Choosing a Major

Often, students enter college with little to no idea of what discipline they will pursue.  Some enter Loyola with an intended major in mind.  The student may announce this "intended major" on the application for admission, and their degree audit reflects their choice.  However, Loyola does not allow students to formally declare their major until the end of their freshman year, and with good reason.  Freshman year is intended as an exploratory time for both those who are still searching for an academic passion as well as for those who believe they made up their minds in high school.  One of the chief roles the Core Advisor fulfills is that of an academic counselor.  As such, students should seek to ascertain what their interests, values, and learning styles are. The Core Advisor and the Career Development and Placement Center can also assist students in developing their interests within an academic discipline.

 This list of questions and resources may guide students in recognizing their interests:

1. If you go into a bookstore, what sorts of books do you look at first?
2. What are your chief interests?  More importantly, why do you think these are your chief interests?
3. When do you feel most yourself?  When are you happiest?
4. What talents do you have?
5. In what sorts of classes (lecture, discussion, labs) do you feel you do best?
6. What role do you want college to serve in your life?
7. Why do you think Loyola has a core program?
8. How do you think a liberal arts school is different from a University, and why did you choose a liberal arts school?
9. What is the role of education?
10. How is picking a major similar to picking a career?  How is it different?
11. What do you want your life to look like in 20 years?
12. What do your parents do, and what do you think about their occupations?

Many majors require that students begin taking specific foundation courses early in their program.