In last week’s episode, I shared my interview with Lisa Marker-Robbins, who has helped nearly 4,000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to embark on their post-high school path.

In that conversation, we discussed why strong GPAs and high test scores may not be enough for your student to gain admittance to their dream college. Today, Lisa was kind enough to let me share an episode of her College and Career Clarity Podcast.

At many schools, like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, prospective students must apply to a specific major when applying to college during the high school senior year. Since this is not standard at all colleges, it can be a confusing hurdle for many high schoolers and their families – but it doesn’t have to be. What does this mean for your teen? In this episode of the College and Career Clarity Podcast, Lisa Marker-Robbins speaks with Andy Borst, UIUC’s Director of Undergraduate Admissions, you’ll learn how college major-based admissions works and how to set your teen up to successfully navigate the process.

Although it can sometimes seem like it, admissions officers aren’t in the business of crushing your teen’s dreams. In fact, they want to make things possible for as many students as they can, and that’s where a college major-based admissions process can come into play. Each university can only accommodate a certain number of students in each program, so this type of application can help admissions staff focus on the students that are truly interested in the major and most likely to thrive.

When it comes to schools that admit by major, you might be surprised to learn that certain majors at these schools might be restricted to your student applying only as a 12th grader. For instance, if your child wants to study Computer Science at UIUC, they can only be admitted as a freshman or a transfer from another school. This means it’s crucial that your student does the work in high school to identify a college major that aligns to their wiring. 

Andy warns not to try to take a shortcut into these highly competitive majors by applying for a different major in the hopes of transferring into your student’s desired field later. Trying to game the system isn’t wise. In these cases, your teen will be better off attending a different university where they have an assured start in their top choice major.

What is college admission by major

What majors are among the most popular and therefore most competitive

How do restricted majors eliminate options for many high school students

When can your teen choose a second college major

Question to ask colleges about admission by major

Lisa has a complimentary video on “How to guide your teen to choose the right major, college, & career” that she created for parents (and students), and she’s given me permission to invite my people! In this, she’ll cover:

How flipping the script on the college admissions process can help ensure an on-time (and on budget!) graduation and a career your teen will love.

How to know *beyond any doubt* that your teen has chosen the right college, major, and career path, and hasn’t based their decision on luck, picked the “safe” option, or inadvertently restricted their potential.

How to ensure your teen’s senior year choices don't trap them in an unsuitable major or close the door on an opportunity no amount of money or persuasion can open.

Click here to watch Lisa’s complimentary video, “How to guide your teen to choose the right major, college, & career,” here: flourishcoachingco.com/gps

That is why I am offering several special bonuses for families who sign up for Lisa’s Launch Career Clarity Program. Those bonuses are:

Access to my Personal Narrative mini-course: In this video-based course, you will learn about the Five Pillars and how they relate to a student’s Personal Narrative - a key component for winning scholarships. You’ll also get my lesson on answering the common scholarship essay prompt, “Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship?”

Two live 45-minute one-on-one Q&A sessions with me to discuss anything about scholarships. I’ve never before offered this type of one-on-one scholarship help outside of my premier services.

Personalized one-on-one help with one Personal Narrative scholarship essay of your choice.

This special offer is only available until Midnight Eastern Time on November 18, 2024.

So, don’t delay. Sign up for Launch Career Clarity today to enjoy these special scholarship bonuses! Click here to get started: flourishcoachingco.com/gps

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This week's featured scholarships:

• Courage to Grow (Scroll to the bottom of the linked page for info on this scholarship)