<p>is it dangerous to discuss my interest in popular majors (e.g. econ) in my essays? I filled in undeclared in the common app, but if it’s not going to hurt my chances, then I’m going to discuss my interest in econ in one of my essays. If it is, I can always think of something else.</p>
<p>It may not be as interesting or original to the reader as it could be if you had an interest in a more unusual field. But that doesn’t matter because you should write about what you like. Any negative effect, if one exists at all, will be negligible.</p>
<p>I think there are two main ways of discussing an interest in econ. One is great, the other, not so much.</p>
<p>Option A.</p>
<p>“I am passionate about economics. I read The Economist and Paul Krugman of the New York Times regularly and find Milton Friedman fascinating. I have excelled in my math/econ/history classes and participate in activities that relate to this interest. That’s why I want to be an econ major, and that’s why I think the University of Chicago might be a great fit for my academic and intellectual needs.”</p>
<p>Option B.</p>
<p>“Even though I have nothing on my transcript or college application that suggests an interest in economics or the intellectual rigor of the University of Chicago, I want to be an economics major because I heard I can be an investment banker for Lehman Brothers if I keep up a 3.0 GPA. I want to be an investment banker for Lehman Brothers because I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooove moneyyyyyyyyyyyyy!”</p>
<p>If you fall under option A, you’re great. You have an interest in economics and you have a paper trail that confirms that interest. If you’re under option B, that where I think you’re stuck. You have nothing to confirm your interest, and if you just say “I want to major in economics,” without explaining why, you run the risk of looking like you are looking to be on the fast track to making money.</p>
<p>If you really are interested in econ for pure reasons, but don’t have the paper trail to prove it, I would suggest leaving it off the application and instead focusing on other traits that make you a good fit.</p>
<p>P.S. If you actually do read The Economist, welcome home.</p>
<p>hahaha. I actually do read the economist. I visit its website daily - along with bloomberg’s and bbc’s. </p>
<p>What I had in mind when I asked the question was whether the adcoms would group me together with students who declared econ majors, and perhaps raise the admissions standards. That’s what I’m concerned about.</p>
<p>I finished my essay but just realized I mention quite a few economists/authors from universities other than UChicago. Is that good?</p>
<p>The Economist <3</p>
<p>but oddly I have no interest in studying economics.</p>
<p>To those concerned that putting down a popular major will hurt their chances: UChicago wants people who are interested in economics. UChicago has a very good economics department. Granted not all of us can be investment bankers, but they don’t hold economics majors to a different standard or higher standard then, say, English majors. And it seems like your really shooting yourself in the foot if that’s what you really are passionate about.</p>