A few days ago
William, It Was Really Nothing

NYU: Should I lie about my major?

I want to study finance at NYU Stern when I go to college. But since Stern is so hard to get into, even as an undergrad, should I fib and tell them I want to study liberal arts, like history or something, in order to get accepted? Then, once I am accepted, can I switch into finance?

Top 9 Answers
A few days ago
mnlab

Favorite Answer

go for it.

it isnt actually lying. most colleges don’t even ask you to declare majors. and anything can happen in a year of 12th grade high school. suppose you took an economics class and fell in love with the subject or a finance class, etc.

it was honest of you. you had INTENDED to study liberal arts but changed your mind. as MANY college students do.

but you absolutely have to make sure that you’re allowed to transfer. many colleges allow you to only transfer to their college of arts and science. not to their specialized colleges. so call the admissions office (anonymously), and ask them that question. i know UPenn allows students to transfer into their arts and science, but not into wharton, engineering, or nursing. To transfer into their specialized schools, you would have to reapply (but generally, it is easier to get into a different college in th SAME university as a transfer student than as a freshman). i’m not sure how NYU works. you will have to get details on that yourself.

if they allow you, go for it. you will not be accused of lying.

good luck

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A few days ago
Joy M
Yes, you could “switch” majors once you get there, but it might not be any easier. If the business/finance program is difficult into as an applicant, it’s probably just as difficult to get into once you’re accepted to the university. You’ll have to apply for your major program and there will be standards for applying no matter at what stage you’re applying.

I don’t know about NYU Stern, but many college have a University Division, into which all students who haven’t declared a major are place until they do declare. You could apply to Stern, tentatively name Finance as your major. If you aren’t accepted into the Business school or Finance program right off the bat, you’ll be placed in the University Division and you can apply for the program your freshman or sophomore year.

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A few days ago
M W
I don’t know the details of how it works at NYU, but at many universities, you get accepted to a specific college within the university, rather than to the entire university itself. If you want to study finance in one college but lie to get yourself accepted to the liberal arts college, you may or may not be able to switch later on. It sounds like lying in this case might be a great way to shoot yourself in the foot.
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A few days ago
Anonymous
Getting accepted into the university is different than being accepted into the program of your choice. First , get yourself into school to start with. Sign up for your classes, and work hard to prove yourself and get good grades. Getting into the program of your choice is based on performance from freshman and sophomore years. Good Luck!
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A few days ago
ny
You can do that or go in as an undeclared major. There’s nothing wrong with that. People do it all the time.
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A few days ago
istitch2
And lying will make them take you??? I’m not following the logic here … if there is logic.

My general feeling is that you shouldn’t lie.

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A few days ago
revolution
If you lie they will see that you will likely lie again. Just be honest- lying isn’t worth it. If they don’t want you, they don’t. Lying won’t help.
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A few days ago
Tray B
no

what goes around comes around.

cheaters never win and winners never cheat

liar liar pants on fire

and all that jazz…

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A few days ago
Spaceyangel
You shouldn’t “lie” about anything….
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