How to Choose a College Major in High School

Summary:

Choosing a college major in high school helps students explore academic interests, understand career pathways, and make more confident college decisions. This guide walks students and families through practical steps, tools, and pre-college resources to support thoughtful major exploration.

Key Points:

• High school students can explore college majors through real-world experiences like pre-college courses, enrichment programs, and mini-projects.
• Early major exploration helps students research careers, understand admission requirements, and reduce pressure later in college.
• Exploring majors early does not lock students into a path, but helps them make more informed decisions.

Choosing a college major can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re still in high school and the future feels wide open. But exploring majors now can reduce stress later, help you make smarter academic choices, and even strengthen your college applications.

Whether you're a high school student trying to figure out what comes next, a parent supporting your teen’s goals, or a school counselor guiding students through college prep, this guide breaks down how to choose a college major step-by-step, plus the best resources and pre-college programs to help.

Why Choosing a College Major Is Important

Most students don’t discover their major overnight. In fact, many college students end up changing majors multiple times. Starting your research of college majors earlier offers many benefits, including: 

• Clarity about academic and career interests
• Confidence in selecting colleges that fit your goals
• A competitive edge in college applications (especially if you can show subject exploration or academic initiative)
• Less pressure once you’re on campus

Exploring majors in high school doesn’t lock you into a single path. It opens doors and helps you make informed decisions.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Choose a College Major 

Below is a practical roadmap for discovering the major that fits you best.

1. Start With What You Enjoy — and Why

Think about your favorite classes, activities, and hobbies. Ask yourself:

• Which subjects do I naturally excel in?
• What projects or assignments energize me?
• Do I prefer working with people, technology, ideas, or hands-on tasks?
  Example:
  If you love biology, volunteering in hospitals, or health science TikToks, you might explore majors like pre-med, psychology, neuroscience, or public health.

2. Explore College Majors Through Real-World Experiences

One of the best ways for high school students to explore college majors is by trying them out in low-risk, hands-on ways.

You can explore majors by:

• Taking online pre-college courses
• Joining teen summer enrichment programs
• Shadowing professionals
• Taking elective classes or dual-enrollment courses
• Watching credible video guides for college prep
• Completing mini-projects at home (projects help you move from “I think I like something” to “Here’s a sample I made and learned from)

Pre-college programs are especially valuable because they let you experience college-level work while learning from faculty at top U.S. universities.

Some areas you can explore include:

• Business
• Engineering
• Pre-Med / Health Sciences
• Law
• Psychology
• Fashion / Design
• Communications
• Social Sciences
• Finance

3. Research Careers & Job Outlooks

Once you have a few ideas, research what careers tie to those majors.

Great resources include:

• U.S. Department of Education
• College Board BigFuture
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
  
  Look up:
• Day-to-day responsibilities
• Required degrees
• Future job demand
• Salary ranges
• Skills needed

This helps you see whether a major aligns with your long-term goals.

4. Check the Admission Requirements for Related Majors

Some majors have specific prerequisites, especially in STEM or health fields.

Use resources like:

• Common App 
• NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling)
  Look for:
• Required high school courses (e.g., calculus for engineering)
• Required materials for college application
• Recommended extracurriculars
• Direct-entry or pre-major pathways

Planning ahead ensures you’re eligible for the programs you’re most excited about.

5. Make an Informed Decision

After exploring different subjects, completing hands-on experiences, and researching career paths, it’s time to narrow your options.

Here’s how to make a confident and informed choice:

Narrow down 3–5 possible majors

Focus on the subjects you enjoyed the most and felt most connected to through coursework, pre-college programs, or mini-projects.

Compare college programs

Use tools like the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard to evaluate:

• Graduation rates
• Average salaries after graduation
• Campus Diversity
• Tuition and financial aid
• Test Scores and Acceptance

Discuss your options with someone you trust

Talk with a parent, school counselor, teacher, mentor, or advisor to gain perspective. They can help you weigh strengths, long-term goals, and which majors align most with your interests and future plans.

Top Online Pre-College Programs You Can Explore

Explore majors through university-backed online learning in areas like STEM, business, communications, law, finance, design, and medicine.

• Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program – Law, International Relations, Politics & Government, etc.
• University of Notre Dame Pre-College Online Program  – Business, Psychology, Medical Research, etc. 
• Rice University Precollege Program – Aerospace, Engineering, Economics, etc.
• Harvard Medical School Pre-College Online Certificate Program – Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Becoming a Doctor, etc.
• Dartmouth Precollege Online Program – Entrepreneurship, Regenerative Medicine, Law, etc. 
• Parsons Paris Online Courses For High School Students – Fashion Design, Building a Brand, Sustainability, etc.
• Northwestern Pre-College Online Program – Psychology, Business, Physiology, etc.
• William & Mary Pre-College Online Program – Entrepreneurship, Constitutional Law, Medicine, etc. 
• University of Rochester Pre-College Online Program – Biomedical Engineering, Orthopedic Medicine, Video Game Design, etc.
• Case Western Reserve University Pre-College Program – Astrophysics, Engineering, Neuroscience, etc.
  
  Taking a course from one of these programs is a powerful way to test your interest before declaring a major in college.

Common Pitfalls When Choosing a College Major (and How to Avoid Them)

Pitfall #1: Choosing Based on What “Sounds Impressive”

Instead: choose based on genuine interest and long-term fit, not pressure from peers or perceptions of prestige.

Pitfall #2: Ignoring Emerging Careers

Instead: use resources like the BLS to explore fast-growing fields such as AI, data science, biotechnology, and sustainability.

Pitfall #3: Rushing the Decision

Instead: explore broadly first, then narrow your focus.

Pitfall #4: Thinking You Must Decide Before College

Instead: remember that many students start “undeclared”. Early exploration just gives you a head start.

Your Next Steps for Choosing a College Major

Choosing a college major is a journey, not a single decision. The more you explore now, the easier it becomes to choose a direction that excites and inspires you. Ready to explore majors more deeply? Check out our pre-college course offerings. These courses are flexible, online, and taught by world-class universities, making them one of the best ways to understand what you want to major in before you apply to college.

Last reviewed by Ashley Simmons on 1/12/2026.