What Happens If You Are Undecided About Your Major?

When you apply or enroll as undecided (also called undeclared, exploratory, or open), you acknowledge that you want more information before committing to a specific field of study. This status is officially recognized by colleges and comes with specialized advising designed to help you make an informed choice. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, up to 70% of students under 25 enter college undecided, making this one of the most common starting points for undergraduates.

Being undecided doesn’t mean you lack direction — it means you’re approaching the decision thoughtfully. Research from UC Merced shows that 33% of college students change their major at least once during their first three years, and Central College reports that 75% of students who declare a major early will change it at least once. Starting undecided can actually save you time and money by helping you avoid classes that don’t count toward your eventual degree.

The timeline for declaring your major varies by institution, but most schools follow a similar pattern. Stanford University advises students to declare by the end of their sophomore spring semester, while the University of Rochester requires declaration during the semester you complete 64 credits. Cornell’s College of Arts & Sciences mandates a declaration before the start of the junior year to maintain good academic standing. Some specialized programs — particularly engineering, nursing, or business schools — may require earlier declaration, sometimes even before you submit your college application.

You typically have four full-time semesters to explore as an undecided student, as Penn State’s exploratory program specifies. During this window, you’ll focus on general education requirements while taking introductory courses in fields that interest you. Transfer students usually face tighter timelines; USC Santa Cruz requires transfer students to declare in their second quarter, whereas students who started as freshmen do so in their sixth quarter.

Missing the declaration deadline can have serious consequences. At the University of Rochester, students who don’t declare by the start of junior year risk losing certain types of financial aid. Some institutions will place an enrollment hold on your account, preventing you from registering for classes until you officially declare.

Colleges recognize that choosing a major requires specialized guidance, which is why many institutions have created dedicated centers and advising teams for undecided students. The University of Georgia’s Exploratory Center assigns specially trained “Explore advisors” who understand that identifying the right major is a process requiring multiple meetings each semester. These advisors help you examine your values, interests, and goals while connecting you to campus resources for additional support.

Penn State structures its exploratory program around personalized advising relationships where you work one-on-one with an adviser through your first four semesters. Your adviser helps you choose courses, explore career paths, and stay on track while you discover your academic interests. Similarly, the University of Denver assigns exploratory students a dedicated Career Advisor who guides them through self-reflection using coaching tools, career assessments, and alumni connections for informational interviews.

Many schools offer workshops and courses specifically designed for exploration. The University of Scranton runs semester-long Undecided Workshops that focus on connecting values and skills to majors and careers. The University of Denver offers exploratory courses, such as First-Year Seminars, that encourage reflection on personal identity, values, and strengths while teaching you to use career resources.

One of the biggest advantages of starting undecided is that you can satisfy general education requirements while simultaneously exploring potential majors. Every undergraduate degree includes core courses in areas such as composition, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. These aren’t “wasted” classes — they’re degree requirements you’d take regardless of your major, and they expose you to disciplines you might never have considered.

When you’re undecided, these required courses become opportunities for exploration. Taking an introductory psychology course to fulfill your social science requirement might reveal a passion for research methods. A biology class required for your science credit could spark interest in pre-med or environmental science. As one academic advisor notes, undecided students often use these first two years to explore their skills, strengths, core values, and interests while building a solid GPA.

This approach has a practical benefit: you avoid taking classes for a major you’ll later abandon. According to data from multiple institutions, many students who declare early end up changing majors, sometimes adding an extra year to their degree completion. By staying undecided initially, you give yourself permission to explore without the pressure of immediately committing to a specific track

Career exploration doesn’t require expensive personality tests or career coaches. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides free, comprehensive resources specifically designed for students exploring career paths. The BLS Career Exploration webpage lets you search careers based on your interests and learn about education requirements, salary expectations, and job outlook for hundreds of occupations. The Occupational Outlook Handbook offers detailed profiles of most jobs in the economy, including typical duties, work environment, and the education and training jobseekers need.

