Don’t Let TikTok Decide Your Teen’s Major - Here’s What Actually Matters

I work with families across the country to create personalized, thoughtful college application strategies. And today, I want to talk to you, not your teen, for just a moment about something that matters more than it may seem at first:

👉🏽 Your teen’s intended college major.

Before you eye-roll and say, “We’ll figure that out later,” hear me out.

🎥 Here's Why I’m Talking About Majors Right Now

When students start listing schools, their “intended major” is often an afterthought—or worse, a reaction to social media trends. But majors matter. In fact, they’re one of the core four elements we use at Strategic Admissions Advice to build strong college lists:
📍 Cost
📍 Location
📍 Major
📍 Career goals

🚫 The Trap: Trendy Majors That Backfire

Let’s be real—majors like computer science, engineering, pre-med, and business are incredibly popular. And on TikTok or YouTube, they seem like fast-tracks to big salaries and career success.

But here’s the thing:

❗️ They’re overcrowded.
❗️ They’re ultra-competitive.
❗️ They require specific academic markers (think: high math and science grades) to even be considered.

If your student doesn’t have the academic track record to back up these choices, selecting them as their “intended major” can actually hurt their chances of getting in.

📚 A Cautionary Tale

I once worked with a student who loved psychology. He was engaged, had AP coursework to support his interest, and was excited to major in it.

But his parents pushed him toward engineering. He was academically strong enough to get into the program, but once he got there, he hated it. The classes didn’t align with his passion or skillset. He became frustrated, burnt out, and mentally checked out.

He eventually switched majors, but the damage to his college experience was already done.

Lesson? 🎯 Pick a major that matches your kid, not what sounds “secure” or “prestigious.”

👀 What Colleges Are Really Looking For

When a student lists a major, admissions officers want to see:
✔️ Evidence of interest (relevant classes, extracurriculars, etc.)
✔️ Alignment with their academic profile
✔️ A clear, authentic story

You don’t need your teen to have it all figured out. But you do need a plan.

🔍 Majors You Might Be Overlooking (That Are Still In-Demand)

Let’s give some love to underappreciated majors that still lead to real careers:

🌿 Environmental Science
🏙️ Urban Planning
🧑🏽‍🏫 Education
📊 Data Analytics
📈 Public Policy
🎭 Arts Management

These are not fallback majors. They’re thoughtful, strategic choices for the right students.

📌 College List Builder = Your Custom Strategy

Let’s make this easier for your family.

When you sign up for College List Builder, I personally review your child’s transcript, hear from you (the parent), and hear from them (the student). I use that info to build a thoughtful list of 20 schools based on:

📍 Academics
📍 Interests
📍 Location preferences
📍 Budget

And for this month only, you also get a FREE 30-minute call with me to discuss the list, ask questions, and clarify your teen’s direction.

👉🏽 Sign up for College List Builder now

🧭 Not Sure What Major Yet? I Can Help With That Too

If your teen is still unsure, we can schedule a separate 60-minute strategy session where I walk them through a personality and interest assessment that points toward possible majors and careers.

This isn't guesswork. It’s a strategy. It’s peace of mind. And it starts with College List Builder.

🙌🏽 Help Your Kid Choose the Right Future

You don’t need to have all the answers. But you do need a plan. Don’t let TikTok, peer pressure, or even your own fears shape your teen’s college choices.

Let’s build a plan that actually works for your family before the end of the month.

📍 Sign up today and get your free call with me