Your college years are a time to discover new interests and define your passions. So it’s no surprise that plenty of college students realize that the major they declared at the start of their higher academic career isn’t the right fit.
At Remitly, we’re here to support you in your higher education. Whether you’re a legacy, first-gen immigrant, or international student, our goal is to ensure that you feel informed and empowered about your academic journey.
The good news about developing new interests during your time at school is that it’s totally possible to change your major. In the American school system, it’s often a smart move to use the flexibility of college programs to hone in on what you’re really passionate about.
Yes, you can change your major
In the US, your college or university admission is generally unrelated to your major of choice. This means that once you’re admitted into a school, you can usually study whatever majors they’re offering. Typically, students have to declare a major by their junior year or third year of academic study. This means you’ll have about two years to explore different subjects.
Many schools in the US have general requirements that you can use as survey courses to explore your interests. These classes are usually taken by all students during the first and second year of school. Some “liberal arts” schools in the US promote a broader view of education, offering a variety of required subjects and actually encouraging development across different disciplines.
In some cases it’s more difficult
Although there aren’t too many exceptions to the norm of being able to change your major, some do have more specific requirements. These are typically STEM majors like pre-medicine or engineering. If you’re even slightly interested in these majors, it’s a good idea to start working on their requirements earlier rather than later to see if it’s the right fit for you.
If you feel that you’re going to change your major, in general the earlier you do so the better, since it leaves you with more time to focus on the requirements of your new major.
Why students change their majors
There are plenty of reasons why you might change your major. What you’re interested in when you’re seventeen or eighteen years old and entering college might change or shift. On the other hand, your decision to change majors might be motivated by external factors.
Realizing a subject isn’t what you expected
College programs are more specific and in-depth than in high school. So, students realizing a specific subject isn’t exactly what they expected happens more often than you might think—if it happens to you, you certainly wouldn’t be the first or only person.
This realization may also happen through conversations with professors and teaching assistants, or maybe your internship experience showed you something you didn’t enjoy about the professional world you’d been considering.
Knowing what you don’t like is often just as good as knowing what you do like. If you realize that a subject isn’t for you, talk with your professors and advisor. Be honest about what you don’t like or what you’ve found surprising and they can help guide you in the right direction.
New passions or career goals
There’s so much to explore on US college campuses. Not only do students have access to a breadth of different academic subjects, but there are also plenty of extracurricular opportunities. These can go way beyond what you’d typically experience in high school. So college presents the perfect opportunity to develop new passions or career goals.
If you’re finding yourself incredibly interested in a particular subject, see if there’s a major or program related to it and follow your passion.
Responding to real-time feedback
Plenty of external factors can provide feedback that might lead you to change your major. For example, changing economic conditions and job market situations might mean you see an opportunity in a field that didn’t look as attractive earlier.
This can also happen the other way around, of course—in a world where tech is changing everything so fast, the job you had in mind might look like it will be in much less demand by the time you’ll graduate. If that happens, it’s time to change direction.
Then there’s the classes themselves. They can also be far more demanding than your previous academic experiences. Many students, after chatting with their tutors and finding that it was too challenging even with their school’s support, end up changing their major.
How to change your major
Regardless of your reason for wanting to change, it’s certainly possible. If you’re thinking about it, here are the steps you should take.
Talk to your academic advisor
The first person you should talk to if you’re considering changing your major is your academic advisor. They’ll be able to assess your situation and ask the right questions to determine your best next steps.
They’ll also be able to help you approach the decision logistically by comparing your credits from the courses you’ve already taken against the requirements of your new major. Your advisor will help you understand your options, and the impact your decision will have on your graduation timeline.
Review degree requirements for new major
Some majors require extra math, science, or elective courses. Alongside your advisor, review the requirements of your new major and determine how long it will take you to complete the necessary credits.
Officially request to change your major
If you’ve considered your options and feel that a change of major is right for you, you’ll have to officially request the change. This is typically done through the office of the registrar. Each school has its own process for declaring or changing your major, but you can often do it online through your student portal or in-person at the registrar’s office.
Update your plan
Once you’ve officially changed your major, add or drop courses to align with your requirements. You’ll want to shift electives and core courses as needed to ensure that you’re earning the credits necessary to graduate.
Effects on graduation and financial aid
Changing your major is usually not a big deal. However, there are some potential implications that you should always consider before making any big decisions in university.
Graduation
Most students have the goal of graduating in no more than four years. Changing your major might add time to your study, but not always. Consider the requirements with your advisor and map out each semester of study, ensuring that you’ll be able to take all the required courses in the time before graduation. Many credits will transfer between majors, especially if they’re closely related.
Financial aid
In the US, financial aid is typically dependent on your status as a student and the timeline, not your major. So, if you continue to be enrolled full-time in the university and are within the time limits of your financial aid package, you should not see any disruption in your financial aid or scholarships.
Your advisor will be able to guide you around the topic of financial aid, however you can also ask directly at the office of financial aid about any implications of a change in major.
How to talk to your family about changing majors
When you’re ready to change your major, you may feel nervous about telling the people closest to you, including your family. Be honest and open about your motivations for the change. Be clear about your new plan and demonstrate your ability to complete the new major. Remind anybody who discourages you that happiness and success often come from finding the right path.
The first steps on a new path
So, can you change your major in college? Yes. And doing so does not indicate any sort of failure. Instead, it shows you’ve identified what you’re good at and passionate about. Use your campus support systems and trust your instincts.
Thinking about switching? Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor—it could be the first step to a more fulfilling future.
FAQs:
Is it bad to change your major?
No. There are no negatives to changing your major and plenty of successful people have changed direction during their studies. What’s important is that you’re studying what’s right for you.
How late can I change my major?
Most schools allow you to make changes up to junior year or your third year of university. However, it’s typically best to make changes as soon as possible. But it’s never too late to choose the right path!
Will I lose credits if I switch?
No, however, the credit requirements for your new major might be different. This may mean that you have to spend more time in school or take a heavier credit load in order to fulfill the requirements of your major.
Can international students change majors?
Yes, but you should consult your advisor to ensure that there are no visa issues associated with making the change.