Steps to Take in Choosing a Major

1. Look through the Dickinson Bulletin.

        • Read about the various majors 
        • Read about the classes offered for each major

2. Take at least one course in the major in which you are interested.

3. Talk with your current Academic Advisor or a Career Counselor. 

        • Ask: Is this major a good match with my interests? 
        • Ask: Is this major a good match with my academic strengths? 
        • Ask: Will I be able to meet the requirements for the major?

4. Talk with faculty members in the department.

        • Ask: What is the structure of this major, what do I need to do? 
        • Ask: What is this major about? 
        • Ask: Will I be able to go abroad my junior year?

5. Talk with students currently in the major.

        • Ask: What is interesting to them about the major? 
        • Ask: Do they have any suggestions as far as electives in the major?

6. Contact alumni

        • Ask: Did studying this major influence their career? 
        • Ask: If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?

7. Talk to the Chair of the Department

         • Ask: Besides course requirements, what are some other requirements 
        • for the major (ie. an internship, community service, research project) 
        • Ask: Are there concentrations or thematic focuses within the major? 
        • Ask: Who would be my advisor? 
        • Ask: What other courses and/or majors related to this major?

_{Adapted from the Worksheet for Major Declaration Decision from the Academic Advising and Registrar’s Offices.}