Throughout the college search process, you've probably been thinking
about your areas of interest—where your talents lie, your strengths and
weaknesses, what you enjoy doing. Although you may not have to declare
a major during the first semester of your freshman year, you should
have a good idea of what you'd like to study. What you decide to study
will play a role in determining where you study. Many colleges offer a liberal arts program of study, which integrates material from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Colleges that offer liberal arts studies to students during their first years of higher education focus on exploring society, literature, and communication. Through a well-rounded curriculum, students acquire a basic understanding of social and individual behavior and learn to communicate in other languages and across cultures. A liberal arts degree appeals to students who may not have one specific area of interest but who want to have variety in their studies.
Other institutions offer students a more direct educational track that focuses in on one subject of study. Some general education courses will be required during the first two years, but courses will be tailored to a specific major. Many of the engineering-related fields—computer software, chemical, and mechanical, for example—are approached in this manner. These programs are usually intensive and require a strong commitment to the major.
