How Much Does Your Child's College Major Actually Matter?

Welcome to College Admission Secrets, your trusted guide in the college admissions journey.

In today’s email:

• Success Story: How Our Coaching Student Got Into MIT - A Journey of Authentic Interest in Computer Science

• What to Do This Week: Proactive Planning for February's Academic & College Planning Milestones

• Scholarships: Over $13,500 in February & March Opportunities Including Creative Writing & Art

• Lesson of the Week: How Much Does Your Child's College Major Actually Matter?

Whether you're just beginning to explore college majors or deeply involved in the application process, this week's insights will help your family navigate these important decisions with greater confidence and clarity.

SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK

How Our Coaching Student Got Into MIT

Meet Juliana, a student from California who will be joining MIT’s Class of 2029 as a Computer Science and Engineering major. Her journey highlights the power of pursuing authentic interests, staying persistent, and strategically navigating the college admissions process.

Her Academic Foundation

Juliana’s story is a testament to passion-driven learning rather than chasing perfection.

She maintained a strong academic record, but what truly set her apart was her deep intellectual curiosity. She took rigorous coursework, excelled in her STEM classes, and made the most of opportunities to challenge herself academically.

Her SAT journey reflects this same dedication—while her initial scores were solid, she pushed herself through consistent practice and strategy, ultimately reaching a competitive score that made her an exceptional candidate for MIT.

Her Activities Journey

What stands out most about Juliana is how her extracurriculars directly connected to her love for technology and problem-solving.

From a young age, she was fascinated by video games—not just playing them but understanding how they were built. This curiosity evolved into a passion for game development, which led her to:

• Learn 3D modeling and programming on her own

• Take advanced computer science courses in high school

• Join coding competitions and hackathons

• Secure an internship where she applied her technical skills in real-world settings

• Serve as a mentor for younger students interested in STEM

Her ability to turn her interests into impactful experiences played a huge role in her MIT acceptance.

Finding Her Perfect Match

Juliana didn’t just apply to MIT because of its prestige—she applied because she knew it was the right place for her.

She was drawn to MIT’s hands-on approach to learning, its research opportunities, and the collaborative, high-energy environment. By deeply researching the school and understanding how it aligned with her academic and career goals, she confidently committed to MIT as her top choice.

How our Team Helped Her Get Accepted

Juliana’s success wasn’t about trying to fit a mold—it was about maximizing her strengths while staying true to herself.

She started working with our team in 11th grWorking with our team, she:

• Defined and refined her unique story in her essays

• Strategized her application approach to highlight her most compelling experiences

• Received guidance on showcasing her technical projects effectively

• Gained clarity on how to position herself as the perfect fit for MIT

Her Advice for Future Applicants

Her journey reminds us that college admissions success is about more than just numbers—it’s about passion, perseverance, and making an impact in ways that are meaningful to you.

We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes at MIT!

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK

Week of February 4th

As we move into February, this week emphasizes finalizing summer plans and maintaining academic momentum through the winter months.

Middle School Families

• Schedule parent-teacher conferences for the upcoming marking period to discuss academic progress and areas for growth

• Begin planning for spring standardized testing by reviewing available study materials and creating a preparation timeline.

9th Grade Families

• Submit remaining summer program applications - many deadlines fall between mid-February and early March

• Review third quarter progress reports and adjust study habits as needed to maintain or improve grades

10th Grade Families

• Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss preliminary college planning and course selection for junior year

• Create a study schedule for upcoming midterms or major assessments, identifying specific areas that need extra attention

11th Grade Families

• Begin thinking about your college essay topics. Ask yourself: “What activities, experiences or identities have defined me on who I am today?”

• Finalize your spring college visit schedule and make necessary travel arrangements before popular dates fill up

12th Grade Families

• Complete and submit any pending financial aid forms, including the CSS Profile and institutional aid applications

• Review housing deadlines and deposit requirements for colleges where you've been accepted

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships of the Week

Each week, we handpick a few scholarships that are currently accepting applications. Here are this week's opportunities:

Cancer Pathways Teen Writing Contest

• Award Amount: Up to $1,000

• Deadline: February 28, 2025

• Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9-12) in the U.S. Applicants must submit a personal essay about their experience with cancer, whether their own diagnosis or the impact on someone close to them.

Create A Greeting Card Scholarship

• Award Amount: $10,000

• Deadline: March 3, 2025

• Eligibility: Must be 14 years or older at time of entry and be enrolled in High School, College, University or Homeschool. Submit original artwork or photo for the front of a greeting card. AI submissions are prohibited.

Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest

• Award Amount: $2,500

• Deadline: March 21, 2025

• Eligibility: Our contest is open to students in grades 5-12, age 10-18, residing in North America, Hawaii, or at a U.S. military address. Students will choose a topic from one of four (4) essay topics.

LESSON OF THE WEEK

How Much Does Your Child’s College Major Actually Matter?

As families navigate the college planning journey, few topics generate more anxiety than choosing a major. While it's a significant decision, let's reframe how we think about college majors to reduce stress and create better understanding.

The Reality of Major Selection

Here's something that might surprise you - and hopefully reassure you: your teenager's choice of major is important, but it's not the make-or-break decision many families believe it to be. Consider this: your child is in their mid-teens, still discovering their interests and talents. It's completely normal and expected that they're uncertain about their future career path.

A major is simply a structured set of courses they'll study during their college years. What's crucial to understand is that a student's major doesn't permanently lock them into a specific career path. Many successful professionals work in fields different from their undergraduate major.

The Pathway Perspective

Instead of fixating on specific majors, we encourage families to think in terms of broader academic pathways. This approach aligns with how college admission offices evaluate applications. The three main pathways are:

1. Engineering & Computer Science

2. STEM & Business

3. Humanities & Liberal Arts

This framework is particularly important because admission readers look for different qualities and experiences depending on the pathway. For instance, a student applying for engineering needs to demonstrate different strengths than one pursuing liberal arts.

What This Means for Your Family

Understanding these pathways helps:

• Guide your student's high school course selection

• Focus extracurricular activities

• Shape the college application narrative

• Reduce anxiety about committing to a specific major

Want to Learn More?

Join us this Thursday at 6 PM PST for an in-depth exploration of college majors and pathways. We'll discuss:

• How different colleges structure their major selection process

• What admission officers look for in each pathway

• Strategies for keeping options open

• Real examples of successful major transitions

Understanding majors through the pathway lens provides clarity and flexibility in the college planning process. It's not about making a binding decision at 17, but about choosing a direction with room to explore and grow.

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