* Specific courses: A seemingly "essay-light" major might have one or two notoriously essay-heavy courses.
* Professor preference: Some professors assign many short essays, while others prefer fewer, longer ones.
* University and program: The expectations for writing differ between universities and even within different programs within the same university.
However, majors that generally involve less writing-intensive coursework than others *tend* to be in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. This is because a lot of their assessment is often through:
* Labs and experiments: Results are reported in lab reports, which are more structured and less essay-like than free-form essays.
* Problem sets and exams: These assess understanding through calculations and problem-solving, not extended written argumentation.
Majors that *might* have comparatively fewer essays:
* Many engineering disciplines: While some engineering programs have technical writing components, the emphasis is generally on problem-solving and practical application.
* Some mathematics and computer science programs: Similar to engineering, the focus is heavily on problem sets and coding assignments.
* Certain pre-professional programs (pre-med, pre-law): While some writing is involved in applications, the core coursework itself may have less emphasis on essay writing compared to humanities majors.
Important Caveat: Even in these fields, you'll likely still encounter some essays, particularly in introductory courses or those with a theoretical component. Don't assume *no* essays are involved. Always check the specific course descriptions and program requirements of the universities you're considering.