Selecting a Major
By now -- you have probably been asked the most common question on campus: "What is your major?" Your major identifies you with a college, an academic discipline, and a group of faculty and students who share your interest; so you will be asked this question a lot. As a first year student, you may not have chosen your major. You may not even have chosen a college. Don't worry about it. When asked this question -- you might say: "I haven't decided but I am thinking about....." Even if you have selected a major, you may find that your experience at the university broadens your horizons and what you actually major in will be different than what you originally planned.
Generally, your first step in selecting a major is to choose a college. If you enter the university without selecting a college, you will be assigned to the Division of General Studies. During your first year, you should decide which college offers majors you might be interested in pursuing. Since colleges within the university have different degree requirements, the courses you take will be affected by both your major and your college. The Division of General Studies will assist you in planning a course schedule during your first year that allows you to keep your "options open" but still make progress towards one of several different degrees. Generally, by the end of your first year, you should have selected a college and have begun to consider several areas as possible majors. You can still change your mind as to your college and major -- but what is important is that you plan now to use your first year to discover what interests you!
You can find a listing of all majors at Admissions. In addition, the Undergraduate Bulletin specifies the majors that each college offers and lists the requirements for the degree and the major.
In selecting a major, you will want to consider a variety of factors. The most important factor, however, is whether you enjoy your major! You will succeed in a major you enjoy because you will commit the time and effort it requires to be successful. Sometimes, you may begin a major, only to find that after taking a few courses, your interest wanes. If this happens, change majors. Changing majors may require you to take an additional semester or two to earn your degree, but you benefit in the long run because you will major in something that holds your interest. Other factors, that you should consider include:
- What are your academic strengths? If a major requires that you use mathematical analysis or study a foreign language, do these areas represent your academic strengths? If so, you are more likely to enjoy the major and be successful in it. To determine your academic strengths, think about courses you have enjoyed.
- What college offers the major and what are the general degree requirements for that college? Several majors are offered in more than one college and the different colleges may have different general degree requirements that may affect your decision. For instance, you can major in economics in either the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Business Administration. If you choose to major in economics through the College of Arts and Sciences, you are required to study a foreign language through the 200-level in college; whereas, if you major though the College of Business Administration, you do not have this general requirement.
- If you are interested in a pursuing a professional degree in law or medicine after you complete your bachelor's degree, what undergraduate major might be advantageous? Students with a wide-variety of majors are admitted to most professional schools. You should consult with a pre-professional adviser to plan your course work so that you meet admission requirements regardless of the major you choose.
- What majors might lead to a career that interests you? If a certain career interests you, what major might enable you to succeed in that career. For instance, careers in engineering, teaching, architecture, and accountancy require a specific educational background. At the same time, choosing a major because of the current job market may not lead to a satisfying career. It is important that you enjoy your major. Except for certain technical areas, most career paths are not determined by your undergraduate major. This gives you tremendous flexibility to choose a major that interests you, challenges you - and excites you!
