How to choose the right college major: Ivy League admissions advice

How to choose the right college major: Ivy League admissions advice

While this site focuses primarily on elite college admissions, I’ve occasionally posted on broader topics, including how to choose the right college. These were pretty well received judging by the emails I received, so I’ve decided to continue writing more about the college life.

A topic of huge importance to incoming freshman is how to select the right major/degree. It has many future implications that most high school students simply don’t know.

The wrong major can:

-Drastically limit your career options and career choices (try going into finance with an English degree) -Drastically restrict your flexibility with choosing different courses that you are personally interested in

Most of all, IT CAN BE BORING! You may not like the classes, the professors, the students…and then spend the next 10 years of your life regretting not choosing that really cool-sounding major back in freshman year.

Now on to picking the right major. Here’s what you should seriously think about.

It’s important to discuss these things with your parents too. Most of what they say has a lot of value, even if you don’t realize that yet.

1. Think about what kind of JOB you want to have

If you want a career in business…choose a social science major (eg, economics) or engineering major (eg, computer science)

If you want a career in engineering…choose an engineering major (duh)

If you want a career in medicine or research…choose a science major

If you want a career in journalism and writing…choose a liberal arts major

Some of these are obvious. The point is to think beyond 4 college years to the rest of your life.

What job would make you happy? What career would fulfill you? What do you love to do now, that can be translated into a paying job?

2. Think about what type of personality you have

Are you outgoing? Computer science may not be for you…

Are you detail oriented? Engineering, math, and economics might be great majors…

Are you artsy/creative? Try creating your own major, or try an interdisciplinary major

The point is to think about how you work best. If you like numbers, gravitate towards an analytical major. If you like writing, gravitate towards a humanities/social sciences major.

Focus on your strengths - the last thing you want is to be in a major you’re not very good at, which will only make you more miserable.

3. Plan out the next 4 years and create a LIST OF GOALS

Some of you already have. Some of you may think that’s ridiculous and too much work. I don’t care - you should do it if you want to be smart.

Do you want to study in Italy/France/China? Pick a major that gives you flexibility to do that

Do you want to minor in Art History or Photography? Pick a major that overlaps with those or gives you room to take extra classes

Do you want to spend a summer working as an investment banker? Pick a major that helps you with recruiting and marketability for those types of jobs at Goldman Sachs

The point here is that beyond your major, you have other goals in college. Think about what those goals are, and figure out the majors that will allow you the room, time, support, and skills to achieve them!