Exploring Your Choices ... Choosing An Arts & Sciences Major

Selecting from among your choices:

Based on the findings of your self assessment, use the major assessment worksheet to assist you in evaluating your choices in the context of your interests, abilities, motivations, and values. You will find it easier to make a decision if you list only those things that you feel are specific to the major listed. Be sure to include as many pros & cons that you can identify, and do as thorough an evaluation of each major you are considering. Don't worry if some of your reasons fall into more than one category.

For example:

Major	Interests	Abilities	Motivations	Values
ART	Pros: I like drawing; I could spend a whole day in a museum; I plan to use choose a career that utilizes my artistic abilities.	Pros: I think I’m a creative person; my work has been admired by others; I can concentrate for long periods of time without getting tired or bored.	Pros: Personally satisfying; my work has been admired by others; being independent	Pros: Being able to do what I enjoy is very important to me; being in an environment where I have the opportunity to interact with others who have similar interests.
Cons: Enjoy some forms of artistic expression but not others; will extend my graduation date since I didn't decide earlier.	Cons: Sometimes it takes me a long time to develop a creative idea.	Cons: Paid internships are very competitive – may not be able to fund a volunteer experience on my own	Cons: Major does not offer as much opportunity for team projects as I wanted.

Major

Interests

Abilities

Motivations

Values

ART

Pros:

I like drawing; I could spend a whole day in a museum; I plan to use choose a career that utilizes my artistic abilities.

Pros:

I think I’m a creative person; my work has been admired by others; I can concentrate for long periods of time without getting tired or bored.

Pros:

Personally satisfying; my work has been admired by others; being independent

Pros:

Being able to do what I enjoy is very important to me; being in an environment where I have the opportunity to interact with others who have similar interests.

Cons:

Enjoy some forms of artistic expression but not others; will extend my graduation date since I didn't decide earlier.

Cons:

Sometimes it takes me a long time to develop a creative idea.

Cons:

Paid internships are very competitive – may not be able to fund a volunteer experience on my own

Cons:

Major does not offer as much opportunity for team projects as I wanted.

Download a blank choosing a major assessment worksheet (pdf version)

Remember that pursuing a first-choice major doesn’t mean you have to give up all other options. The degree requirements are flexible enough to allow you to pursue a double major, or a minor/certificate.

If you are having difficulty making a decision, make an appointment with an Arts & Sciences academic advisor to discuss your concerns. Once you have identified your major, here's what you need to do next.

Click here to navigate through the Exploring Your Choices website:

Created by Lynne Higa, Michael Kirk-Kuwaye, Dawn Nishida