What does a Pre Major mean?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Washington
1

<p>What exactly does a pre-major mean on your transcript?</p>

<p>Like:
Pre Major (Arts & Sciences)
Pre Social Sciences
Pre Health Sciences
Pre Sciences
Pre Engineering
Pre Architecture & Urban Planning</p>

<p>I am a freshman and most of the freshman I see have pre-majors on their transcripts. I thought all freshman/sophomore have pre majors on their transcript until they actually get admitted into a department however I have Chemistry on mine. Why is this? Shouldn't I have "Pre Major (Arts & Sciences)" or something like that on my transcript instead of Chemistry because I haven't been admitted into the department yet? Or does a "Pre Major" mean that you're undecided and so you just put something more general on your transcript?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Chemistry was an open major until this fall; All freshman who applied for “Intended Major: Chemistry” last Spring were admitted into the major.</p>

<p>Sooo you technically have a major right now XD</p>

3

<p>Okay thanks. So from now on if you put Chemistry as your major you’ll get assigned to “Pre Major (Arts & Sciences)” first? Same with all other majors that are NOT competitive?</p>

4

<p>Pretty much. It depends on what else you put as your intended major. Some majors, competitive or not, have direct admit programs. Some don’t. If the major has a direct admit program, you COULD be admitted as an incoming freshman. Otherwise, you would be a Pre Major.</p>

<p>The types of majors are:
Open (go in anytime to the advisors, fill out paperwork, and bam, you’re in. freshman: write as intended major, automatic in)
Minimal Requirement (finish some prereqs, get at least a 2.0 or the required GPA, talk to the advisors, fill out paperwork)
Competitive (finish prereqs, should have a high GPA, and theres an application process)</p>