What Do You Want to Major In?

A Discussion of This Frequently Asked College Interview Question

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Updated on January 31, 2021

What do you want to major in? This college interview question can come in many forms: What academic subject most interests you? What do you plan to study? What are your academic goals? Why do you want to major in business? It's one of twelve common interview questions you're likely to get asked. It's also a question that can force applicants into an awkward situation if they don't actually know what major they plan to pursue.

Key Takeaways: An Interview Question on Your Major

Know the school asking the question. At most colleges, it is perfectly fine for an applicant to be undecided about a major.
If you are sure of your major, present your love of the field in terms other than earning potential. What about the major excites you?
If you are unsure of your major, be sure to present some academic subjects that interest you. You want to come across as excited about learning.
Make sure the major you identify is offered by the school interviewing you. It won't look good if you say you want to major in Archeology and the school doesn't have that major.

What if You Don't Know What You Want to Major In?

Don't be misled by the question. A significant percentage of college applicants have no idea what major they will choose, and the majority of high school students who have chosen a major will actually change their mind before they graduate. Your interviewer knows this, and there is nothing wrong with being honest about your uncertainty.

That said, you don't want to sound like you have never considered the question. Colleges aren't eager to admit students who entirely lack direction or academic interests. So, if you are undecided about your major, think about the difference between these two responses:

Here's How to Respond if You Are Sure about a Major

If you do have a strong sense of what you want to study, you'll still want to make sure your answer creates a positive impression. Think about the following weak responses:

I want to major in business because I want to make lots of money. You're telling the interviewer that material gain is your top priority. Are you actually interested in business? Students who choose a major based on its earning potential are less likely to succeed in college than those who have an actual interest in the subject matter that they are studying. A lot of business majors and engineers either change majors or drop out of college because they were, in truth, not interested in business or engineering.
My parents want me to become a doctor. Okay, but what do you want to do? Do you have thoughts of your own, or are you going to let your parents define your academic path?
I want to major in political science because I want to go to law school. Do you have sincere interest in political science? And why do you want to go to law school? You're going to spend four years of your life studying as an undergraduate, so you don't want to breeze over your response with a comment about graduate school. The interviewer isn't admitting you to graduate school. Also realize that any major can lead to law school.

Make sure you are ready to explain why you are interested in a particular field. What experiences or high school courses piqued your interest? A good response captures your excitement:

I want to major in environmental science because I'm passionate about protecting our planet and I've loved my volunteer work with the Hudson Bay Restoration Project. This response gives your interviewer a clear picture of your interests, and it provides useful information for further conversation.

Different Schools, Different Expectations

At some large universities, it is possible that you will need to pick a field of study when you apply. For example, some of the California public universities are trying to balance enrollments within different programs. You will often be asked to indicate a major on your college application. And if you are applying to a business or engineering school within a larger university, you will often need a specialized application for that school.

At most colleges, however, being undecided is fine or even encouraged. At Alfred University, for example, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences changed the official designation for undecided students from "Undecided" to "Academic Exploration." Exploring is a good thing, and it's what the first year of college is for.

A Final Word about College Interviews

You'll want to be honest in your college interview. If you don't know what you want to major in, don't pretend that you do. At the same time, be sure to convey the fact that you do have academic interests and that you are looking forward to exploring those interests in college.

If you want to keep preparing for your interview, be sure to check out these 12 common questions and to be even more prepared, here are 20 more common questions. Also be sure to avoid these 10 college interview mistakes. If you're wondering what to wear, here is some advice for men and women.