Helping Your Teen Connect Their Strengths to a Major That Matters

If you’re parenting a high schooler through the college admissions process, you’ve probably noticed the shift. It’s no longer just about strong GPAs and standout test scores. Especially at large public universities like UT Austin, the University of Michigan, and schools in the UC system, colleges are asking a new question:

How well does this student’s story align with the major they’re choosing?

This growing trend—often called “fit to major”—asks students to go deeper. Admissions officers aren’t just reviewing academics; they’re looking for signs of genuine interest, preparation, and potential in the major a student selects.

For families, that might sound like just another hoop. But it’s also an opportunity. When students connect their strengths and interests to a major that truly fits, they gain more than a competitive edge—they gain direction.

Here’s how to help your teen explore what they’re good at, connect their strengths to what they care about, and bring that alignment to life in their college applications.

Why "Fit to Major" Matters More Than Ever

At many top public universities, students apply directly into a major—and that major plays a significant role.

At UT Austin, for example, two applicants with identical GPAs can receive very different outcomes depending on how clearly they’ve demonstrated readiness for their first-choice major. Similar review practices exist at the University of Wisconsin, UIUC, UNC Chapel Hill, and the University of Washington.

Why are colleges prioritizing this?

• It helps predict student success: Students aligned with their major are more likely to persist and graduate.
  
• It helps applicants stand out: In competitive pools, alignment adds depth to strong academics.
  
• It reflects real-world readiness: Students who explore and reflect early tend to thrive once on campus.

Step 1: Help Your Teen Discover What They're Good At

This doesn’t start with a major. It starts with a mirror.

• What comes naturally?
  
• What subjects spark curiosity?
  
• What kinds of work feel energizing, not exhausting?

Encourage your teen to try classes that stretch them—business, psychology, engineering design, journalism—and to join clubs or activities that offer hands-on experience.

This stage is less about picking a path and more about noticing the sparks.

Let them experiment:

• Try a coding camp or build something from scratch (Computer Science, Engineering)
  
• Volunteer at a clinic or shadow a nurse (Health, Nursing)
  
• Intern with a local business or lead a DECA project (Business, Marketing)
  
• Write for the school paper or perform in theater (Communications, Arts)

Step 2: Go Beyond Exploring—Build Depth

Once your teen finds an area that feels like a good fit, encourage them to take the next step.

• Take on leadership roles in related clubs
  
• Launch a project, blog, or community initiative
  
• Pursue internships, mentorships, or volunteer experiences
  
• Propose independent research or creative work

Depth and consistency send a powerful message: this isn’t a passing interest—it’s a direction.

Step 3: Let the Transcript Tell a Story

Academic choices should support a student’s intended major. Admissions officers look for rigor and relevance.

Examples:

• Business/Econ: AP Econ, Statistics, DECA
  
• Engineering: Advanced Math, Physics, Computer Science
  
• Health Sciences: Biology, Anatomy, Health electives
  
• Communications: Journalism, Speech, AP Lang

Encourage your teen to challenge themselves in subjects that relate to their future goals. Doing well in those courses shows both interest and readiness.

Step 4: Showcase Their Journey in the Application

Expanded Résumé (especially for UT Austin):

Keep it updated and organized. Highlight how each activity supports the intended major. For each entry:

• Role, organization, dates, and hours
  
• One bullet on what they did
  
• One bullet on the impact they made

Essays:

Use major-specific prompts (like UT’s short answer) to tell a focused story:

• Why this major?
  
• What sparked that interest?
  
• Why this college’s program?

Even the personal statement can support the narrative—by showing curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, or resilience in action.

Recommendations: 

Choose teachers who can speak to major-relevant strengths. A science teacher who saw your teen’s spark in lab or a business teacher who witnessed leadership in action can provide powerful insight.

Step 5: Support Their Growth—Not Just Their Plan

This step matters most.

• Be the steady guide: Help them set timelines, stay organized, and reflect.
  
• Celebrate growth: Focus on effort, not just results.
  
• Normalize uncertainty: Let them know it’s okay to pivot.
  
• Model calm: Your steady presence builds their resilience.

College isn’t about locking into one “right” path—it’s about learning how to explore with purpose.

Strengths First, Major Second

When students lead with what they’re good at—and connect it to a major that matters—they don’t just write stronger applications. They build a more intentional future. The new admissions edge isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions, exploring with purpose, and telling a story only they can tell.That’s how they’ll stand out. That’s how they’ll find their place.