Choosing the Right Major

**Oradi** · 01-03-09, 02:04 PM

I'm currently in my senior year of highschool and I have no idea what I want to do. I didnt try my first 3 years, and now that im trying my gpa has increased significantly. Only thing is colleges look at all four years gpa's which is the reason why im staying local. I have two main options right now, Penn State Behrend (about 15-20k), and Edinboro University(around 10k). There is also Gannon University but that costs almost 30k a year. I was thinking about getting into business as a universal major but I'm still very undecided. I'm not the best at math and complex science equations, that seems to be my only negative side. Any suggestions as to where I should go and what I should study?

Thanks for deciding the rest of my life internet forum.

**scuba_steve** · 01-03-09, 02:06 PM

If you dont know what you want to do, I would take a year off and work until you decide. Otherwise its a waste of time and money.

**Cojiro** · 01-03-09, 02:24 PM

if you plan on going to college but just havent decided on a major go to a community college and get your AA while you think of what you want to do.

**CivilWars** · 01-03-09, 03:32 PM

You can get most of your core classes out of the way the first couple of years until you decide what you want to do. Most people change majors, and some multiple times. As for taking a year off I tried that, and I am now 33, and have never been back.

**DJ Ms. White** · 01-03-09, 04:30 PM

Definitely find a college that you think you could stay at for four years. You should have plenty of GERs (General Education Requirements) to get out of the way while you decide what major actually will interest you. Hell, I almost wish I had done that it's a bit late for me to trade out my ME degree for Nano degree. Thank God, I picked up the Physics one.

I really do recommend speaking to the professors or taking a class that looks like it could interest you. I added the Physics major after taking Phys 201 with the head of the physics department. I think about 5 others decided to go double at that time, too, and it was all because of that one professor.

**Cleric** · 01-03-09, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by scuba_steve

If you dont know what you want to do, I would take a year off and work until you decide. Otherwise its a waste of time and money.

I wouldnt suggest this. I mean alot of people do this and nothing is wrong with it. However, if you find a job and start making money, the urge to go get an education dwindles. My cousin did this when he first got out of high school...ten years later he is just now starting to go to college. Think about what you enjoy doing...fixing cars, helping people, etc. Itll come to you.

**rock_lobster** · 01-03-09, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by scuba_steve

If you dont know what you want to do, I would take a year off and work until you decide. Otherwise its a waste of time and money.

Not necessarily. Your first year, you can get away with not having to take any major course related classes. Generally these are your "Intro To's" classes, like College Algebra, English Comp, and maybe a science class (most likely a Biology course).

I will say this, I am an accounting major, and don't think that it is all math. A lot of law and memorization of rules and ratio's are involved. The only math involved accounting, is simple addition, subtraction, multuplication, and division. Everything else you can get from a chart.

Another note. If you are going into something other than a Business related major, be prepared to go for your master's.

**Lefty** · 01-03-09, 09:39 PM

There are some good comments here and maybe a little BS.

Don't worry about going to the "same" school for 4-5 years.

First, go to a local college (make sure the hours are transferable to a state schools) and get in your core classes. Saves you and/or your parents a lot of money. Nobody really cares where you graduated from or how long you went there, unless you go into politics, trust me.
Talk to professors, people, PARENTS, and others to find out what is really out there (simply put, at your age, you don't know much)
Do something you enjoy, and that you are good at. Why? You will be competing against others with the same stats you have,
True for any profession you choose, if you like what you do, you will be happy and most likely be good at it, that's your edge over the competition.
And yes, its ok to be a teacher, not much pay but a lot of personal rewards.

On the other side, there are many professions that do not require college, a degree is not for everyone and not everyone that has a degree is $$ wealthy.

Law enforcement, Firefighters, Electricians, Plumbers......

Someone will say Plumber? yea dip, who do you think owns the local pluming company you just paid $400 to fix your toilet, and accountant?

Remember, do what you enjoy and what you are good at.

Good Luck

BBA Accounting - CFO

**Panic** · 01-03-09, 10:10 PM

scholarships, there are 15712893617515^e15 scholarships out there, no doubt your school has a listing for you

**Angellmajick** · 01-03-09, 10:24 PM

I was so close to going to gannon when i went to school. If you are going to pay that much for a school though, you better know what you want and be ready to do it...

If you know you want to go for college for sure, then go to a state school or community college and know out the basics.

I went to college for computer science and 1 year away from graduation ended up changing my major because I found something I was happier with. Ended up only having to put in an extra year to walk out with another degree since so much of college is the core classes.

Then if once in your field, if you find something more specific that you want to do, well, there is always grad school. If you know business is something you want to do then look at what schools have good business stuff, but don't limit yourself. A lot of times taking the gen ed classes can open a door for you that you might not have known about.