Add a default [--]option to the program selection on the application so that a student has to select a program before submitting the application.
Defaulting to undecided or the first program in the list does not provide confirmation that the student made that selection. They may just be submitting the application with the default program (whether undecided or the 1st program in the list).
The default and added form validation is available for the term selection in the application. Please also add it for the program selection.