<p>How can what one puts down in this area of the applicant help or hurt him?</p>
<p>The reason for this question is that I'd like to go to school for bio, but I only got a B+ in the last bio course I took (AP Biology) because the first semester was before I "woke up" as a student (sophomore year). If I put down a bio-related major as my interest, will they toss out my app because I don't have A's in that subject? This is for HYPSM, by the way.</p>
<p>Well, there are two sides to every issue. The good thing about declaring a major is that it can focus your application if you have a very select interest. But it can also point out flaws in your application and put you in a more competitive pool of applicants. For the big schools, they may very well be wary of that B+, so it's up to you. If your ECs relate to biology, they may overlook that grade. If not, I don't think you'll gain much of anything by declaring that your major.</p>
<p>It only really helps if the EC's you do also relate to that major. For example, if you say that you want to major in math, but don't do any math-related things, didn't do so well on AP math courses or the SAT Math section, and in general don't show much interest in math, it probably won't help much. But if you did well on the math team, have a great recommendation from your math teacher, did well on math standardized tests, and plan to take an advanced math course as a first-year in college, then saying that you plan on majoring in math can help, espeically if you're applying to a school that doesn't have that many math majors.</p>
<p>Neither putting an intended major or declaring "undecided" has any bearing on the schools you're mentioning. Whether or not your "declared major" matches your ECs or not isn't going to damage the "consistency" of your file. These schools want top scholars and intellectually VERY curious people. They EXPECT that you'll explore what their colleges have to offer and may very well alter your high school intentions. </p>
<p>I got straight Bs my Junior year in Honors Chemistry. I put down as my intended major "Chemical Engineering" as I applied to four top engineering programs and two Ivies. I was accepted by all six.</p>
<p>The HYP adcoms have consistently said that declared majors only serve to answer a point of curiosity but have no bearing on admissions. If you think you'd like to major in something, then put it down. If you're undecided, put that down.</p>
<p>Your SAT II scores, and AP scores could counter the grades if they are good.</p>