Some students enter college not quite knowing what to major in. They may have a general idea of what interests them, but are keeping their options open, just in case they fall in love with a specific career path. These students usually enter college with the words “undecided” or “undeclared” in the space where their major should be, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have a plan. Instead, it just means that they need to take the time to find a major they love, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to start off your college years as an undecided major, you’ll obviously have to select one that interests you. Here are a few tips that can help you make this important decision.
Choose a Program That Requires General Education Courses
The first thing that you should do is declare a major that requires you to take general education courses. Most liberal arts colleges include these classes, which range from electives in science, math, history, and more, in their four-year degree programs. This way, you can spend your first few semesters taking these classes and using them to determine what interests you. You’ll more than likely find that one or more of them will set you off on the path to a major. And even better, since these gen eds are required for all degree programs, you won’t be wasting any time by taking them.
Find a Versatile Major to Start Things Off
Next, you’ll need to find a major that’s pretty versatile. By that, you should ask yourself, what can I do with a degree in “insert subject here.” Some of these degrees, like those in business management, communications, and even the social sciences provide pretty versatile career paths. If you’re currently undecided, choose one of them since you’ll have plenty of options if you choose to stick with them throughout your entire four years of school.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Switch to a Major
It’s okay to spend some time as a major-less student, but you don’t want to do this for too long. After all, at some point you’ll end up running out of general education courses to take and may even have to spend an extra year or two taking classes before graduating because it took so long to choose that major. Make sure to give yourself a reasonable time limit, and stick to it.
Select a General Program That Enhances a lot of Skills
If you remain undecided, then consider choosing a general program. Some schools allow for a major in liberal arts or general studies, which includes a deeper dive into numerous subjects. You’ll emerge with a four-year degree that can be used for just about anything.
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FAQs
General studies is often the first choice for students who haven't yet chosen a major. This option allows you to take a number of different classes in various fields so that you can see which of them interests you the most.
What to major in when unsure? ›
Nursing, Education, and Social Work are a few examples. There are many major programs built on a more general set of skills that are applicable to a wide range of professions. Majors such as English or Communication will develop your strengths in writing, speaking, and creativity.
What should I major in if I don't know what to major in? ›
If you're not sure what you want to do after college, but still want to choose a major, consider the following:
- Psychology. ...
- Liberal Arts/Interdisciplinary Studies. ...
- Digital Media and Communication. ...
- Business. ...
- English. ...
- Biology. ...
- Computer Science.
Liberal Arts
You'll learn all the core skills necessary to transition seamlessly to other majors if you choose—things like analytic reasoning, research, communication, interpersonal, and critical thinking competencies. Liberal arts majors also have a lot of flexibility when it comes to coursework.
What is the smartest thing to major in? ›
Best College Majors Table of Contents
- Electronics Engineering.
- Health Informatics.
- Biomedical Engineering.
- Information Technology.
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Statistics.
- Civil Engineering.
- Social Science.
For most colleges, choosing “undecided” as your major will not affect your chances of getting accepted.
What's the most versatile major? ›
Most Versatile Degrees
- Business Administration.
- Communication.
- Business Management.
- Psychology.
- Sociology.
- Biology.
- Economics.
- Political Science.
One key sign that your major isn't right for you is that you no longer enjoy what you're studying. Obviously, college is a lot of hard work. Not every class, lecture, and semester will be a party. But you should be interested in and intrigued by at least some of the content you study.
What major is the most flexible? ›
On this page
- Business Management.
- Computer Science.
- Engineering.
- Finance (Accounting)
- Communications.
- Law.
- Marketing.
Business isn't just one of the easiest college majors — it's also the most popular major. Business students can strengthen their analytical and leadership skills while taking industry-focused classes. As a business major, you'll study core topics like accounting, management, and organizational behavior.
Check out the easiest college majors below:
- Humanities.
- Liberal Arts.
- Linguistics.
- Music.
- Psychology.
- Religious Studies.
- Social Work.
- Sociology.
The highest-paying major is engineering, which saw a 3.1% increase in projected earnings since 2023. Engineers design and build products, structures and technology systems. According to the BLS, architecture and engineering occupations earned a median annual salary of $83,700 as of 2022.
What is a good major if you are undecided? ›
Business administration is a versatile major that's handy for nearly any business job — marketing, accounting, finance, operations, economics, banking, and so many more. The wide array of college career options makes it an optimal choice for students unsure of what they want their working future to look like.
How can I make $100000 a year without a college degree? ›
9 jobs that pay $100K per year without a degree
- Information systems manager. ...
- Fire chief. ...
- Product manager. ...
- Senior engagement manager. ...
- Radiation therapist. ...
- Computer network architect. ...
- Senior real estate manager. ...
- Technical program manager.
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) degrees dominate the list of collegiate programs that lead to top-paying careers. While some bachelor's degrees in the humanities and social sciences don't typically offer high salaries, they can provide a foundation for a graduate degree and a more lucrative career.
What should I do if I'm undecided? ›
Reach Out to Mentors
This can help you find out what drew them to that major or field and see how that aligns with your own interests. Professors can help you understand what requirements you'll need to graduate and pursue career opportunities, and older students can share their internship and career experiences.
Do colleges look down on undecided majors? ›
Admissions boards understand how important this decision is. They also know their students, including incoming students, are likely to change their course of study at one point or another. So, there is no reason for a school not to accept an applicant solely because they are undecided.
Should I apply undecided or with a major? ›
If you have a competitive college concentration in mind, your academic profile – your GPA, in other words – will be key. If your high school GPA does not reflect your full potential and you would like to use your first year of college to correct this issue, it likely makes sense to apply as an undeclared major.
How do I choose what major is right for me? ›
HOW TO CHOOSE A MAJOR
- Know what you're truly interested in – and what you're good at. ...
- Talk to your advisor to learn more about your degree options. ...
- Consider program cost, career possibilities, and salary expectations. ...
- Explore your interests if you're undecided.
- What have you wanted to do since you were a little kid?
