Many applicants to the most selective university programs share high grades, high test scores, solid recommendations and generous doses of community service and volunteer activities. Yet, if they want to set themselves apart from the pool of exceptional students, a significant research experience in STEM or the social sciences helps.
The path to success rarely depends on selecting the right major.
Nor is a job assured by studying a given discipline. Nonetheless, when discussion of majors arises ‘be practical’ and study something ‘relevant to the workplace’ are constant refrains. Yet, what is ‘practical’ and ‘relevant’ in the workplace? The practical and relevant today might become dross in just a matter of years.
College is expensive. Over a hundred colleges (with UC Berkeley for out-of-state students among them) now cost over $50,000 a year, and the price keeps escalating at a 4-6% clip. Yet college can also be difficult and confusing. Only 30% of the students in public, and 53% in private colleges graduate in four years. Some students never graduate, while others have lengthy and expensive stays. There are a number of reasons students do not have timely graduations, but one that truly impedes progress is indecision over what to major in. Some sources report more than 80% of the students change their major after matriculating, with some changing majors 2 to 3 times. What then is a good method of determining your major?
Whether or not you decide upon a major prior to entering college, consider the following. Knowing these bits of information upfront should put your mind at ease about applying to a college 'undeclared.' Doing so does not sanction you as an indifferent, undedicated, or lackluster candidate; rather, you might be honestly searching. As J.R.R. Tolkien said, "All who wander are not lost." This is particularly applicable to those exploring potential majors.
