Best Majors for Undecided Students

If you’ve started the college search process but don’t know what you want to major in, you are not alone. It’s been estimated that anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of students start college as “undecided” in terms of their major. What’s more, upward of 75 percent of college students change their major before they graduate. While it may seem daunting to begin college without knowing what major, degree, or career you want to pursue, this is a common starting point for many students. Keeping an open mind and carefully weighing your options can lead to positive outcomes down the road.

In this article, we’ll explore different strategies to help you use your “undecidedness” to your advantage and find the best major for you.

It’s OK to Be Undecided

Many mid-career professionals jokingly say that they still don’t know what they want to be when they grow up. But there’s probably some truth behind the jest. A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that individuals held on average more than 12 jobs between the ages of 18 and 54, with nearly half of those job changes occurring before the age of 25.

The bottom line: You’re going to hold many different jobs in your lifetime, and it’s OK not to have your career path figured out while you are searching for colleges or even when you start college.

Many colleges will allow you to specify your preferred major on your application, though it’s typically not required. It can be a mistake to specify a major before you’ve fully researched that major’s academic programs, requirements, and likely career options. Applying to college as an undeclared major can ultimately work to your benefit. It shows that you are curious and open to exploring the various opportunities that your college has to offer. And it is often the case that colleges do not require students to declare a major until the end of their second year, which provides you with ample time to explore your interests and gather more information before making such an important decision.

Finding Your Direction

If you’re wondering, "Can you go to college undecided?", the answer is yes. It’s OK to be an undecided student when you start your college journey, but it’s important to remember that the goal is to find your direction and ultimately get on track toward a selected major. You’ve got time to figure it out, but you should use that time wisely.

Some colleges have curriculums designed to help students experience a wide variety of different subject areas early on and throughout their college career, not only to help them explore different topics of interest, but also to ensure that—regardless of their major—students graduate with a well-rounded education.

That’s the hallmark of a “liberal arts” education. Liberal arts is a term that can easily be misconstrued, as it does not necessarily have anything to do with modern-day definitions of “liberal” or “arts.” Liberal arts colleges—in contrast to professional of vocational schools—emphasize a broad educational experience that enables students of all majors to gain exposure to a wide range of academic subjects. The thinking is that all students can benefit from a healthy balance of scientific and humanitarian studies—and that skills like critical thinking, communication, and teamwork are essential to student success in any field.

North Central College, for example, offers a general education curriculum called Cardinal Directions. The goal of the curriculum is to help students “chart their own course” while at the same time providing them with the map. Students can choose from a menu of “gen ed” courses on topics that include globalization, sustainability, innovation, and what it means to be human, among others.

The College states that: “iCon (or gen ed) coursework is complementary to a student’s major studies and provides a firm foundation in the liberal arts that is at the heart of a fine college education. At the same time, a student’s iCon will help them think about issues relevant to our world from different disciplinary perspectives and prepare them to engage with that world into the future.”

“The best return on your investment in a college education is not just your degree—although that’s certainly important—it’s fostering an appreciation for life-long learning and helping students find their path,” said Jeremy Borling, senior director of communication at North Central College. “That’s one of the many benefits of a school like North Central that’s grounded in the liberal arts tradition. We value the development of the whole person and provide students with the tools and opportunities they need to be successful in life.”

Work with an Academic Advisor

Most colleges offer academic advising resources, and whether you’re struggling to choose a college major or not, you would be wise to seek out their support and take advantage of their resources. These trained professionals are there for the sole purpose of supporting you and making sure you’re on track toward achieving your academic and life goals.

If you are having a difficult time narrowing down your specific major, an academic advisor can support you by helping you explore your interests, ambitions, and career goals. And once you’ve locked in your college major, an academic advisor can make sure you are taking the right courses to graduate on time and provide you with access to and information about additional resources like internships and career options that you might not otherwise be aware of. The bottom line is that your school has resources like academic and career advisors to help you get the most out of your college experience: use them.