Selecting an Undergraduate School/Major
Now that you’ve decided on a career in science, how do you go about
selecting an undergraduate school and major?
Selecting an Undergraduate Major
It is not unusual for undergraduate students to change majors more than
once during their years in college. However, the sooner you can identify
the field that you would like to study, the better off you are in terms of
class work and years in college.
You should be proactive in your search for a major. Don’t just select
a major based on what all your friends are doing. That way you will have a
degree in a field about which you are excited.
Here are some ideas to use as you are trying to decide on a major at
the college of your choice.
- Look for majors that sound interesting
to you. Find out what courses are required for that major. Find out what
some of the elective courses are in that field. Talk to the faculty in
that major about the field and careers available to you once you
graduate.
- Search on the web for related information about particular
subjects that interested you.
- Talk to your high school counselor about what they see as your
strengths and interests based on your coursework and test scores.
- Talk to people in the Career Center at the college. There are
often both individual and group career counseling sessions available as
well as a wealth of other resources.
- Talk to your family and friends to get their perspectives on your
talents/interests.
- Take a class or two in
that major to see if you are enjoying the subject matter.
- If you plan on continuing your education in either a professional
or graduate program, concentrate on those majors that will provide you
with a strong foundation for applying to such a program.
Selecting an Undergraduate College
When you are considering which colleges to apply to and then which
college to attend, you need to consider the following things:
- Should I attend a large or small college?
- In what area of the country do I want to attend college? Do I want
to be in a large city or small town?
- Do I need small classes or are large classes better?
- Are the courses taught mainly by professors or graduate students?
Does that matter to me?
- What type of career do I want? Does the college have a good
program/department in that area?
- In what type of extracurricular activities am I interested? Does
the college offer those activities?
- What is the tuition/expenses for each college? Are there financial
aid programs or scholarships that will help if I need them?
- What are the living arrangements for students? Will they meet my
needs? (Dorm or apartment? Transportation needed or not?)
Here are some sites that might be of use to you in this decision as
well as when you enter into your undergraduate years:*
The
Big Choice
Choosing a College. Prentice
Hall Student Success Super Site
EduPass
For the international student wanting to study in the US, but good
articles and resources for others, including “Choosing a
School”
Essay Advice
Bookstore and library for undergraduate colleges and resources
Journal of Young Investigators, Inc.
Peer-reviewed undergraduate journal with articles on research and
careers
Quintessential
Careers
College, careers, and jobs guide, including a page just for those
planning on attend college
Peterson’s
Information, tips, and
articles dealing with search and selection of the right college
*APS does not endorse or assume responsibility for the information
posted on these web sites.
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