<p>i was just wondering: how much, at all, do colleges consider your perspective major if you have one? if you have a common major, will that make you less competitive, while writing down a more rare major will make you seem more interesting? this isn't exactly a pressing concern, but i'm just curious. i'm planning on majoring in IR or poly sci with a focus in the middle east, but in the end i may choose to focus more and major in middle eastern studies or islamic studies, since a lot of the schools i'm considering offer those as majors. so i was just wondering, would writing down islamic studies as an intended major instead of IR look more interesting on an application? or would it not make a difference?
thanks for your responses! :)</p>
<p>They consider it, but it doesn’t make a whole lot of a difference.</p>
<p>The only cases where it’s likely to make a big difference are where you’re applying to one of their smaller programs <em>and</em> have shown interest in that subject area with your activities and achievements.</p>
<p>As long as you’re not applying to an entirely separate school (ie, engineering or nursing), it will make very little difference, if any at all. </p>
<p>The exceptions:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>you’re applying a program they’re specifically trying to cultivate a reputation for (ie, the sciences at Yale)</p>