of major is not binding, many schools accept students into specific colleges/schools within a university. In this regard, Physics generally falls into the school of Arts & Science which is no different than most humanities majors. You didn’t mention your GPA or extracurriculars, but ACT score alone seems to be good for either humanities or STEM provided you took some rigorous courses in math and science through your senior year. You will see that math is rather critical when you look at graduation requirements for physics major at most colleges.