Major Myths

"What will you major in?" Does that all-too-familiar question send you into a panic?

Relax. You're still in high school, and you have plenty of time to choose a major. In fact, declaring your major early on limits the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity college offers: to explore different fields and discover ones you haven't even heard of yet.

Why do students worry so much about choosing a major? Unfortunately, there are a lot of untruths floating around. Here's your chance to compare myth to reality.

College is a waste of time if I don’t know what I want to major in.

In the case of most majors, you don't have to declare yourself until the end of your sophomore year. Until then, you can take courses in a variety of fields, earning general education credits that count toward your degree, no matter what you major in. As you take different classes, you’ll likely find a major you love.

It is true that many majors, particularly those not in the liberal arts, are packed with required courses that have to be taken in sequence. Starting one of those majors after your freshman year can mean that it will take you longer to complete your degree. However, you can often begin taking classes in the field before you formally declare your major.

Once I choose a major, I’m stuck with it.

Studies find that most students change majors at least once, and many switch several times before they settle on one. So if you’re not entirely sure which major is right for you—or even if you are sure—don’t pick a college only for its program in one major. Instead, consider colleges that offer a range of options. That way, changing majors won't necessarily require changing colleges, too.

To become a doctor or a lawyer, I have to major in premed or prelaw.

It might surprise you to know that majoring in premed or prelaw is impossible at almost every school. Instead, most schools offer advising programs—including not only premed and prelaw, but also preveterinary, prepharmacy, and more—that guide students through the process of preparing for and applying to professional school.

In addition to participating in one of these programs, you'll need to declare a major. As long as you fulfill the admission requirements, you can major in just about anything. In fact, professional schools often look for well-rounded students with diverse backgrounds.

Choosing one major means giving up all the others.

There are many ways to diversify your studies to include coursework in more than one major. You may be able to double major or choose a minor area of study, taking several courses in a field that brings something new and complementary to your major area of study.

Another option is the interdisciplinary major. These majors are organized around a theme, not a single subject area. Instead of majoring in Spanish, history, or literature, for example, you can major in Latin American studies and take classes in all three areas as well as political science, economics, anthropology, and more.

Liberal arts majors equal unemployment.

True, if you choose a major outside the liberal arts, you'll step onto a direct path to a career, learning skills targeted to a specific profession, such as engineering. But liberal arts majors build broad intellectual skills, such as reasoning and judgment, and practical skills in research and writing. This general training enables liberal arts graduates to adapt to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

I'll never find a major that fits me perfectly.

With hundreds and hundreds of majors out there, it's likely that you'll find one right for you. Even if you don't, there's still hope: at many colleges, you can design your own major. If you create an individualized major, you'll select a theme and then develop it with courses from a number of different traditional majors.

Will Shortz, crossword puzzle editor of the New York Times, did it: he majored in enigmatology, the study of puzzles, at Indiana University. Other examples of build-your-own majors include studies in humor, human diversity, sound, biomedical ethics, religion and art, and social justice.

The Truth About Majors

Despite all the anxiety surrounding majors, the reality is that you'll probably take only a quarter to a third of your college courses in your field of study. Career-oriented majors, such as business and design, are exceptions to this rule.

Starting college without having your major picked out isn't a bad thing. It's a chance to experiment. If something in the course catalog catches your interest, try it out. Who knows…that course in entomology could end up being the most fascinating class you’ve ever taken. It could even lead you to major in the field.