For more personalized guidance, the Department of Labor’s My Next Move platform includes a built-in interest assessment that suggests careers matching your profile. The O*NET Interest Profiler helps you discover what kinds of work align with your preferences and how your interests relate to the world of work. These tools are evidence-based and designed by federal career development specialists.

Most colleges also provide campus-specific career resources. Your career center can help you interpret assessment results, explore major-to-career connections, and arrange informational interviews with alumni working in fields you’re considering. Many schools offer online platforms where you can research how previous graduates from each major transitioned into their careers, providing real-world context for your academic decision.

Myth #1: “Being undecided will delay my graduation.” Reality: Central College data shows undecided students graduate in four years at the same rate as students who declare early. The key is using your first two years wisely by completing general education requirements and major prerequisites simultaneously. Students who declare too early and then change majors are more likely to extend their time in college because they’ve taken courses that don’t count toward their new major.

Myth #2: “I’m the only one who doesn’t have a plan.” Reality: This couldn’t be further from the truth. National data indicate that 20-50% of students start college undecided, with some studies showing numbers as high as 70% for students under age 25. Even students who declare a major aren’t necessarily certain — 75% will change their minds at least once. Your classmate who confidently declared as a biology major may be just as uncertain as you are.

Myth #3: “Choosing a major means choosing my career forever.” Reality: Most people change jobs and even career paths multiple times throughout their lives. One major can lead to many possible careers, and one career can be approached through several different majors. Your major provides foundational knowledge and skills, but it doesn’t lock you into a single career trajectory. Employers value transferable skills like critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving — qualities you develop regardless of your specific major.

Myth #4: “I’ll just figure it out eventually without any effort.” Reality: Simply waiting and hoping won’t help you find the right path. You need to actively explore by taking diverse courses, meeting with advisors, attending career events, and reflecting on what engages you. Declaring a major requires intentional effort and research.

For the majority of colleges and universities, applying as an undecided student does not negatively impact your chances of admission. According to admissions offices at multiple universities, including the University of South Florida, applying undecided is completely acceptable and won’t hurt your application. In some cases, being undecided might even work in your favor — if certain majors are overpopulated, you could have better admission odds by not applying to those specific programs.

However, there are important exceptions you need to know about. Competitive programs like engineering, nursing, theater, architecture, or business often require you to declare your major when applying, and they typically have separate application requirements, such as additional essays, portfolios, or prerequisite coursework. At some universities, you must apply to a specific college within the institution — for example, Boston College requires applicants to choose among the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Management, School of Education, or School of Nursing.

If you’re interested in these competitive programs, research early whether you can switch into them later if you initially apply undecided. At some schools, transferring into selective programs after enrollment is extremely difficult or requires reapplying with limited spots. The University of California, Davis, notes that engineering students must apply to a specific major because so many students compete for those programs.

While your general academic advisor is valuable for navigation and requirements, faculty and staff within academic departments provide the detailed insights you need to make an informed choice. Each department has a Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) or similar contact person whose job includes helping prospective majors understand requirements and opportunities. These aren’t gatekeepers trying to discourage you — they want enthusiastic students in their programs and are typically happy to answer questions.

Reach out to departments you’re considering with specific questions: What do successful students in this major have in common? What career paths do recent graduates pursue? Are there research opportunities for undergraduates? What’s the typical class size for upper-level courses? These conversations provide information you won’t find on a website and help you gauge whether a department’s culture fits your learning style.

Many departments offer open houses, major fairs, or information sessions specifically for students considering the major. Georgetown University requires students interested in Government or Psychology to attend a department information session before declaring. Even when not required, attending these events lets you meet current majors, see what student work looks like, and ask questions in a low-pressure setting.

Don’t overlook peer advisors if your department has them. These are current students in the major who remember what it was like to be undecided. They can offer honest perspectives on workload, internship opportunities, and whether the major lives up to its reputation.