Senior Dana Kathrins came to GW without a declared major. The introductory courses in speech and hearing science, sparked her interest and after a dean's seminar in the subject and a sign language course, Kathrins was hooked.
Choosing a major can be one of the most stressful experiences of a college student's academic career. Incoming freshmen typically fall into two categories: one student knows exactly what they want to major in and the other has absolutely no clue. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, said Landon Wade, director of advising for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
"Coming in knowing exactly what to major in gives you a little more direction in looking for courses, but those students still need to come in with an open mind because…the hallmark of an educated mind is the ability to change it," Wade said. "Coming in with a declared major and holding to it hard and fast without entertaining any other options would do the student an injustice."
About half of incoming students declare a major by the end of their freshman year and the rest usually declare by fall or spring of their sophomore year, Wade said.
Further complicating the quest for a major is the fact that programs vary in size and quality at each school. The desire to specialize in an intricate field of study may leave students worried about the type of academic experience they will undertake.
Kathrins said one aspect of the speech and hearing sciences department that drew her to her major was the close-knit community. The department is relatively small, but growing each year, she said.
"Since the size of the department is relatively small, there is ample opportunity for students to seek help from the professors and to get involved in the career," Kathrins said.
Jim Fry, director of academic advising at the Elliott School of International Affairs, said most college students change their majors at least once, and whether one chooses a major before arriving at school or after is often inconsequential. The benefit of attending a university is the wide variety of choices and the ability to accommodate change, he said.
Choosing a major can be one of the most stressful experiences of a college student's academic career. Incoming freshmen typically fall into two categories: one student knows exactly what they want to major in and the other has absolutely no clue. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, said Landon Wade, director of advising for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
"Coming in knowing exactly what to major in gives you a little more direction in looking for courses, but those students still need to come in with an open mind because…the hallmark of an educated mind is the ability to change it," Wade said. "Coming in with a declared major and holding to it hard and fast without entertaining any other options would do the student an injustice."
About half of incoming students declare a major by the end of their freshman year and the rest usually declare by fall or spring of their sophomore year, Wade said.
Further complicating the quest for a major is the fact that programs vary in size and quality at each school. The desire to specialize in an intricate field of study may leave students worried about the type of academic experience they will undertake.
Kathrins said one aspect of the speech and hearing sciences department that drew her to her major was the close-knit community. The department is relatively small, but growing each year, she said.
"Since the size of the department is relatively small, there is ample opportunity for students to seek help from the professors and to get involved in the career," Kathrins said.
Jim Fry, director of academic advising at the Elliott School of International Affairs, said most college students change their majors at least once, and whether one chooses a major before arriving at school or after is often inconsequential. The benefit of attending a university is the wide variety of choices and the ability to accommodate change, he said.
