So I’m set to start as a freshman at University of Rochester in the fall, but I’m pretty scared because I hardly have a clue of what course path I should start to head down when I build my schedule next month. I have an idea of what I don’t like (math heavy subjects, pre med, engineering, liberal arts, etc.). Right now I’m looking at environmental science but I think it might be a waste of time because it’s such a “lite” science and I can’t see myself outside of an office for the rest of my life. Economics is also another possibility. I sort of want to work as a consultant or analyst of a sort and eventually want to get into law or politics, but I want to get an undergrad degree in something flexible, but extremely marketable. Sorry, I know this post is kinda all over the place.
Don’t you have at least a year to decide exactly what you want to major in?
@philbegas Technically, but I really don’t want to waste any time in getting all my required classes. I know someone who took their time to make a decision and ended up taking an extra year to finish their degree. What ever I end up doing, I want to finish in four years definitely.
Right, but if you try to take a variety of classes during your general education requirements that might give you a better idea of what sort of stuff you want to work with for a career.
First of all, not having your major all figured out before you’ve even graduated high school doesn’t mean you’ll have to take an extra year. Unless you wanted an engineering major (which you don’t), with most majors you can choose in your freshman or even your sophomore year and still graduate in four years. So relax; you’ve got a little bit of time.
Second of all…what do you mean you don’t like “liberal arts”? Both environmental science and economics are liberal arts and sciences majors (which is what “liberal arts” is short for). The University of Rochester is a liberal arts university that will offer you a liberal arts education.
What is a “lite” science? Environmental science is simply an interdisciplinary field of science that draws coursework and approaches from the other scientific disciplines. As an environmental sciences at URochester, you’ll have to take biology, chemistry, calculus, physics, and geology, and your upper-level environmental sciences classes will build upon those courses (e.g., hydrology incorporates chemistry and physics). And many people with environmental science majors may work in an office most or all of their days, depending on what they do.
Economics is math-heavy, especially the kind of economics you need to become an analyst and be “extremely marketable.”
You can get into law or politics and be a consultant or analyst with a wide variety of majors, especially coming from some place like URochester.
Instead of thinking about what you don’t like, why don’t you discuss what you do like? What subjects did you enjoy in high school? What kinds of books or articles do you like to read? What kinds of television shows are you into? What things do you enjoy doing for hobbies? Thinking about your interests will at least help you narrow down a broad idea of possible majors.
The sort of more traditional majors for people interested in consulting or political careers and that are offered at URochester are business; economics: financial economics; health, behavior, and society; health policy; history; international relations; philosophy; political science; or statistics.
Rochester has a very open curriculum. D goes there and she’s one of the few among her friends who have NOT changed their majors or added additional majors or decided to try a new minor or two. Flexibility and exploration are part of the Rochester DNA from what I can see. Take your first year to start some of your clusters and take basic courses that you are probably going to need (like stats or calc or general bio). Believe me, you will not be the only one there who changes majors during your first couple years there.