Can you change your major after applying to college? Here’s what to know

You aren’t stuck with the major on your application. And unlike some common college application mistakes, choosing a major you later reconsider is something you can often address.

You’re usually able to change your major after applying to college. Exactly when and how you can make the switch, however, depends on the school, the program you want to enter and where you are in the admissions process.

If you’re on the fence about the major you selected, keep reading. We’ll break down when and how you can make a change and what University of Cincinnati students should know along the way.

Submitting your college application doesn’t automatically lock you into the major you selected. 

At UC and many other colleges, you can change your major after applying. How you make the switch depends on the school’s policies, whether you’re moving within or between colleges at the university, and whether the new program has additional admission requirements or limited capacity.

A university may include several individual colleges, each with its own programs and requirements. At UC, for example, changing majors could mean moving between:

• College of Arts and Sciences: Study the liberal arts and sciences
• College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS): Pursue areas such as mechanical, electrical or aerospace engineering
• College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP): Study design or the built environment
• College-Conservatory of Music (CCM): Pursue the performing arts

But what if you’ve already been accepted? Your options may depend on the program you want to enter.

Yes. Getting accepted doesn’t automatically mean your major is set in stone. A lot of colleges allow admitted students to request a different major before they enroll.

Where things can get a little trickier is moving into a more selective program. Limited space or additional admission requirements may trigger another application review. In some cases, you may need to enroll and apply for an internal transfer later.

At UC, specialized programs within colleges like the College of Nursing, DAAP and CCM may have their own admission requirements and capacity limits. If you’ve been accepted to UC and have another major in mind, check with admissions to understand your options before making the switch.

How hard it is to change your major depends largely on the program you want to enter. 

Moving to a program with similar requirements may have little to no effect on your admission status. A more selective program, however, may have different admission standards or limited space.

Before requesting a change, ask the school’s admissions office how the switch could affect your status. For incoming Bearcats, UC admissions can help you understand your options before you enroll.

Ready to make the switch? The exact process varies by school, but these steps are a good place to start:

1. Check the college’s website. Look for information about changing your major or making changes as an admitted student.

2. Contact admissions. If you’re coming to UC, contact UC admissions  or your admissions counselor about changing your major before orientation and enrollment.

3. Ask a few questions. Before you make anything official, find out:

   • Is the new major currently open to first-year students?

   • Will my application need to be reviewed again?

   • Could the change affect my admission or scholarships?

4. Follow the school’s process. You may need to submit a form, make the request through an online portal or work directly with admissions.

But what if orientation is around the corner and you’re just now having second thoughts? You probably still have time to make a change.

No, incoming freshmen still have options. Depending on the college, you may still be able to:

• Request a major change before or during orientation
• Talk through your options with an academic adviser
• Start in an exploratory or undecided program if you need more time to choose

At UC, orientation and academic advising give incoming students a chance to review their academic plans before classes begin. Exploratory pathways are also available if you need more time to choose a major.

And once freshman year begins, changing your major is still on the table. The process just shifts from admissions to academic planning.

Changing your major after enrollment is common. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about one-third of bachelor’s degree students who declared a major changed it within three years of starting college.

If you’re considering a switch:

• Meet with an academic adviser to discuss your options.
• Compare degree requirements to see how your credits apply.
• Check the process for changing programs, which may include a change-of-major form or internal transfer request.

Some completed courses may count differently toward a new degree, while prerequisites and course sequences could add time to your degree.

At UC, students can work with advisers in their current and prospective major to understand how a change could affect their courses, graduation timeline and co-op plans.

Some UC programs have structured course sequences, specific entry points or additional application requirements, such as a portfolio or audition.

If your current or new major includes co-op, a change could affect your course sequence, co-op schedule and expected graduation timeline.

Before making anything official, talk with your academic adviser and, when relevant, your co-op adviser. They can help you see how a new major would fit into your academic and co-op plans.

OK, so you think you’re ready to switch majors. Before you make it official, ask yourself:

• Why do I want to switch? Maybe you’ve discovered a new interest, your career goals have changed or one particularly rough class has you second-guessing everything.
• Have I explored the new major? Look through the curriculum and talk to advisers, faculty or students in the program. Make sure you know what you’d actually be switching to, not just what you want to leave.
• How could this affect my timeline and costs? Find out how your credits apply and whether the change could add semesters, affect your co-op plans or increase costs.
• Does the new major fit me better? Consider what it offers that your current major doesn’t.

You don’t have to answer those questions alone. UC academic advising and career services can help you explore majors and career paths before you decide.

Still on the fence? Use the people and resources around you at UC to fill in what you don’t know. Before enrolling, your admissions counselor can help with questions about switching programs. Current students, academic advisers, faculty and UC career services can all help you compare degree requirements, explore career paths and understand how a change could affect your timeline.

You don’t need to have your entire college experience mapped out from day one. As you take classes and learn more about your options, your plans may change, too.