Applying to College and Picking a Major

Sweater c/o || Vest c/o || Purse || Shoes || Jeans  I can vividly remember six or seven years ago submitting my Common Apps to fifteen colleges in total (oh boy). I had colleges in Boston picked out, colleges in […]

How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey YandowSweater c/o || Vest c/o || Purse || Shoes || Jeans 

I can vividly remember six or seven years ago submitting my Common Apps to fifteen colleges in total (oh boy). I had colleges in Boston picked out, colleges in Virginia and of course a few randos like Denver, San Francisco, and San Diego; and life just kind of sorted itself out for me. 

Recently I’ve gotten questions from younger readers asking to break down my experience with applying to college and deciding on a major, so this one goes out to you guys. 

Also before we start, you can read more about my college experince hereHow to apply to college and pick a major-9530

How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow
How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow

Applying to college was a process I LOVED. I enjoyed touring the schools, I loved taste testing the food in the cafeteria, and I especially loved buying my college gear at the end of the tour. I was 100% on board with the entire process. 

So, being type A, I was prepared way ahead of time. When I applied for college there was a check-list and mine was checked off across the board. My SAT’s were done (I took them three times, once I even took them behind Matt when I had a nasty sinus infection and let’s just say…it was interesting) my essays were written and my Common App was all filled out. How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow

How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow
How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow

When November 7th came, I was ready in advance so submitting my applications for college, was basically stress-free.  In hindsight, I was very lucky to have applied to all fifteen schools because in total I only got into, seven of them…so just under half. My number one school at the time was Wake Forest, which didn’t play out for me but my second choice was San Diego for obvious reasons. 

I figured this post would be a good time to be brutally honest about the college application process…How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow

How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow
How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow

The truth is, you don’t know what’s going to happen. So it’s ALWAYS better to apply to more schools to give yourself the OPTION of choosing. I’ve seen way too many peers crushed when they only applied to schools they were ‘guaranteed’ to get into but didn’t, and I too experienced that. 

I can also remember applying to a ton of schools, all different ranges and the day before the deadline for Babson (which by the way is a very prestigious business school for entrepreneurs) my dad said just apply. So I wrote a mini essay about my love of New England and Red Sox and didn’t think twice. 

After getting a few no’s from schools that I ‘qualified’ for I got a letter from Babson saying I was in. I was shocked, I was under qualified, put zero effort into the mini essay, because I thought there was NO WAY I’d get in, and bang I did. 

So the one thing I took away from applying to college is ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, so give yourself options and apply to a range of colleges. 

How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow

How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow
How to apply to college and pick a major | The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow

The other popular question I’ve received recently, from those of you looking to pursue a college degree is how to pick a major. 

I’m going to come right out and say, I was very lucky. I always knew I wanted to do marketing/business, to be honest, I think I decided on it way back in fifth grade and from then on it never switched. 

For me it was as easy as picking a topic that I loved and wanted to learn about, however, there are what feels like thousands of majors to choose from today, so don’t get discouraged if nothing catches your eye right out of the gate. 

Your first year of college can be dedicated towards core classes, so use that time to meet with teachers, department heads and prospective mentors in fields you’re interested in. 

I’d also recommend keeping the following in mind when deciding a major: 

  • What do you want to do post-college? 
  • How will this degree/training help you get there? 
  • Is this something I’m interested in? 

The questions above should help you pick the right major for the right reason. I can’t tell you how many friends went to the school of business of accounting, for the sole reason of a large paycheck. In the end, many of them had to switch majors, because going into something for the idea of money…isn’t the best plan. 

So keep your ears open and your motives pure and you all will be fine. 

Okay, I’d love to hear what college you guys went to and which major you picked! I love learning about you guys, xx Aubrey 

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  1. I love this look! Perfect colors for fall and that bag is GORGEOUS! I only applied to one college, University of Washington, because my grandpa and parents went there, plus I wanted to stay in Seattle and it’s a great school. I planned on applying to others as well, but I did the early app and found out December 1st that I was in so I didn’t bother with any others. Looking back I wish I had applied to more just to see where else I could have gotten in, but I know UW was the right choice for me 🙂

    Jamie
    Treats and Trends

  2. I’m currently a senior in college and I’m debating if I choose the right major. I feel like it’s too late to change it since i’m 28 credits away from graduating.
    Kate || KATE KOUTURES

    1. Hi Kate!

      It doesn’t hurt to look into it! I would suggest meeting with the department head of the major you’re considering, you never know!

      xx Aubrey

  3. I absolutely agree that when applying to colleges anything can happen, so its best to keep an open mind! I went to a school that I thought I would never go to and only applied on a whim, but I am so glad I did.
    I also went into my Freshman year with my major already “decided” (Psychology) and I did end up sticking with it, but along the way I fell in love with Communication Studies so I ended up adding a second major. It was challenging and exciting for me but I am so thankful I did it. Again, anything can happen!

    Taylor | http://www.livingtaylored.com

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