Exploring Careers

College Majors

What should I major in?

This is a common question that plagues the minds of high school students and those of us in college, too! Time rushes forward. College is almost before us, especially for our rising seniors. However, underclassmen must consider what they want to major in as well. The classes you take, clubs you join, and programs you participate in—they should be tailored to fit the major/career you want to pursue. Colleges want intentional students who have foresight into their dreams and goals.

So, let’s explore majors.

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Already have a potential major in mind? Delve into this website and see what careers it’s connected to: What Can I Do With This Major?

Speak to current undergraduates or alumni who have studied the major you are interested in. Use LinkedIn or Your College Contact to reach out to specific students who are majoring at your desired colleges. Further, on LinkedIn, you can glance at their Experience section to see their career progression. This will give you an idea of the extracurriculars you can partake in that match your intended major.

Take community college classes that interest you. This may help you discern whether you’d like to continue studying it in the future. Learn more about CC classes here: Dual Enrollment. Speak to your counselor for information on your specific programs.

Check out the institution’s Major Catalogue. Read descriptions, glance at the course requirements, and listen to student testimonials. Claremont McKenna College has a robust major catalogue that allows students to dive deep into different majors: Academics: Departments, Majors and Programs.

Harvard University, Stanford, and other leading higher education institutions offer free online courses that anyone can access. Taking these may help you decide if your major is the right one for you. Here are the 9 top universities offering free online courses.

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Colleges & Universities

How can I decide which college to go to?

This video, How to Choose a School | How to College | Crash Course, can help you decide! Don’t be tricked into researching only the name-brand colleges, like the Ivy Leagues or the UCs. Lesser-known schools such as the Claremont Colleges, which is only 40 minutes north of the Discovery Cube, are comprised of amazing institutions that know exactly how to support their students.

🎓 Top 10 Factors to Consider When Choosing a College

1. Majors and academic programs offered

2. Cost, financial aid, and scholarships

3. Location (city, distance from home, climate)

4. Campus culture and student life

5. Diversity and inclusivity

6. Class sizes and teaching quality

7. Housing and dining options

8. Career support and job/internship opportunities

9. Clubs, organizations, and extracurriculars

10. Overall fit — does it feel right to you?

Speak To Current Students!

To get unfiltered, genuine information about what a school is like, talk to the students. The information presented by the schools themselves is always cherry-picked; they can skew your perception and cause you to make the wrong decisions about which school to go to. Pratik Vangal talks about this in his video, How to Choose the BEST College for You (what actually matters).

To connect with current undergraduates, you can use these platforms:

1. Your College Contact

2. LinkedIn

3. Instagram

Reach out to the institution’s admissions office! They will always have resources for prospective students and connect you with student ambassadors.

Higher Ed Institutions At A Glance:

✅ Community College – Affordable, flexible, great for starting out or transferring later.
📚 Liberal Arts College – Small classes, well‑rounded education, strong student–faculty connections.
🔬 Research University – Large, lots of majors, great for research and grad school prep.
👔 Technical/Vocational School – Hands‑on training for specific careers (auto, medical coding, culinary, etc.).
🏛️ Public State University – Affordable (especially in‑state), many majors, lots of resources.
💼 Private University – Specialized programs, smaller classes, strong alumni connections.
🎨 Specialized School – Focused on one area (art, design, music).
⚔️ Military Academy – Education combined with service and leadership training.

The Claremont Colleges

As a student of the Claremont Consortium—specifically Claremont Mckenna College—I just had to plug this in. The Claremont Colleges are a group of seven highly respected schools located in Claremont, California. They’re known for their unique model: each college is independent but shares resources like libraries, dining halls, clubs, and classes. Students can take classes at any of the other schools.

🎓 The 5 Undergraduate Colleges (The "5Cs")

1. Pomona College

   • Oldest and most selective

   • Strong liberal arts focus

2. Claremont McKenna College (CMC)

   • Known for government, economics, and leadership

   • Emphasizes real-world impact and public affairs

3. Harvey Mudd College

   • STEM-focused (science, math, engineering)

   • Combines technical education with the humanities

4. Scripps College

   • Women’s college (cis and trans women + nonbinary students)

   • Focus on interdisciplinary humanities and leadership

5. Pitzer College

   • Progressive and socially conscious

   • Emphasizes social justice, environmentalism, and student autonomy

Together, these schools form a tight-knit but diverse academic community with over 9,000 students total and shared access to clubs, sports, and dining across all campuses.

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