Students

Identify What You Want

If you're not sure where to start, begin by thinking about yourself and what you want by answering the following questions:

  • What courses have you most enjoyed? Why? (e.g., Professor, subject matter, etc.)
  • What type of work do you enjoy? (e.g. papers vs. problem sets, abstract vs. empirical, etc.)
  • What courses have you performed the best in academically?
  • What qualities are you looking for? Think about class size, ease of getting to know professors, the variety of courses and off-campus programs available to you.
  • Why are you considering particular majors? Do your motivations come from your interests, abilities, and values, or from other factors?
  • Consider the balance you want to find among what you enjoy, what you consider your strengths, and what you believe useful in making a decision about what to major in.
  • What values and principles guide your life? Will those values match the requirements and outcomes of a potential major or career?

Narrow Your Choices

So you've got a general idea of who you are or what you want, but now you need to focus down a bit. Think about some of the following questions:

  • Do you find yourself looking more at certain departments when you browse the ORC? Which ones? Write down the courses you'd like to take in the future.
  • Have you taken classes in all the departments you are thinking about? (If not, you should do so.) Have you taken non-introductory courses? List those that you have enjoyed the most.
  • Which professors or courses have you enjoyed the most so far?
  • Make a list of all the possible majors and departments you have considered. How do these programs match up with the qualities you mentioned above?

Arriving At A Decision

When your list has been narrowed down to a handful or fewer, try to follow these further suggestions to make a final decision.

 Step 1: Identify your major. Some things to consider if you aren't yet decided:

  • What topics do you enjoy learning about?
  • How do you like being evaluated in the classroom? (Papers, projects, exams, etc.)
  • Opportunities within the major (Off-campus programs, research, etc.)
  • Take a look at upper-level classes in a few major departments. Which classes are you most interested in taking during your time at Dartmouth?

Step 2: Go to major department website, read through the major information, & download the major worksheet (if available).

Step 3: Identify the courses you will be taking each term toward the major to the best of your ability.

  • This is your BEST guess as to what classes you will complete toward your major.
  • Many academic department websites have a tentative list of future courses available.
  • You may also look on the ORC to find trends of when classes have been offered: http://dartmouth.smartcatalogiq.com/en/current/orc/Departments-Programs-Undergraduate.
  • Choose courses you are interested in and assume they are offered in the same term each year – you can re-submit your major plan to reflect updates!

Step 4: Use The Sophomore Year guide to learn who gives pre-major advice in the department you are seeking to major in. It is always a good idea to talk to a professor about your major plan and interests within that major. 

Step 5: Read through how to declare a major on the Registrar's website: DartWorks - Declare a Major/Minor

  • Consider the special features of each department, such as FSPs, LSAs, seminars, special research opportunities, etc.
  • Make sure your D-Plan matches up with the courses you might need or want to take.
  • If you still can't decide between multiple majors, you may want to consider double-majoring or doing a major and a minor.

Still Lost?

  • Go visit your faculty! Just drop in or make an appointment to talk with professors you have connected with or the heads of departments you are interested in.
  • Think about the activities you are involved with and speak with other members of those groups to see if your academic interests might match up.
  • Research majors at Center for Professional Development and find out what former students have done with majors in different departments.
  • Dialogue with people you trust about your interests and passions and how they might align with possible majors.
  • Consider a Senior Fellowship.

Resources

 

Office of the Registrar

Office of the Registrar

Undergraduate Advising & Research

Undergraduate Advising & Research