“Why Major” Essay Templates by Discipline
The “Why Major?” essay isn’t asking, “Do you like this subject?”
It’s asking: Is your interest credible — and do you have a plan for how you’ll explore it on our campus?
Most weak “Why Major” essays fail because they’re too vague (“I’ve always loved science”) or too résumé-like (a list of classes with no meaning). The strongest essays show a simple arc:
- origin of interest,
- exploration with proof,
- and forward motion with fit.
This guide gives you templates by discipline so your essay sounds specific and believable.
What schools want to learn from “Why Major”
Admissions readers are trying to understand:
- Motivation: why this subject (not just “it’s interesting”)
- Evidence: what have you done to explore it?
- Readiness: do you understand what the major actually involves?
- Fit: why this campus is a good place for your next step
The universal structure (works for most majors)
- Origin (a moment or problem that sparked interest)
- Exploration (what you did — classes, projects, reading, research, building)
- Evidence (a concrete outcome, insight, or artifact)
- Fit (2–3 campus specifics connected to your trajectory)
- Forward motion (what you want to do next and how you’ll contribute)
Templates by discipline
STEM (CS, engineering, math, sciences)
Angle prompts:
- What problem did you try to solve or build?
- What did you test, debug, or iterate?
- What did you learn that changed your approach?
Template: “I became interested in ___ when ___. I explored it by ___ (project/course/research). Through ___, I learned ___. At [School], I want to deepen this by ___ (specific program/lab/course) and contribute by ___.”
Business / economics
Angle prompts:
- What system did you analyze (markets, organizations, incentives)?
- What project shows initiative (club, case comp, small venture)?
Template: “My interest in ___ grew from ___. I explored it through ___ and learned ___. At [School], I’m excited by ___ (program/course/club) because ___. I hope to apply this by ___ (project, research, campus contribution).”
Humanities / social sciences
Angle prompts:
- What question keeps pulling you back?
- What text, idea, or debate changed how you think?
- How do you connect ideas to real-world impact?
Template: “I’m drawn to ___ because ___. I explored this through ___ and became especially interested in ___. At [School], I want to study this further through ___ and contribute by ___.”
Arts / creative majors
Angle prompts:
- What have you made (portfolio proof)?
- How did your craft evolve?
- What kind of creative community do you thrive in?
Template: “I started ___ when ___. Over time, I developed ___ by ___ (projects/performances). At [School], I’m excited by ___ (studios, faculty, ensembles) because ___. I hope to contribute by ___.”
Pre-med / health pathways (for supplements, not “I want to help people”)
Angle prompts:
- What experiences built understanding (service, research, clinical exposure)?
- What did you learn about the realities and ethics of health work?
Template: “My interest in health grew from ___. I explored it through ___ and learned ___. At [School], I want to deepen this through ___ and contribute through ___.”
Common mistakes (and fixes)
-
Mistake: no proof beyond classes.
Fix: add a project, artifact, or independent exploration. -
Mistake: “I want to help people.”
Fix: show a specific health/impact interest and what you’ve learned about it. -
Mistake: generic campus fit.
Fix: connect specifics to your next step (what you’ll do with them).
CTA — outline your Why Major
If you want help turning your interest into a credible arc (and choosing the best proof points), we can help you outline quickly.
Outline your Why Major