<p>well its all relative..
in my case, im applying to three schools that offer a major in slavic studies, id say thats certainly not common
but technically every applicant is supposed to distinguish themselves</p>
<p>“Most sophomore applicants have no “substantial work done” in any field.”</p>
<p>I happen to be a transfer student at a pretty decent school. You’d be surprised at how many sophomore transfers come in not only with a very good idea of what he/she wants to major in, but also the courses to back up that choice of major. </p>
<p>You really can’t just write “I want to do this and that at your school” and have no record in that field. Even without the courses, one has to convincingly demonstrate true interest through the essay, activities etc. </p>
<p>Frankly, many of the transfer I know applied with very popular majors listed on their applications. Econ, Life Sciences, Political Science etc. etc. </p>
<p>CCG: One should keep in mind that schools usually do not use the transfer pool to balance out classes. The number of eventual transfers at so-called “top schools” is statistically insignificant compared to the whole of the class that declaring oneself as a potential major in an “unpopular field” ON ITS OWN probably doesn’t give the applicant much significant advantage. Now granted, if everything else is stellar, and if the applicant writes a memorable essay, the applicant with an unpopular major may stick with an adcom member more than if the applicant was just one out of many potential econ majors. But this is purely subjective, and is not a quantifiable advantage. But just because there is ONE Classics applicant and 50 political science applicants doesn’t mean the one classics applicant will def. get in.</p>
<p>I think we can readily conclude that no one here has any substantive experience to answer the OP’s question. Only speculation.</p>
<p>At least so far.</p>
<p>Andale…you’re right. This is mostly speculation. For that matter, I’m not sure if an adcom from any school could give anyone a “generalized” answer either.</p>
<p>I mean there are impacted majors, but for the most part I’d say if its not impacted and extra competitive like some engineering or business programs then I’d say everyone is pretty much on equal playing grounds. I doubt they are trying to fill a certain quota of different majors. Again, just speculation :)</p>
<p>“a very good idea of what you want to do” and “courses” do not equal “substantial work in a field.” substantial work in a field would be something like research or writing in an academic journal. but yes i agree, i think the essay is key to explaining your “unpopular major.” if you can back it up with words, i think it should work to your advantage</p>
<p>WindCloudUltra I am on the same page as you, I highly doubt we will get a true generalized answer, but I think it might be perhaps because we stumbled into something they dont want us to know! The truth is out there… lol</p>
<p>““a very good idea of what you want to do” and “courses” do not equal “substantial work in a field.” substantial work in a field would be something like research or writing in an academic journal.”</p>
<p>Well…no one expects you to win a Nobel before transferring. Not even Dartmouth and Columbia. 
(Sorry to bring up an old cliche.) But…you’d be surprised at the substantial number of people who have worked in a lab with a certain professor, or taken upper level classes in a certain field. I wouldn’t deny that this would be viewed in a favorable light, or even seen as “substantial work in a field” at least for a 20 year-old.</p>
<p>what about for 18 year olds 
Unfortunately I haven’t/can’t take classes in my intended major.</p>
<p>There are always exceptions of course…haha</p>
<p>Just out of curiousity WindCloud, where do you go to school?</p>
<p>A quick search should give you an answer :)</p>
<p>too lazy. care to share?</p>
<p>he goes to the greatest school on earth.. hes the man</p>
<p>well, i read his profile and his most recent 10 posts. He def. goes to school in Massachussetts cause its his new location and he mentioned Harvard in a post so I’d say that’s a good guess.</p>
<p>I would think a Harvard student able to answer a simple question though…don’t you? I’m skeptical. </p>
<p>(actually, I’m not skeptical, just annoyed with his behavior)</p>
<p>LMAO!!! I concur… I mean writing Harvard is alot shorter than “A quick search should give you an answer” … so now we know why harvard is number 2 in the ratings</p>
<p>agreed. </p>
<p>Back to topic.</p>