Why a STEM-designated program changes your whole timeline

The single most consequential admissions choice for many is whether a program is STEM-designated. A STEM CIP code makes you eligible for the 24-month OPT extension, which means up to three years of work authorization and two extra shots at the H-1B lottery. Same school, different major, very different runway. If you are still choosing, ask the department for the exact CIP code, not a vague yes. Did STEM designation factor into your choice?