Considering a good college is overwhelming for many students especially if they have not decided their major yet. The good news? Many of the finest US colleges do not only accept undecided students; they also offer helpful resources, flexibility, and support to assist undecided students in finding their passion. Here’s a list of the 10 best colleges for undecided majors, what makes each college stand out and how they help you create your own academic path.
1. Brown University
Brown is the gold standard for students seeking academic freedom. Their open curriculum structure means that there aren't any general education requirements, so you can explore and take classes from every part of the academic world while not boxing yourself in. This makes room for intellectual curiosity and opportunity for students to construct their education. You will have plenty of support from advisors and peer mentors to navigate and explore, and this is what makes Brown the dream school for the purists undecided.
2. Amherst College
Amherst, a top liberal arts college, also has an open curriculum. There are not any distribution requirements outside of your major, so you can explore classes in humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The small student body size and close faculty relations allow a great setting for students who want to explore and connect with mentors.
3. New York University (Gallatin School of Individualized Study)
The Gallatin School at NYU is perfect for those with undecided courses. You create an interdisciplinary major, you're allowed to mix courses, and pick and choose learning experiences from anywhere else in the university. The Gallatin design is ideal for those students with a wide range of interests or wanting to develop their own unique degree by integrating fields such as business with art and technology.
4. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan has a comprehensive “Undecided” program at the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA). First year students can enter without a major, their Undeclared degree program allows you to thrive taking exploratory seminars, advising and exploring a plethora of courses. The Residential College takes this a step further, granting additional flexibility through customized curriculums and interdisciplinary study opportunities.
5. Northeastern University
Northeastern also has the Explore Program, designed specifically for undecided students. The program provides co-op structured recommendations, mentorship and a first-year seminar program uniting undeclared students in a learning community. The University's co-operative education system endorses real world experience in fields as needed prior to making a more informed decision with your major.
6. Stanford University
Stanford promotes exploration with its flexible "undeclared" option. Because of its breadth across the humanities, sciences, and engineering, strong advising, and you may sample more fields than a typical college, well into your second year or sometimes even late into your second year before you declare your major.
7. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA's College of Letters and Science has a very robust exploratory program with academic counseling, workshops, and numerous introduction courses will assist you in finding what interests you. You may enjoy discovering and exploring new majors until your junior year before you declare a major.
8. University of Southern California (USC)
USC gives students the option of "Undecided - Letters, Arts & Sciences," just for students who want to explore their options before making any commitments. With the strength of its programs across all the disciplines and with good advising, USC often helps students explore and try various fields from engineering to the arts before deciding.
9. Northwestern University
If you are an undergraduate at Northwestern and still trying to figure out your interests, the academic advising center is a great place to help you with your exploration. The quarter system allows for more classes per year than most other schools, allowing for even more exploration. In addition, Northwestern's interdisciplinary culture makes combining studies relatively easy for students.
10. Dartmouth College
Dartmouth's free-wheeling curriculum with a focus on self-exploration and self-study is great for undecided students. Dartmouth is a great place for undecided students, in that there is no pressure to declare a major, but instead, the D-Plan (Dartmouth's quarter system) allows students to explore an array of subjects--as well students can even take terms off to have internship or research opportunities!
What Makes These Colleges Great for Undecided Majors?
Flexibility: With open curriculum, extended deadlines to declare majors, interdisciplinary courses, and very flexible class schedules, students can do a lot of experimenting before they decide on a major.
Support and Guidance: Through exploratory seminars, peer mentors, and dedicated advisors, students will have a lot of opportunities to make well-informed decisions and forge their own paths.
Depth and breadth: Even after declaring a major, ambitious students will not feel constrained to one department, because these schools offer strong options in a very large range of academic fields.
Options for customization/creating their own path: Many of the schools allow students to choose their major, or allow students to combine two fields (e.g., psychology and sociology), which is great for students with varied interests.
Advice for Undecided Students Selecting a College
Make sure to have breadth: Find a school that has strong programs in a number of different areas as opposed to just one or two.
Being adaptable is essential: Finding your route may be aided by open curricula or late major (and minor) declaration deadlines.
Look for substance: Look for good advising and mentoring programs.
Think about size and culture: A smaller college will allow you to make more connections compared to a larger one with less contacts.
Think about opportunities outside of the classroom: Various internship opportunities, research, and/or study abroad, will also allow you to pursue your interests.
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Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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