By Katie, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor
In recent years, even as undergraduate enrollment numbers have plateaued, students enrolling in STEM majors have continued to grow rapidly. Admission rates into selective institutions are plummeting and the competition for STEM students at our nation’s top institutions is becoming increasingly competitive. So, what exactly can make a great student stand out among the thousands of other good applicants to STEM programs?
As a former admission officer at MIT, I have reviewed thousands of applications. I want to give you some insider insight into STEM education and what colleges are looking for in STEM applicants.
Breakdown of STEM Fields
STEM fields are crucial for innovation and solving complex problems in our world. If you plan to pursue STEM in college, you can choose from a wide variety of science, mathematics, technology, and engineering majors, allowing you to focus on a specialized area of interest.
It’s important to keep in mind that many STEM career fields require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
What Is the Most Popular STEM Major?
STEM majors in general are more in-demand than ever, but here are five of the most popular:
1. Computer Science
Many students are attracted to this major because of its versatility and relevance to current technology and job markets. Computer science majors can focus on specializations, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, machine learning, and cloud computing.
2. Biological Sciences/Biology
Students pursuing this major receive a strong foundation in molecules, ecosystems, and all levels of biological organization. Specializations often include zoology, botany, genetics, physiology, and cellular biology, among others.
3. Mechanical Engineering
This major teaches students about the design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of mechanical systems ranging from machine parts and car engines to medical equipment.
4. Electrical Engineering
Students in this major learn how to design and create electrical equipment, such as electrical circuits, energy systems, electronics, semiconductors, microprocessors, and more.
5. Mathematics
This field of study takes a deep dive into mathematical theories, principles, and applications. Core areas include algebra, calculus, statistics, geometry, and number theory.
Of course, each school is different in terms of what majors are the most popular, but all the majors I listed above are among the 10 best MIT majors. And while MIT, Caltech, and Georgia Tech — among other prestigious schools — are highly regarded for their STEM programs, don’t overlook these 5 colleges for STEM majors. You can find a variety of great programs at colleges and universities across the U.S.
What Is the Best STEM Major?
The best STEM major is always the one that aligns best with your interests and career goals. That said, some have a higher return on investment than others. According to Payscale’s 2024 College Salary Report, these are the best STEM majors in terms of salary:
- Petroleum engineering.
- Industrial engineering.
- Electrical engineering and computer science (EECS).
- Interaction design.
- Building science.
STEM fields in general are in high demand and pay well, so any STEM degree you pursue will have a good return on investment.
What Admissions Officers Look for in STEM Applicants
Given the amount of competition among STEM applicants, it’s important to build your profile in a way that stands out from your peers. Admissions officers look for the following factors when reviewing your application.
Challenging Course Loads
I can’t stress enough the importance of course rigor when applying to college, especially to STEM programs. Take the most rigorous courses available to you in high school and do well in them — especially in your math and science courses. Take math courses through calculus, and have biology, chemistry, and physics on your transcript. Even if you don’t want to study biology in college, demonstrating you can handle the challenges of multiple STEM courses, especially at the honors, AP, IB, or upper level, is a key factor in helping admissions officers feel you can handle the rigor at their institution.
Involvement in STEM Activities
It is not enough to have great grades and test scores. It’s also important to know what colleges look for in extracurricular activities. Although you are unlikely to discover the cure for cancer or engineer the greatest invention of the century, there are many ways to show you have a significant involvement with STEM — and extracurriculars are a great way to highlight your passion to an admissions committee.
Immerse yourself in opportunities in your high school and community to learn about the different STEM fields available. For example, join the robotics team. No robotics team at your school? Advocate to start one, or volunteer with FIRST Lego League. Take courses online in computer science, biological engineering, theoretical physics, or video game design. Get involved with the Math and Science Olympiads, and reach out to local college professors or STEM companies to find a research opportunity or internship. Experiencing these opportunities will not only enrich your understanding of various STEM fields but will also help you figure out if you really like STEM, and if so, what discipline you like.
A Compelling STEM “Story”
Connected to “getting involved” is helping admissions officers to see how your interests have grown and developed over your high school career. Your activities list of experiences and opportunities helps paint the picture of your STEM passion outside of the classroom. You might be involved in the math team or science club at your high school but look for ways to take those interests to the next level. How can you eat, sleep, and breathe STEM? Push for your school to administer the American Mathematics Competition test or take a summer physics course so you can advance into AP Physics C.
It’s also important to consider how to make an impact using STEM. Rather than hiding in your room doing math problems, get involved with tutoring younger students in math. Work with the technical crew for your high school’s theater program or help the IT person at your high school design a computer program to make class scheduling easier.
You might have to get creative, but if you look for opportunities to fuse STEM into everything you are doing, you will discover that the STEM fields are a foundation of so many things in our lives. Spread your passion, and through your application, the story of your STEM passion will be clear.
Ability to Communicate Your Interest in Your Major
It is great to say you want to earn an electrical engineering degree, but being able to communicate through your essays, application, and in college interviews that you understand what it actually means to study engineering is key. It is very easy to tell when an applicant is not sincere in their understanding of a proposed major, and that can reflect poorly on those applicants.
The field of STEM is broad, and doing your research to know if you prefer theoretical physics or applied, or the difference between biological and biomedical, can go a long way in helping an admissions officer feel confident you are a good fit for the program to which you are applying.
Good Personal Qualities
You must be able to collaborate with others in a productive way, and admissions officers will be looking for that evidence in your application. Be a good citizen in your classes and in your broader community. Don’t underestimate how powerful good personal qualities can be within the realm of competitive and selective STEM admissions.
If you build a foundation and reputation as a nice and kind person, that will come through in your letters of recommendation. Whether you’re always first to volunteer to help a peer struggling with a concept or cheer the loudest at sports games, those qualities are important and extremely valued in the admissions process. Even if you are shy or introverted, you can demonstrate your strength of character through your participation in class and general involvement in your school community.
Resilience
I can’t tell you the number of essays I read as an admissions officer about the time the robot broke in the middle of the competition. Yes, the robot always breaks, but what I wanted to see from those experiences was how a student reacted to that setback and utilized their critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities — and most importantly — ability to collaborate with peers to resolve the problem.
STEM majors are challenging, and you will face countless instances where a project doesn’t go according to plan or your first 12 attempts at solving a problem fail. Demonstrating your ability to react well to setbacks with grace and dignity will help an admissions office see your potential for success in a STEM major.
Passion and Fun!
Most importantly, you need to do what you love! Pursue your passions and interests, and don’t be afraid to try new things. High school is a time to explore what you love and go after it! If you find something you love, pursue it relentlessly, and the rest of the things listed above will follow naturally and shine through in your application.
Apply to Your Best-Fit STEM Major with IvyWise
Applying to college as a STEM major can be very competitive. If you start building your STEM story early by taking the right courses, getting involved, and making an impact inside and outside of the classroom, you’ll be in the best position to gain admission to your top-choice colleges. For more information on how IvyWise can help guide you through the college prep and admissions process, contact us today for details on our college counseling programs.
