In The A Center, we serve thousands (yes, thousands!) of freshmen and sophomores every year. Why? Because choosing a major requires research and reflection. Explore yourself and your options so you can make the most informed decision.

You can major in anything and go on to medical school or law school so long as you complete the prerequisite courses. In 2017, the most accepted major to medical school was English! Law schools have fewer requirements, and want you to choose an academic path that suits your interests. They will teach you how to understand and argue the law when you get there. Professional schools are interested in the skills you acquired from your major, not the label it carries.

It is true that some occupations require that you pick a specific major: Want to be an accountant? Yes, study Accounting. Most of the time, however, the relationship between majors and careers is much more dynamic. Most majors relate to jobs only as much as you want them to. For example, a student pursuing a Psychology major may choose to enter a psychology-related field, such as counseling, but they could also choose careers in event planning, entertainment, non-profit work, or advertising, for example. Here's the thing about college: It is not a vocational school, teaching you how to do any one specific task. College is about becoming educated, learning about the complexity of the world around you, learning to communicate ideas, and taking part in research and discovery. These skills are what employers looks for in their employees.

Most students take the same types of classes during their first two years of college: General Education courses. These courses are required of all students regardless of major. If you're worried about being behind in your first two years, meet with your academic advisor to get a sense of what is expected of you during those first four semesters. If you have a specific area of interest in mind, we will assist you in selecting classes toward that interest.

You are the one earning the degree- your values, your academic strengths, and your interests are key. You may seek input from your support network, but the decision is ultimately YOURS. When you research major and career options, you will feel more confident explaining to your family why your picks are the best choices for you!

Instead of thinking about what major is the best for you, think about making an informed decision. There is no perfect fit. There may be classes in which you struggle or classes you don't like that are required for your major, but that's okay. What matters is that you enjoy the majority of your coursework.

Yes, it is required that you declare a major before you transfer to the University of Arizona; however, The A Center is here to help regardless of where you are in the process. We recommend reaching out to us before you transfer to discuss major exploration, but you are also welcome to meet if you need to discuss options after you transfer, too.

We recommend having at least two advising appointments per semester with your advisor. If you are in your first semester at the university, we even recommend three! In addition, if you are a pre-health or pre-law student, we recommend meeting with those advisors at least once a semester.

Throughout the first-year we provide programming to assist in the major exploration process, including registration workshops, Meet Your Major Fair, and Major Declaration Day. Our events are designed with your major exploration journey in mind!

In the spring semester, first-year students in The A Center are encouraged to participate in a Major Exploration Program. This could include taking our major exploration course, SERP 197P, visiting the Life Lab on campus, participating in a job shadow, or taking an introductory major course. Our advisors will assist you in the fall semester to pick a program that works best for you—or even create your own program!