It’s that time of year! By the middle of Spring semester, several months into the academic year, students may find themselves reflecting on the year they’ve had and wondering if this is the path they want to continue on. For some students, this means weighing the option of changing your major. If this is something you’re considering, here are some things to think about:
- Reflect on why you want to switch your major – Are you uninterested in the content of your courses? Are you pursuing a different career route? Are there more opportunities available in a different major? These are great reasons to switch, as it would be a disservice to yourself to spend your time in a major not relevant to your goals. Ask yourself questions like these to discern what your primary reason is for switching. The next step is to identify what you are interested in pursuing. While you may have acknowledged that your current major isn’t for you, it is important to have a direction by the time you are ready to make the logistic commitment in order to ensure you graduate on time. (Keep in mind financial aid only covers four years, so be sure to take this into consideration if this is a factor for you)
- Talk to students in the major – find out what their career goals are and what they like and dislike about their degree program, and take these factors into consideration before making your decision.
- Logistically, figure out what’s required – it’s relatively simple to change your major while staying within Human Ecology, a form from the Registrar and a couple of signatures are all it takes. But, keep in mind that if you’re planning to move to a major in another college, you’ll have to submit a full application as if you were applying to Cornell externally, which means you can be rejected. However, transferring to a different college is not impossible. Speak with advisors in your desired college about ensuring that you meet the transfer requirements, and be sure you have a backup plan just in case you are not accepted. (**Tip – Even if you are rejected from your transfer school, sometimes arrangements can be made to enroll in other distribution requirements so you to earn credit toward the major even without core courses requirements. Work with professors and advisors to let them know your plans, and they can help you set up a feasible plan and support you along the way of your application.
- Compare curriculum requirements – You can find a complete list of every course or category requirement that the major requires you to complete on the college’s website. Comparing the major you’re considering switching into to your own, and reflecting on the content of each program as it aligns with your desired topic of study will help you decide which is more appropriate for you. Additionally, it provides a practical glimpse of the difference in the type of work that is required in each major. (**Tip – browse Cornell’s course roster to see which courses have been offered recently and how often they are taught, as classes can come and go with professors.)
Remember that there is nothing wrong with pivoting your direction, even if it is not the path you expected to take! Take time to take steps closer to finding your career in stride, and remember that there is no “right” decision. Talk to upperclassmen and faculty, and enjoy the journey!