<p>Is it better to during the admissions process approach colleges with a broad, open-mindind view on intended major or to express your leaning towards a certain subject, maybe showing interest in specific programs, profs, etc. </p>
<p>As of now I think that I want to work in the United States Foreign Service, eventually hoping to land a job as an ambassador. If I get accepted to Yale I think I want to double major in International Studies (which can only be taken as a second major) and either History, Political Science, maybe European Studies.</p>
<p>Is it better? It’s inconsequential as far as admissions is concerned. Yale constantly stresses this point. List a potential major if one stands out to you. Otherwise, feel confident in leaving it “undecided” if that’s what you really are.</p>
<p>As for foreign service, be great at learning languages. Clark Randt, Yale College '68, joked that President Bush appointed him ambassador to China because he was his only frat brother who could speak chinese. LOL</p>
<p>Yeah, well I’m 100% fluent in English and Spanish, am in my fourth year of French. Next year (my junior year) I will be going on Rotary Youth Exchange to Italy.</p>
<p>I don’t think it is inconsequential. What matters more than what you put down as your major are your ECs. Say for instance all your ECs were political and involved campaigning, debate, Model UN, or interning for a congressman. Then it would look odd if all of a second you stated you wanted to major in physics. </p>
<p>In terms of getting in I bet it is better to pick a major that matches your ECs that way you seem like a person with a passion. And at least one essay should be about your primary EC. If you look through the threads of people who get in you will see (if they post their essay topics) that they wrote about an EC for one of the essays. This makes your activities relevant and not just a laundry list.</p>
<p>It doesn’t really matter. If you can express yourself well that way, identify your major. If there are other “stories” that you consider more important, and that make you look better, don’t. My potential major came up in some apps and in others it didn’t.</p>
<p>I’m sure they recognize that intended majors are a poor indicator of actual majors. But if you have an area of interest that you’ve done good stuff in, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to construct a narrative of your experience and interest in your application.</p>