How should I choose a major at the University of San Diego if I'm not fully decided yet?

At the University of San Diego, you do not need to have your entire academic path figured out before you apply. USD allows students to enter while still exploring, and it is normal to start with a broad interest area and refine it after taking classes. The key thing to know is that some programs are more structured than others, so how easily you can switch depends on the major.

If you are undecided, the best approach is to look at USD’s actual academic structure rather than just major titles. Read the course requirements for the majors you are considering, especially the first-year and sophomore-year classes, and ask yourself which set of courses you would genuinely want to take. At USD, the College of Arts and Sciences usually offers the most flexibility for exploration, while majors in areas like nursing or engineering tend to have more sequenced requirements and can be harder to enter later without careful planning.

It also helps to think in terms of questions instead of labels. For example, ask whether you prefer writing, data, lab work, design, policy, business problem-solving, or working directly with people. Then compare those preferences to USD programs, minors, and electives. USD’s liberal arts core can work in your favor because it gives you room to explore different fields early on while still making progress toward graduation.

For the application itself, choose the major that best matches your current interests, not the one that seems most practical or impressive. Admissions readers want a believable academic direction, not a forced one. If you are between fields, it is completely reasonable to present yourself as someone with a few connected interests and explain what you hope to explore at USD.

A strong way to decide is to narrow your options to two or three majors, review their four-year plans, and see which one leaves room for exploration without closing doors.