Learn how to go to college undecided, how long you can wait to declare a major, and why community college may be the best place to explore your options.
You don’t have to know your major before applying to college. Many students enroll as "undecided" or "undeclared" and choose their major at a later time. Starting college without a major is more common than you might think: an estimated 20-50% of college students, thousands in the United States, attend college as an undecided student.
If you’re not sure what you want to study yet, you don’t need to worry. Going to college undecided can help you stress less, explore different subjects, and boost your GPA—all without falling behind.
Do I Need to Choose a Major?
Quick answer: No. Both community colleges and four-year universities commonly allow students to begin taking classes without a major.
While some schools may still ask you to declare a major upon admission, many colleges recognize that you might not have your future career path fully determined yet. When you apply, you can choose "undecided" or opt for a flexible degree like General Studies. This choice allows you to take classes that typically count for more majors, keeping your options open.
According to BestColleges, one-third of college students change their major after they declare their first one, and 61% of college graduates would change their major if they went back. If changing majors (or wanting to) is that common, starting college undeclared can give you the time and space to make the right choice, avoiding excessive major-switching or taking classes that won’t count toward your degree.
How Long Can I Wait Before Deciding?
You can usually stay undeclared for your first year of college, or until you’ve completed either all general education requirements or an associate’s degree. This can be a valuable time to discover career options you weren’t aware of, but it’s important to stay mindful of credit requirements so that you can complete your final degree on schedule and avoid unnecessary additional costs.
- Meet with an advisor early and often to make sure you register for classes that apply broadly, so even if you change majors later, you won’t lose progress.
- If you know you want to explore, starting without a major can be safer than starting in one specialized major and then switching to a different degree program.
- If you must declare a major, choose one similar to the areas you are interested in, and be proactive in sharing your goals with academic advisors.
Degree and Admission Options for Students Without a Major
Quick answer: Undecided majors can take general education classes, pursue a general degree, enroll in a certificate program, or start at a community college. Opting for community college is a smart choice because it offers lower costs and the flexibility to explore subjects without stress.
If you’re undecided on a major, you have plenty of options that empower you to move forward productively.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS): Many bachelor’s degree programs allow you to apply as an undeclared major and/or start with general education courses.
- Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS): These two-year degrees build a strong academic foundation in either the arts or the sciences and transfer to more specific bachelor’s programs.
- Associate of General Studies (AGS): This is a different type of two-year associate degree that focuses on a range of general education subjects.
- Certificate: Short-term programs (often less than a year) can expand your horizons or help you complete undergraduate credits before committing to a full degree.
Four-Year University vs Community College as an Undecided Student
Starting at a four-year university without a major is common, but it can be expensive. Tuition is higher, and you may end up paying for classes that don’t count toward your final degree, even with careful advising.
At a community college, flexibility is more affordable:
- Typically, you pay less for the same general education classes.
- Get tailored advising for classes, certificates, and associate’s degrees.
- Transfer to a bachelor’s program later on, once you have chosen a direction.
Community colleges often have transfer agreements with nearby four-year universities to provide automatic transfer admission. After two years and earning the initial associate’s degree, transferring becomes a natural point for you to choose your specific bachelor’s program.
Read more about transferring from community college to a four-year university.
How to Choose a Major When You’re Ready
Quick answer: Deciding on a major is a process of discovery as you explore your interests and learn what you enjoy studying. Use advisors, career assessments, internships, and job outlook data to make an informed decision.
When you’re ready to select a major, you’ll have plenty of tools and resources to guide you. Here are some practical tips:
- Follow your interests: Which classes do you look forward to most? Which assignments feel more energizing than exhausting? Your passions can be a strong indicator of the right path.
- Consider your strengths: Are you good at solving problems, working with people, or creating new ideas? Think about where your natural abilities line up with fields of study.
- Research career paths: Utilize the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook or other sources to check average salaries and forecast future demand for various jobs and industries.
- Talk to people: Professors, advisors, alumni, and other professionals you admire can share valuable insight into what their work is really like.
Remember: choosing a major doesn’t mean locking yourself into one job forever. Many people build careers that weave together skills from multiple fields, and you may be surprised by how many majors are relevant to different professions. The most important part is making a thoughtful decision that reflects your goals and values at this point in your life.
FAQs About Becoming an Undeclared Major
Not typically. Financial aid programs like scholarships, grants, and loans still apply if you’re undecided, as long as you’re enrolled in an eligible program.
Yes. If you wish to switch schools before finishing your general studies or transfer to a university after obtaining an associate degree, most universities will accept your transfer credits—provided you have completed a certain number of credits and met other requirements.
Quick answer: It depends.
Changing majors is common, and most general education credits transfer, so you won’t lose progress if careful. If you took highly specialized classes and then chose a quite different major, certain credits won’t transfer easily. However, if you mostly take general education courses in your first year and change your major within the first two years, you will likely be on a productive track to graduation.
Let’s say you start college thinking about being an English major and switch to Engineering. Here are potential scenarios:
- If you declare English and take mostly literature classes in your first year and then switch to Engineering later on, you may end up taking additional credits.
- If you declare English but take mostly general education classes your first year, those credits are more likely to transfer smoothly to the Engineering major.
- If you start undecided, you can work with an advisor to still explore English without losing credits for an Engineering major later.
Yes, you can take elective classes to study creative fields or other interests without declaring them as your major.
Undecided students aren’t limited to general requirements only. Most programs incorporate elective credits for students to feed their interests, even if they don’t plan to major in those disciplines.
Start College Without Finalizing Your Major at San Juan College
After reading our guide, you know that going to college without a specific major can give you time to learn various subjects and discover what truly interests you.
At San Juan College, we believe that not knowing your major shouldn’t stop you from taking your next step. SJC is an affordable, supportive place to start college without declaring a major, offering a variety of in-person and online associate degree and certificate programs. Contact us today to learn more about your options.