As a College Admissions Officer, I worked at universities (Duke & Georgetown) that had specialty colleges– engineering and business, for example– in addition to their broader College of Arts and Sciences. This isn’t uncommon, and in many instances, students apply to the specialty programs in their senior year of high school (as opposed to entering college and applying to programs after arriving on campus). In this role, I was often asked how students could best prepare themselves to select the appropriate program and distinguish themselves in the process.
One of the most important things to remember when applying for specialty programs is that they attract niche students. That being said, at both the universities I worked, the specialty programs were not more selective than the College of Arts and Sciences. The programs were narrow in scope, and they attracted fewer applicants overall, but there was a self-selection bias. Applicants to specialty programs often have unique qualifications.
If you’re applying to a specialty program (engineering, business, medicine, international relations, etc.) think about the specific academic skills those specialty programs rely on (you can get a sense of things by looking at the curriculum). Then, think about extracurricular opportunities that echo your interest in that field of study.
Let’s take Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business as an example:
In McDonough, students have to take calculus, economics, accounting, statistics, and finance, so the admissions committee looks for students with strong quantitative backgrounds. In my experience, applicants to business programs often had very strong quantitative backgrounds (both in terms of curriculum and academic achievement). Specialty program, niche applicants. So, how are your quantitative grades and test scores? Are they at or above the middle 50% of students admitted to the school?
What else would McDonough look for in its applicants? Exposure to business, through jobs, internships, clubs, and volunteer work, is an important component. Because business programs are so narrow in scope, the admissions committee wants to be reasonably certain that the applicant knows what they’re heading into. Show off your entrepreneurial spirit by starting your own club or company. Volunteer to do your parents’ taxes. See if you can help out in the operations of a local non-profit. Do something that exposes you to business and proves that you know what you’re in for (bonus points if you can expand your interests beyond yourself and do something good for your community). As with any extracurricular, stick to it. Showcase your dedication, persistence, and passion.
What if you’re not sure if your qualifications will make you a competitive applicant? If your testing falls at or below the school’s middle 50% and your extracurricular portfolio isn’t focused on business, consider applying undeclared/undecided to the College of Arts and Sciences. Remember, universities are places that encourage learning and exploration, and it’s okay to switch majors/programs after you arrive (just make sure your university allows internal transfers before you apply). Keep in mind that during your freshman year you’ll have to push yourself to substantiate your interest in business both academically and extracurricularly if you intend to transfer into the business school down the road.
This case study in business can apply to any specialty program application. Whatever your interest, self-evaluate your academic and extracurricular strengths to see if they align with your collegiate aspirations. If you see room for growth in your application, remember that the college experience is designed to foster growth and change and your freshman application is not the end of the road.