How to Choose Your College Major

Key takeaways:

• You should choose a major that fits your passions, strengths, and career goals.
• Asking the right questions, job shadowing, and taking courses that interest you can help you explore potential areas of study.
• Students typically have to choose their major by the end of their sophomore year.

Choosing a major is a big step (and decision) in college! Knowing what you want to study now can help you find the best schools for you, too. But with literally hundreds of majors out there, it can be difficult to decide. To help you choose a major, we recommend considering your strengths, interests, weaknesses, and dream careers while also exploring your options through electives, job shadowing, and volunteer work.

What major should I choose?

This question is only one you can answer, but here are some ways to narrow it down and find the right area of study for your goals and dreams!

Ask these questions

You might find these questions answer the bigger question of, “What major should I choose?”

• What are my career goals? If you have a specialized field or career you want to pursue, choosing a major is an easier decision. For others, you might need to research the best areas of study for your dream job.
• How much education is required for my dream career? Some careers require only an associate’s or bachelor’s – others need a master’s or doctorate. You might need to take specific majors or prerequisites to get into graduate programs, too. For example, you should follow a pre-med track if you want to be a doctor.
• What’s important to me? If you’re not sure about any one career, consider what matters to you: studying/working in a field that interests you, earning potential, job outlook, stability, or something else?
• What are you interested in? Are there any subjects that have consistently held your interest? Think back over the years to what’s fascinated you and what you’ve done in your free time.
• What are my strengths? Where have you excelled in the classroom and out? Classes or extracurriculars that play to your strengths could point to the perfect major.
• What are my weaknesses? Be honest with yourself about where you excel and where you don’t. If you consistently struggle with math even with the help of a tutor, a math-based major – such as biology or economics – may not be the best route for you.

9 additional tips

If you don’t know the answer after asking those questions, these tips can help you further:

1. Educate yourself on the majors available. There are more majors to choose from than many realize. Some schools even offer areas of study unique to their institution or allow students to design their own concentration.
2. Talk to your advisor. Schedule a meeting with your high school guidance counselor or college academic advisor to discuss your interests, goals, and majors. Your parents or other trusted adults might have some good ideas, too!
3. Visit your college’s career services. Schools’ career services departments can help you navigate potential jobs that fit you and identify the best major to enter that field.
4. Try job shadowing. Even if you have a career already in mind, job shadowing lets you see what a professional does in the job on a daily basis. Many positions we see in media are glorified and not what it’s actually like. If you can’t shadow a career, try talking with a professional in the field instead.
5. Take courses that interest you. Sometimes finding the right major for you is all about finding the right class. You have plenty of room for electives – sign up for courses that call to you. You might find the perfect area of study and career in one of those rooms.
6. Review your ACT report. If you took the ACT, the report suggests some majors and careers the ACT thinks would be good for you.
7. Compare majors and careers. Write down a list of majors and jobs you’re considering. Compare projected job growth, daily responsibilities, salaries, and more to get the bigger picture on all of your options.
8. Take advantage of school programs. Some colleges have dedicated programs that help students identify areas of study that fit them.
9. Get involved. To further explore potential careers, try signing up for internships, part-time jobs, research projects, or volunteer work. You could discover the job you love in one of these positions.

When do you have to choose a major?

Most students have to choose a major by the end of their sophomore year or the beginning of their junior year. However, there are some exceptions.

Some competitive programs, such as film or engineering, require you to declare your major during the application process as they require secondary applications. You need to be accepted to the school and the program in order to enroll.

Other colleges might prefer you choose your major as soon as possible. Knowing what you want to study while you’re in high school can also help you narrow down potential schools.

What if you change your mind?

Your major is not written in stone. Many students actually change their major after a year or two at school. It’s okay to change your mind, even if you declared a major when you applied to the school. To change your major, start with a meeting with your academic advisor. It may be a simple switch.

However, there can be some restrictions. For example, you won’t be able to enter those competitive programs without a separate application (if they allow you to apply at all).

In addition, not all colleges have all majors available. If you’re an English major wanting to change to Zoology, the closest option might be Biology. You then have to make a choice: do you want to stay in English, major in Biology, or transfer to a school that offers Zoology?

For other students who change their major, there might be some overlap. Switching from Marketing to Finance, for instance, is not as drastic as English to Zoology. There are even likely classes you took that are required in both areas of study.

However, changing your major is a big decision. Carefully weigh the pros and cons. In some cases, switching can require you to take longer than four years to graduate with a degree but if you dislike your current field, it may be worth the extra time.

Declaring your major is an important step in your education – and it can be extremely stressful. In most cases, it’s okay to be unsure, especially early on. Take your time to carefully weigh your options, interests, strengths, and weaknesses before choosing.

Still not sure about your major? Our College Major tool helps you search and learn about hundreds of different areas of study!