Choosing a College, Major and Career

College

What do you want in a school?

Before you explore and compare different schools, first decide what you're looking for in a school. Ask your parents to do the same thing. Then compare your answers and come to some agreement as to what you want in a school. 
Search for a school that fits you well academically, socially and culturally:

• Athletic offerings
  
• Campus safety
  
• Campus setting (urban, suburban, small-town or rural)
  
• Diversity of student population
  
• Extracurricular organizations and events
  
• Faculty experience and expertise
  
• Financial aid availability and deadlines
  
• Geographic location
  
• Housing availability and cost
  
• Length, time and location of classes
  
• Number of students enrolled
  
• Percentage of graduates employed within one year
  
• Percentage of students who graduate
  
• Percentage of students who return the following year
  
• Programs of study, majors, and course selection
  
• School facilities and equipment
  
• School or program reputation
  
• Student-to-faculty ratio (class size)
  
• Support services (meals, counseling, job placement)
  
• Transportation availability and cost
  
• Tuition and fees
  

If you're still having trouble deciding, ask yourself:

• Why do I want to go to college?
  
• What do I want to get out of college?
  
• How will college help me work toward my goals?
  
• Which college will best/least help me work toward my goals?
  
• What are the advantages/disadvantages of going now rather than later?
  
• Does it matter how many students are enrolled with me?
  
• Do I want to be with students who have diverse ideas, viewpoints and backgrounds?
  
• In which type of campus setting am I most/least comfortable.

Don't eliminate a school solely because it's outside your comfort zone. The challenge of dealing with the unfamiliar can help you grow as a person.

Major

What do you want to major in?

Don’t worry if you’re not ready to answer this question. It’s OK to take your time and explore your options. 

A major is a specific subject area that students specialize in. Typically, between one-third and one-half of the courses you’ll take in college will be in your major or related to it.

Major FAQs:

• You have plenty of time to choose a major, both before and after you enroll in college. At most colleges, you don't have to choose a major until the end of your sophomore year.
• You can change your major, in fact, most students change majors at least once, if not several times.
• You can choose more than one major and/or minor to diversify your studies.
• There are hundreds of majors available, so you’ll probably find more than one that’s right for you. And if you don't, you should know that many colleges let students design their own major. 

Ten questions to consider:

1. Are you willing to work hard for the knowledge you'll gain in this major?
2. How much will you enjoy the daily activities of students in this major? Do classes emphasize discussion? Lecture? Problem-solving?
3. Do the typical course titles sound interesting?
4. How much do you enjoy the high school courses recommended for students who want to choose this major?
5. How important to the major are skills in math? In reading? In writing? In research?
6. How specialized is the major? Will you learn a lot about a little or a little about a lot?
7. Is the major interdisciplinary? Will you use a wide range of academic disciplines to study a particular topic?
8. Is this a career-oriented major? Will it prepare you for one or more specific careers or will it give you a chance to build general skills that you can use in any number of careers?
9. Can you see yourself in one or more of the listed related careers?
10. Which degree do programs in this major usually award?

Career

Which Jobs Are Right for You?

Deciding what career you want to pursue is exciting. But because there are so many career paths it can be hard to choose.  How do you decide which to choose, or even where to start?  Following the steps below can help you explore the possibilities. You’ll gain more than a better understanding of various jobs; you’ll also learn something new about yourself.

1. Think about what you love.  What classes have inspired you?  What activities keep you so involved that you don't even notice how much time has passed?
2. Identify defining experiences. Think about 3 experiences that taught you something about yourself or gave you great satisfaction.
3. Create a self-portrait.  Write down a list of 10 qualities that describe your personality.  Ask your friends and family to name some of your qualities.
4. Consider your strengths and weaknesses.  Make a list of your five top strengths and weaknesses. What sorts of employers would be interested in your strengths? If you’re a good public speaker, for example, explore what types of careers call for that skill.
5. Explore Careers.  What do accountants  or project managers really do? What opportunities will there be in the future for pharmacists or athletic trainers? Imagine yourself in different roles.