A Guide to Choosing a College Major
Choosing a college major is not just a box to check on your college application; it's a strategic move that can significantly impact your admissions journey. In this guide, we'll explore the importance of selecting the right major, the flexibility within this decision, and valuable tips for students and parents.
Section 1: Importance of Choosing a Major:
When it comes to college admissions, your chosen major speaks volumes. Selective colleges often admit students based on their declared major, viewing it as a signal of your academic direction and commitment. Sometimes, your second choice of major may come into play if your first choice fails to secure direct admission. For example, the admissions director indicated that they do this at Carnegie Mellon University.
Section 2: Flexibility and Research:
The good news is that your initial major choice is flexible. Colleges understand that interests evolve, and you can change your major later. However, this decision shouldn't be taken lightly. Thorough research into specific college admissions processes and changing major criteria is vital. Make the most of college tours, contact admissions counselors, and attend information sessions to gather as much information as possible.
Here are three questions students should ask themselves that can help them predict their major:
Which subjects do I take at a more advanced level/highest level offered at my high school (such as an honors or AP class)?
What classes are my highest grades in?
What classes do I like the most, year after year?
Remember to review the admissions requirements and policies of each college you're considering, and feel free to contact their admissions counselors for personalized guidance. They can provide insights into the importance of major choice in their specific admissions process and any flexibility or considerations they may offer.
Additionally, attending college information sessions, open houses, or virtual events hosted by colleges can be valuable opportunities to learn more about their expectations and preferences regarding the choice of major.
Section 3: Undecided Students:
Feeling the pressure to choose a major in high school is normal, but it's crucial not to rush this decision. Instead, attend career fairs, conduct informational interviews, and build your network. Networking is a valuable skill that often proves essential in the job search process. The earlier you start, the more robust your network will be when you need it.
Typically, college admissions offices value a sense of purpose and commitment to academic and career goals. Demonstrating a genuine interest in a particular field through your choice of major can positively impact your application. However, it's also generally understood that students may explore and change their majors as they progress through college.
Section 4: Exploring Interests in High School:
High school is the perfect time to explore your interests. Take a variety of classes to discover what you like and what you don't. Balancing a challenging course load with extracurricular activities is essential. Remember, you don't need to excel in every subject; finding a balance is key to a well-rounded academic experience.
Section 5: Assessments and Self-Reflection:
Consider taking learning style inventories, aptitude assessments, and career interest surveys to make informed decisions. These assessments can provide valuable insights into how your interests align with potential careers. Understanding yourself early in the process is vital to avoid costly changes later on by switching your major. You don’t have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life, you just need to keep learning about yourself every day!
What is your Sparketype - ask Stefanie to discuss this with you! (Stefanie’s is the Advisor and the Essentialist).
Conclusion:
In summary, choosing a college major is a significant decision but should not cause undue stress. Approach the process with an open mind, be proactive in your research, and use the resources available to you. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, and remember that it's okay to adapt your plan based on your evolving understanding of yourself. By taking these steps, you'll strengthen your college application and set yourself on a path toward a fulfilling and successful academic and professional future.
My Daughter’s College Major Journey:
My daughter who is now a college sophomore didn’t have a clear direction on what major she wanted to consider when she was in high school. She always loved art and it was more of a hobby than a path to a career. I encouraged her to take some college-level courses her senior year since she had space in her schedule to go beyond the high school curriculum offered. The medium of art she was used to creating was drawing and painting and a bit of fun digital work on her phone by designing art using pictures. Teaching herself how to use a camera also became an interest of hers. However, the narrative of society would be that she would be a struggling artist doing everything she could to make money after college to get by since it would not be a lucrative career.
With some career exploration surveys and input from her mom graphic design came to mind— I encouraged her to enroll in an introductory graphic design class - Adobe Illustrator at a local college. My thought with this approach would do one of two things. It would reveal if she liked digital design or not. It’s that simple. Upon completion of the semester, she was glad to report that she learned a lot and she wanted to take more classes like this even though it was very challenging.
Another recommendation I had for her was to speak to a graphic designer that I knew to get insights from the graphic design industry and the path she took in college. My daughter prepared several questions ahead of time to be able to ask Jordan, the graphic designer, and engage in a two-way conversation. Her questions included: why she chose the college she did, how she knew she wanted to pursue that major, job outlook, internship opportunities, and much more. This solidified my daughter’s focus on graphic design as a major she wanted to pursue in college. Hence, we began looking for colleges that had graphic design studies. She was glad to be able to pursue art, in a non-traditional sense, and felt like she would be employable upon graduating college with this degree.
The reason for sharing this story is that there is hope in encouraging undecided teenagers to explore opportunities they may not know exist in order to help them understand themselves more.
