Selecting Your College Major: Why Choosing a Major is Important

Some high school students may find it surprising that colleges request they choose a major during the application process. At this stage, they still might not have figured out their favorite extracurricular activities, let alone what they wish to study for the next four years. However, there are benefits to choosing a college major early. In this article, we discuss how to choose a college major in high school and the benefits of selecting one early.

What Is a College Major?

A college major is your specific field of study throughout your four undergraduate years. As a college student, you will immediately start working toward completed classes for your specific major. This means that many admissions officers will request you list your intended major on the college application. With that said, a college major isn’t permanent and there’s typically a two-year timeline (freshman and sophomore years) that you can change your major.

The top five most popular college majors in the U.S. are:

• Business
• Health Professions
• Social Sciences and History
• Engineering
• Biology and Biomedical Studies

Why Do Colleges Request a Major on the Application?

Colleges typically request that you choose a college major on your application in order to give you enough time to choose your first semester courses after being accepted into the university. Using the timeline of regular college acceptance, with May 1 as the standard decision date, you have three months to choose your courses before the beginning of your first semester. While you might take general elective courses during your first and second years, the requirements for a major can be vastly different depending on the major or department you choose. Choosing a major early on helps you decide which courses are appropriate at the start of your college experience.

Why Choosing a Major is Important in High School

Choosing your major early may allow you to graduate from college sooner. As mentioned, different majors have different course requirements in order to graduate, and depending on the field of study you decide on, you may need to start taking those required courses sooner. For example, a business major may require courses in economics and statistics, whereas a fine arts major may require courses in art critique and geometry. A significant benefit to choosing a major early is the ability to complete your courses within a three- to four-year timeframe. Students who change majors part way through their undergraduate years may have to take additional classes in the summer or during an additional semester.

How to Choose a College Major

While you may be inclined to list any type of major on your college application and hope to figure out your preferences later on, you can begin to start planning for a college major before the end of your senior year. By taking an honest look at your interests, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as trying multiple fields of study, you may be able to make a lasting decision.

No. 1 Consider Your Passions and Interests

The old adage “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” rings true to your college studies and career beyond. Your passions and interests will play a significant role in the major you decide to pursue, as you may want to utilize those interests later on in adulthood. For example, if you find science concepts intriguing and enjoy solving math problems, you might consider becoming a scientist or engineer. If math isn’t for you and you love to write, then consider a major in journalism or marketing.

No. 2 List Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Just as essential as your passions and interests, you can also think about what you’re good at. For example, while you may find scientific concepts interesting, you may dislike working on math equations, which can eliminate some areas of study within the sciences. It’s important to find a balance between what you like to do and what you’re good at. Start by writing two separate lists of what you’re good at and your interests and see if there is any overlap in the two lists.

No. 3 Take College Courses in High School

One great way to find out what college courses you’ll enjoy is through advanced placement classes. You might have an opportunity to take college-level courses in high school, which will offer firsthand experience into your future life as a student on campus. It may also help you decide which classes you think are more valuable or aligned to your goals.

No. 4 Get Involved in Activities Outside of Class

The best way to learn about your interests is to try as many different activities as possible during high school. Extracurricular activities, such as writing for the school newspaper or literary magazine, can help you hone your writing skills, while participating in a student organization like the student government or attending a high school leadership program may pique your interest in politics.

No. 5 Apply for a Pre-College Program

A pre-college program is a college-level course that typically takes place during the summer. These courses last between a few days to a few weeks and can give you the opportunity to live on campus and experience college life before submitting your applications. Some students participate in specialized programs based on their interests, such as screenplay writing or STEM subjects. However, there are also options for general studies as well.