Major vs. Admission

<p>So I know this question has been asked many times, but I googled online for an answer and couldn't get a definitive answer. Here's my situation:</p>

<p>I want to go to medical school and I was originally interested in chemistry/chemical engineering. I have taken a bunch of science and math classes and also did a research internship in Chemistry this summer. But now, after doing all this, I realized that chemistry isn't as interesting to me as I thought it was before. I'm thinking about majoring in Economics/ Business and then going to med school from there. The only thing is that I don't have the extracurriculars/classes to back it up. (I've only taken 1 business class) </p>

<p>Should I tell colleges that I want to major in chemistry/chem engineering and then switch into the economics major? Or should I put down economics as my first choice and just hope for the best?</p>

<p>P.S. I'm a rising senior</p>

<p>Since you know this is often asked, then you should remember that what you state as an intended major matters almost zero (unless you’re applying to special programs like Wharton or UMich business). Therefore, your ECs don’t have to back anything. Most colleges admit you to the general student pool – not as a prospective business or engineering or psychology major.</p>

<p>I have done research on the topic, and from what I’ve read there have been conflicting views. Some say that if your extracurriculars back your major, you have a better chance of getting in due to demonstrated interest while other say it doesn’t matter. That’s why I asked this question.</p>

<p>Btw, I really dislike flame wars on forums so if I came across aggressive or asking a dumb question I appologize</p>

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<p>It depends on the university.</p>

<p>In some universities, all freshmen enter undeclared, and there is no difference in admissions selectivity between different majors. In most cases, undeclared students can declare any major after completing the prerequisites, although some popular majors at some schools may require applying to declare.</p>

<p>In others, freshmen enter declared in a major, and the selected major matters in admissions selectivity. Changing major after entering such a university usually means applying to change.</p>

<p>In still others, some divisions (e.g. arts/sciences, engineering) may do it one way, and other divisions may do it the other way.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, it is not always obvious which universities (or divisions) do it which way (or which majors are more selective than others).</p>

<p>YLE: I’m sorry about my tone – I didn’t mean to put you on the defensive. All I’m stating is that top schools know (and frankly hope for) kids who are still exploring. They don’t expect most of their admitees to have charted out their life’s course by 17 years old. The fact is most people switch so they really don’t weigh much in “intended major” (besides the few occasions mentioned here already). This is decidedly the view of my HYP alma mater. Good luck to you.</p>

<p>It’s okay, don’t worry about it. And thanks you two for the information, I feel better about putting down economics now</p>