| u’ve picked a school (college or technical) | | | | Some majors will not allow you the time to |
| but what are you going to study? I’ve | | | | devote to a second major (often called |
| compiled a list of things to consider when choosing | | | | comprehensive majors.) Be informed and be |
| an academic major. | | | | prepared to work! |
| Level of interest: Do you enjoy the subject? You | | | | Check out survey and introductory courses in a |
| are more likely to be successful if you enjoy your | | | | variety of programs. These courses will be more |
| major. If it bores you, you will likely be | | | | general and give you a better understanding of |
| unmotivated and may suffer academically. | | | | what to expect from the program as a whole. |
| Do you have a natural talent/skill? Don’t | | | | Remember, you probably are not going to like |
| discount any natural talents or skills, instead, let | | | | every single class or topic in your major. I had a |
| those skills guide you to success. | | | | friend who loved cost accounting but hated her |
| Possible careers? What sort of job will your | | | | tax accounting class. |
| degree prepare you for? Will you need additional | | | | Browse the course catalog. Read the |
| schooling to achieve your career goals? Is your | | | | school’s handbook regarding the |
| major geared toward one particular trade (for | | | | differences in requirements for an |
| example; engineering or accounting) or can you | | | | Associate’s Degree, a Bachelor’s |
| apply it to many careers (Majors such as English, | | | | of Arts, Bachelor’s of Science, |
| history, psychology that teach marketable, | | | | Bachelor’s of Fine Arts, etc. These will |
| non-trade specific skills such as reasoning, critical | | | | each require a different set of courses. Also, |
| thinking, writing and communication)? | | | | check your school’s general education |
| What are the requirements? What courses and | | | | requirements. These are often a set core of |
| how many will you have to take within the major | | | | courses every student must take in order to |
| as well as supplementary courses outside your | | | | earn their degree. Check for overlaps and |
| major (i.e. accounting students take courses in | | | | conflicts with your major. Some departments |
| marketing, economics, and business as well as | | | | won’t give credit for certain courses in a |
| specific accounting courses). Does the program | | | | major that were used for general education |
| require a minimum GPA for admission and | | | | requirements. |
| retention? Will you need a minor? Will you be | | | | Use your advisor. These people know the ropes. |
| required to complete an internship or a co-op | | | | They are there to help you navigate the system. |
| program? | | | | If all of this is overwhelming (and don’t |
| Prerequisites. Are there specific courses you must | | | | feel bad if it is) relax! If you have an advisor who |
| complete prior to engaging in major specific | | | | just isn’t helping you, see if your school |
| courses? (Prerequisites are often lower level | | | | has a set of general advisors set up for |
| introductory courses that establish a basic set of | | | | undecided students. These counselors will often |
| knowledge that will be referred to and built upon | | | | have access to information about general school |
| in subsequent classes.) For example if you wanted | | | | topics (deadlines, procedures) as well as tools to |
| to major in psychology you would most likely be | | | | help you find information regarding specific degree |
| required to take a course introducing theories, | | | | programs. If you already have a major but are |
| models and major researchers in the field. | | | | unsatisfied with your advisor, consider asking for |
| Evaluate the instructors. How qualified are the | | | | a reassignment. Often this can be done in the |
| teachers? Where did they go to school, what sort | | | | department office. |
| of degrees do they hold, where have they | | | | Talk to other students. They can often provide |
| previously worked or taught and what have they | | | | insight and experience that will be beneficial. An |
| published? Find out about reputations from other | | | | upperclassman can be your best friend when it |
| students as well. Is a certain professor notorious | | | | comes to figuring out the system. Not only do |
| for being rigid or difficult? A good relationship with | | | | they know the best places to eat, but they might |
| an instructor can benefit you when you begin | | | | know the best places to buy and sell books, the |
| applying to graduate schools or jobs and you | | | | best advisors and the best teachers. |
| need recommendations. | | | | Don’t be afraid to change your mind. In |
| Program reputation. Does the program receive | | | | the long run it’s better to spend an extra |
| national attention? What do graduates think of the | | | | year or two in college than to be miserable or |
| program? What sort of jobs do alumni hold? | | | | regret your decisions. People change their majors |
| Are you considering a double major? A double | | | | all the time (I changed mine 3 times.) and while |
| major can be a huge undertaking. This can be | | | | it’s a big decision, it is only a piece of the |
| fruitful but you will need to be more organized | | | | larger puzzle. |
| when planning class schedules and picking classes. | | | | |