Declaring a major

Major declaration occurs during the sophomore year. To declare your major, you need to fill out the major declaration form and write a brief essay outlining the intellectual project you intend to pursue within your chosen major. You must submit your major declaration essay to the curricular dean responsible for your major.

Major declaration form

Complete the major declaration form indicating which core courses you have completed.

Essay

Write a short essay that outlines what you hope to pursue in the context of the major. You should identify the themes and questions you wish to explore and discuss your plans. 

If you plan on studying abroad, include your rationale for the location and course of study you wish to undertake. 

Most major declaration essays are 250-500 words but may be longer. When writing this essay, consult with faculty members and curricular deans, relying on your own research and thinking, rather than artificial intelligence. The goal of this essay is not to impress the dean but to enable you to determine for yourself what you personally wish to get out of your chosen major.

Major declaration appointment

After submitting the form and essay, make an appointment with the curricular dean responsible for your intended major. The purpose of this meeting is to assess progress toward graduation and discuss the studies and opportunities ahead of you.

Students applying for overseas study

If you are applying to study abroad, you must complete your major declaration before initiating your study abroad application, since a good study abroad application cannot be constructed without knowing your major course of study.

Please note that some junior-year abroad deadlines are during the fall of the sophomore year.

Declaration timeline

For all SFS sophomores, the major declaration period begins at the end of the add-drop period in September and ends on the Friday before spring break.

Note: The major declaration process has several steps; you cannot complete them in a day or two. You need to plan to make sure that you meet the deadline. Students who fail to declare a major by the Friday before spring break cannot register for fall courses.

Additional resources

• Tips on writing your major declaration essay

Major course substitutions

For most students, the official major course lists on each major website provide ample selection of courses from which to choose each semester. However, you may find a course that is not on the list but is particularly relevant to the course of study you have laid out in your major declaration. This course might provide a new angle on an issue you have already explored in a major course or introduce you to theories and methods that you will need to use to explore the questions you have set for yourself in the major.

You must make a convincing case that the course fits the program within your major and offers a unique perspective or approach that you cannot examine in any of the courses already on the approved list. If the course in question merely provides background information without addressing the central question or issue in your major program, such as a general survey of the history, politics or economics of a region, it is a poor candidate for a major substitution.

Requests for major substitutions based on scheduling convenience, double-counting toward core or certificate requirements or the desire to maintain proficiency in a language are generally rejected.

Students may request a maximum of two major substitutions during their undergraduate career.

Request a major substitution

To request a major substitution,

1. Fill out the major substitution form, arguing why the course in question is crucial to the coherence of your major program.
2. Attach a copy of the syllabus or description to the substitution form.
3. Turn in the form to the curricular dean.

The dean will notify you about the decision by email or by leaving a copy of the form at the front desk for you to pick up.

Explore our majors