<p>I'm fairly new here and still learning but I have a question about choosing a Major. My daughter is still in High School and a Sophmore so we have a lot of time. I've got her to write down a list of 15 Colleges she'd like to apply to. My wife thinks that before she tries to figure out what college she wants to go to that she should figure out what she wants her major to be first. </p>
<p>What are your thoughts on the subject? Do/Did you choose a school first and then figure out what you wanted to major in or did you choose the major and figure out what school was best for your major? Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>I suppose it depends on the kind of school she's looking at. Some are very major-dependent, where you apply to a specific undergraduate college based on your major (e.g. U of Michigan, Notre Dame). Others (Case Western, Dartmouth) are virtually completely open to change in majors, and what you put down on the app for a major has little to no effect on chances for admission. The examples I gave above were just the extremes I encountered in my college application process--I have no idea where/what type of school your daughter is considering.</p>
<p>As you can see from my location, I prefer the latter :D</p>
<p>JNox, Welcome! Unless your daughters area of interest is very specific like engineering or very obscure like Bulgarian Studies, I would recommend that she choose the colleges first and focus on he major later. </p>
<p>Most colleges of all sizes, both large universities and small liberal arts colleges, have respectable departments in all the usual suspects like English, History, Psychology, Biology, French etc. Some have renowned departments; some areas are less well funded, but just about all offer the full range of liberal arts subjects. Plus, it is VERY common for kids to change their majors or add second majors in the course of their college career. </p>
<p>Id recommend focusing on the type of college that best fits your daughters personality and learning style: large/small, urban/rural/suburban, coed/womens, liberal/less so, Greek/no Greek, sporty, artsy, political etc. If she has an activity or a sport that shes involved in make sure it is offered on campus. </p>
<p>In the general category of college type she could find maybe 20-25 choices covering various levels of selectivity, reach/match/safety. From that wide range she can then narrow the list down to the next most important factor on her wish list: e.g., major, geographic location etc. Overtime, with more research and visits, the list will continue to be revised and refined to about 10-12, which again should represent a variety of selectivity.</p>
<p>Id also suggest that you read the thread titled I need college 101 for more ideas on how to get started. Its a complicated process, but as you said you have lots of time, so enjoy the ride!</p>
<p>I also see value in keeping options open as to major, even if you feel quite certain of your plans. DS, for instance, plans Engineering. We counseled and he agreed that he focus on broad-based universities rather than tech-focus schools (MIT, CalTech, WPI...), so that it would be easy for him to change his mind and move over to Business, Arts & Sciences, etc.</p>
<p>This plan is not valid for eveyone, but worth thinking about.</p>
<p>I, for one, would not worry about major in selecting a college, other than to guess at a number of possible fields of interest and seek schools which offer programs in all. Then "sample" and decide after matriculation.</p>
<p>My S has a very specific major in mind (Senior-apps are out now).Not all colleges have the major.We researched the major through the national accrediting organization that has a helpful website with a college-with-the-major listing.From there, we eliminated schools based on his preferences..ie geographic,size,etc.We then made a master list and delved into more details.
We're aware kids change their minds about majors,his S already did.So we were careful to choose a list where he would be happy even if he changes his mind..it did knock one or two off the list.Then he researched by attending a summer program in the major at one of the U's on the list,and picking the brain of the professor in charge of the summer program (also teaches there during the academic year).At the last minute,last week,S knocked one school off the list while working on the app,because he said he couldnt see attending school in that location.Hopefully the final list will work out as S thinks he can be happy at all of them.
We had been through a similar process with older D who was a music performance major.Sometimes the major interest is so specialized that you have to work from the major to the school,or you have a geographic concern..for example we know students who were given parameters by their parents..for example..no more than a 4 hour car ride away.
Good luck on your search.You are starting at a good time.Make some general visits to nearby campuses..they'll help you see if certain criteria attract your D..like urban,rural...or large,small.</p>
<p>Some kids KNOW what they will major in. With my son, for example, it was either mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. Such certainty made it easy to pick schools that meet the requirements. He didnt even bother visiting schools, saying he'd visit if he got accepted in more than one place.</p>
<p>My D had a wide range of interests, from writing to linguistics to foreign languages to photography to theater. She wanted a school with a wide set of basic requirements--to help her explore--and wide strengths. She visited about 15 schools (some more seriously than others). She visited first to decide what kind of campus she wanted (small, big, rural, urban, etc.) and then later got more specific about her search. </p>
<p>Setting parameters for the search is very helpful. You can do that with a choice of major (for kids who "known since they were three") OR with geography, finances, campus style, sports facilities, SAT scores, etc. Both of my kids started with the same ground rule: no schools that had ever appeared on a "top ten party school" list. Beyond that, they did their own narrowing. My son narrowed quickly and easily; my D took 8 months of intense discussion and visiting (despite adding her own requirement: must accept the Common App).</p>
<p>In an ideal world, it would go in this order: pick a career, pick a major, pick a school. However, most 16-18 year olds don't have that kind of focus & clarity. Of those that do, most will likely change their minds in any case. So my advice would be to attend an academically challenging school where a broad variety of programs are offered, so hopefully they can decide on a major sophomore year and go from there.</p>
<p>I've told this story here before: since second grade, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. I went to a college specifically for their excellent agriculture program. I am now happily practicing dentistry (on humans).</p>
<p>Thanks to all for your inputs. From what you all have descirbed, this is pretty much what I was thinking as well. Especially like audiophile stated above and my daughter really has no idea what she wants to do yet. She has been kicking around being a photo journalist but my guess is that will change many times. Thanks again for the advice!!! I love this board and am not nearly as worried about her going to college after getting better informed from the board.</p>