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Initial Declaration Process

Students should have ample time to be exposed to a broad range of courses and experiences before focusing their educational interests and so do not declare their majors until the fourth semester of their college enrollment. 

Preparation Tips:

• Reference the º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ Catalogue and Academic Handbook for
• Understand your options: students can choose from six basic patterns to satisfy the major requirement: one departmental major; two departmental majors (a double major); one ; one ; one ; or any of the preceding with a departmental minor (only one minor is allowed).
• Normally, students are required to declare their majors before registering for courses for the junior year or applying to participate in junior- or senior-year off-campus study programs. 
• Each department/program approaches this process differently and eligible students should contact the department/program directly with any questions about completing major/minor requirements. 
• Since some departments have courses that must be passed or criteria that must be met before a student will be accepted as a major, students are encouraged to think well in advance about possible majors and to speak with faculty about their educational interests.

How do students declare:

• At the start of each student's fourth semester, they are sent a "Major/Minor Declaration Form," via email and submit their desired major/minor by the posted deadline.
• Our team reviews and enters the declarations in Polaris.
• After all approved declarations are posted in Polaris, the academic department coordinators enter the major/minor advisor assignments by the posted deadline.
• Students are expected to reach out to their newly assigned major/minor advisors to meet and discuss their plans for course registration and completing the degree as soon as possible since course registration begins the week following the advisor entry deadline. 
• See the Registrar's Calendar for the exact timelines for each semester.

Changing a Declared Major/Minor

After the initial declaration is processed, students may request adjustments to their declared majors/minor by emailing registrar@bowdoin.edu:

• Be clear about the desired changes: include your student ID and current declarations, describe which majors/minor you're adding/dropping, and explain what you want your total declarations to be. 
• Here is an example of the information students should provide in the email: 
  • My ID is 000000 and I am currently majoring in Polar Bear Studies. 
  • I would like to drop that major to a minor and replace it with a major in North Star Sciences. 
  • My updated declarations will be a major in North Star Sciences and a minor in Polar Bear Studies.
• Submit your requests well in advance of the start of registration. 

What happens after you send the request email?

• Our team will review your record and ensure your request aligns with College policies, e.g., students may only have one minor, before making the change.
• Major/minor change requests are processed on a rolling basis in the order received.
• When a new major or minor is added, our team notifies the academic department coordinator in the relevant department or program who will assign a major/minor advisor. 

Additional information:

• After your declarations are updated in Polaris and your new advisor is assigned, if applicable, students should reach out to their new advisors to set up a time to meet and plan. 
• Students considering changes should consult with faculty to discuss their individual academic goals and pathway through the requirements of the degree.
  • Not sure who to talk to? Start with your current advisor.
• Students may change their majors and minor as many times as necessary but they may not declare a new major or minor after the first semester of the senior year.