<p>In applying to such schools as Duke, UNC (I am in state), William&Mary, et cetera, would writing one of my essays on my passions in a strange major such as Geography be a hook? Or gain some sort of "advantage."</p>
<p>A bit of information - On Middlebury's Website, it states "Middlebury uses many methods to determine who to admit ... Middlebury also admits certain students to pursue majors that Middlebury would like to fill." That was a paraphrase, but you get the general idea.</p>
<p>I agree. Also, you may be doing yourself more harm than good if the college happens not to have a strong department in geography or whatever and is not seeking students for that major.</p>
<p>One girl from my school got into SUNY Binghamton today, and she attributes her acceptance to the fact that she chose a weird major (that she actually intends to pursue). She had much lower grades and SATs than their average, and no discernible hook. But in most situations, no, I don't think it makes much of a difference.</p>
<p>Well, as of late (after beginning my self-study of AP Human Geography), I have been researching the best schools for Geography. Hopefully explaining my passion to attend their strong Geography program will give me a boost in admissions.</p>
<p>Most universities, especially private ones and liberal arts colleges, say that major choice has no affect on admission. For large schools and public schools, there are many colleges within the university, and students usually have to have some sort major intention when they arrive on campus. Therefore, it's more likely a deciding factor in admission with a public university or large private. For instance, at UPenn you have to be admitted to Wharton and the college simultaneously to enter the business program.</p>
<p>la montagne: If she was OOS, probably a better chance to get in with lower stats than their average...they are actively trying to geographically diversify...for ex. last year, I knew of some students who were admitted with SAT's and GPA's much lower than average from NJ</p>
<p>I think for the schools you listed, your grades, sats, class ranking and high school curriculum will be your biggest hook. With that said, I think it would be great to write an essay about your passion and interest in Geography...........and yes, it would grab the AO's attention because it is an unusual interest. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>It may or may not work - one of my friends who is now an engineering student told me she originally applied as a Classics major, faking her interest in Latin and getting rec from her Latin teacher. it worked for some schools that she applied to, but apparently didn't work for some others. So I guess it really depends on the school - in my opinion, applying for a strange major isn't likely to increase ur chances at the schools u mentioned.</p>
<p>I agree with pedsox -- what may give you a boost is not the major, but showing a true ntellectual passion and curiousity for a particular subject. Admissions officers really do like to see that, but it doesn't have to be a "weird" or unusual subject.</p>
<p>Pyang88, but your friend has no idea where she'd have gotten in if she hadn't claimed to be a classics major. She might not have gotten into those schools she didn't get into anyway. =]</p>
<p>It will probably depend on the major, the school and how the student demonstrates their interest. Geography is not an unusual major in the least -- so I can't imagine that being a hook. I know tons of people with an undergraduate in Geography -- and it isn't a major they have trouble filling.</p>
<p>I could see it as a hook/tip if it were another major -- say Classical Russian Literature. Student wants to pursue a major of Russian Lit at a top school who does offer that degree. They don't get alot of students enrolling in the major. Student has done previous summer courses in Russian Lit, spent a year abroad in Russia, takes Russian classes on their own and has been in contact with the Russian Lit professors at said top university. In that case -- I could see it as a tip or hook (depending on how you want to define it)</p>
<p>yea hsmomstef. i applied to a few ivy's and majored in Russian Lit. because I speak Russian at home and wrote my essay on how I am passionate about Russian culture and literature. I am not sure if I will get in, but I am hoping that the major might help. And I really do want to study Russian.</p>
<p>Could an unusual combination of major+background serve as a hook? What if you're a female in math, a male in women's studies, an Asian in Renaissance history, or an African-American in Japanese?</p>
<p>If you really are interested in an unusual major, and your activities in high school demonstrate a strong interest, it can supposedly help you at schools that are trying to fill that major. I don't think they will find the mere fact that you took Latin in high school to be all that persuasive if you claim to want to me a classics major, though.</p>