Deciding on a Major Part 1

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Some students are very clear about their passions and know exactly what they want to major in from the very beginning of college. The majority of students, however, are not so certain. What can help you to decide on a major?

A sea of choices

There are thousands of occupations from which to choose, many career assessments to jump start your ideas and frequent listings of top 10 careers or hottest jobs. But there is no specific test that will tell you what to be when you are older or what should be your major! Many students initially choose careers that open up job opportunities that pay very well. But it’s not all about the money.

While earning power is a consideration, it is more important to find a career that you love to do, that is right for you and that you can’t believe you are getting paid to do! Your values and what you deem important in life will ultimately play a role in your career satisfaction. Especially important for students with disabilities is to choose a major in which your strengths will be utilized on a regular basis and a major that allows you to compensate for less important skills that are not as strong. These considerations will maximize your chances for success.

What is a major?

A major is an area of study that allows you to build knowledge and skills around a specific subject or specialty area. To earn a degree in a particular major, each college requires certain courses and course credits and may provide choices for predetermined electives. These established programs are often based on national or state accreditation standards in order to guarantee that graduates are proficient with identified skills and knowledge. Most majors also require general education courses such as English, science, social sciences, math, etc.

College Transfer, In Reverse

This is something interesting about transfers…

Research by Sara Goldrick-Rab and Fabian T. Pfeffer (Sociology of Education, April 2009) using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study indicates that approximately one third of traditional-aged college students transfer from one college to another within eight years of high school graduation. Only 6 percent transfer from community colleges to four-year colleges, while 15 percent will “reverse transfer” from four-year colleges to community colleges. According to the authors, reverse transfers are more likely among students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you are properly prepared and you’ve planned out what you want this is less likely to occur.

Why take AP Classes?

If you’re planning to go to college and your high school offers AP classes, you should take advantage of the opportunity. The successful completion of Advanced Placement classes has benefits during both the college application process and undergraduate life. Below are six of the biggest advantages to taking AP classes.

1. Impress College Admission Counselors

At nearly every college in the country, your academic record is the most important part of your college application. The folks in the admissions office want to see that you’ve taken the most challenging courses available to you. Success in difficult courses is the surest sign of your preparedness for college. The most challenging courses, of course, are college-level Advanced Placement classes.

2. Develop College-Level Academic Skills

AP classes require the type of high-level calculating and critical thinking that you’ll encounter in your first year of college. If you can write essays and solve problems successfully for an AP class, you’ve reached the level of many of the skills that will lead to success in college.

3. Save Money

If you take enough Advanced Placement classes, you can potentially graduate from college a semester or even a year early. Early graduation isn’t always a good idea, but for a student who isn’t receiving financial aid, it can save tens of thousands of dollars...

4. Choose a Major Sooner

AP classes can help with your selection of a major in two ways. First, each course provides an in-depth introduction to a specific subject area. Second, a high score on an AP exam often fulfills one of a college’s general education requirements. This means you’ll have more room in your schedule to explore different academic fields early in your undergraduate career.

5. Take More Elective Classes in College

Not only do AP classes help you zero in on a major sooner, but they also free up your schedule so you can take more elective classes (college classes that are not required for graduation). For many students, a college’s general education requirements and major requirements leave little room for fun and exploratory classes. If you want to take that interesting class on glass blowing or dance, AP credits will make it much easier to fit the course in your schedule.

6. Add a Minor or Second Major More Easily

If you’re particularly driven and have multiple interests, AP credits can make it more feasible to add a minor (or two) or even a second major to your undergraduate academic plan. With a standard work load and no AP credits, you might find it impossible to complete the requirements for two majors in four years.

Another Option for the Not-so-bright Students

In our push to educate the country’s youth and prepare better workers, leaders, and individuals for the future of America it may be possible that we send too many students to college. Let me explain… Everyone should be able to go to college if they desire. And there are plenty of colleges that will take even those with not-so-great test scores and GPAs. But is that in the best interest of the student?

Look at some basic statistics: Among the bottom quarter of high school students (those with below a 2.6 high school GPA and 850 SAT), only 20% graduate from college, even if they’re given six years!

And among those in that bottom quarter who defy the odds and do graduate, they’re rarely at the top of their class. So, with today’s economy and an oversupply of degree holders looking for jobs, that group of bottom quarter graduates must often settle for a job they could have gotten without college. Think about it, don’t you know many degreed people who have non-professional jobs?

Colleges broadcast the statistic that college graduates earn more over their lifetime, but that doesn’t always apply to the bottom quarter in the same way it would for an Honors student. Yes, life is not fair. They would likely earn more if they chose one of the post-high-school options I’ll suggest tomorrow.

Of course, college isn’t just about career preparation. As colleges often remind us, it’s about enhancing the life of the mind. Unfortunately, the bottom quarter (and many other students) don’t experience such loftiness. Too often, students are bored by professors’ esoterica and confused by their theories. And then there’s advanced math courses like calculus (required for some majors). What the bottom quarter typically does receive is an ongoing assault to self-esteem and a lot of student debt.

I’m particularly concerned about colleges’ non-disclosure of the above to low-achieving minority students. In colleges’ eagerness to diversify, they admit, and even woo, minorities with poor high school records. This deception will just (in many cases) decrease their chances of success and happiness.