Do colleges ever look at your second choice major?

Applying to College
1

I recently applied to an ED where my first choice was CS (which is really competitive) and then a second choice major for something much less competitive but I was passionate about (and had adequate credits and ECs for): History of Science and Technology

I was in the SAT 50 percentile, showed lots of interest, had good grades, above average and related ECs, and quirky essays. I understand I may not have been competitive for CS, but I was hoping at least I’d get in for the easier second choice major because I was a competitive applicant in general.

Does this prove that second choice majors doesn’t matter? And even if it doesnt and I didn’t get admitted for some other reason… is it a common understanding that writing second choice (less competitive) majors are not really considered?

I also noticed for colleges that I get acceptance letters for they never told me whether I got in for my first choice or second choice major. What does this mean? Does this also prove my point?

Just really trying to understand this process. Thank you for your time

2

It depends on the school. Usually though, if a school is asking for a secondary major, it’s because they will consider it if you aren’t accepted into your first choice.

My D applied two cycles ago and a number of students on the Purdue and UMD sub forums were only accepted into their secondary majors.

3

My daughter and a number of her classmates were accepted for their second choice majors (and their acceptance letters state the major). If a school asks for it, one assumes that they consider it if rejected for first choice. If a school just doesn’t think you are a fit, then the actual major may be less important.

4

That isn’t how you do a proof by contradiction.

5

If major matters for admission, then if you are not admitted to your first choice major but are admitted to the school, it may be competitive to get into your first choice major after enrolling.

6

No, the fact that one person did not get admitted does not prove a global truth.