Columbia Admissions: Choice of Major

Hi everyone! Long time lurker here. One Columbia supplemental essay asks to explain your intended field of study. Does your choice of major affect your admission chances at Columbia? For instance, would an intended biology major have a slightly better chance than an intended psychology major? Thank you!

Unlikely. I believe at Columbia you are admitted to Columbia College and admissions officers understand that you will be free to change majors once you enroll. I’ve been told from an admission officer at a different college that about half of students typically apply undecided and of those who come in with a major about half end up changing majors while at the college.

If your ECs, passions, and essays match biology, apply for biology. If not, you risk sending mixed messages to AOs.