Some students arrive at Tufts knowing what they want to major in, but many more spend the first few years exploring their options.
What is a major, anyway? Your major is an area of study that you focus on while pursuing your degree. Somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of the courses you’ll take in college will be in your major or related to it.
No matter your major, it’s all the courses you’ll take combined that will provide you with experience exploring issues, ideas, and methods across the humanities and the arts, and the natural and social sciences. You will learn to think critically and communicate effectively both in writing and speaking.
It’s not the major that gets you the job. Employers are most interested in the skills, abilities, knowledge and character traits you develop throughout your education experience – both inside and outside the classroom!
You can always speak with a career advisor if you feel confused about how your major may impact your future career options.
Your choice of major does not dictate your career choices. Unless you are planning to enter a technical field, such as engineering or accounting, you can obtain the skills necessary to succeed through any of the 100+ majors offered at Tufts. In addition, taking the time to explore different careers will enable you to make better decisions when applying to internships, job opportunities, or graduate schools.
Resources for Exploring Majors
Myths About Majors
Reality: Employers are more interested in your skills and experience than in any specific major. Liberal arts graduates are valued for their ability to assemble and understand new information, come to reasonable and timely conclusions, and communicate effectively. The analytical, communications, and interpersonal expertise you learn from a liberal arts background is an asset to all employers.
Reality: There is no required major for law school or medical school. Your ability to think analytically and communicate clearly will be important for law and medicine.
There is no “pre-med major” at Tufts, or any other selective college or university. Medical and other health professions schools look for a well-balanced college program, and do not favor one major over another. Statistically, biology majors comprise at least half of the applicant pool but they have a slightly lower rate of admission than many other majors, including many non-science majors. In fact, some admissions officers may be more interested in someone who has majored in a non-science area with a strong record in premedical requirements. Student Services has pre-law and pre-health advisors to discuss further the requirements for law school and medical school.
Reality: As more aspects of everyday life become technologically based, engineering skills and expertise are more valuable than ever in a variety of fields. Technical expertise is an asset in bridging the information gap between engineering and non-engineering worlds. Quantitative skills are applicable in a wide variety of occupational areas. Tufts Engineering majors have pursued careers in technical writing, finance, law, and medicine.
