It's often easier to first identify the majors you DON'T want rather than just start out with the ones you think you might want to pursue. This step gives you the opportunity to eliminate majors in which you have no interest, allowing you to focus only on programs that are real possibilities. To make the most of this resource, be sure to complete BOTH elimination phases (instructions below).
IMPORTANT: Even if you have a declared major, it still benefits you to complete this activity. By doing so, you'll be educating yourself on all of the majors that UConn offers. This is the best way to find your best fit.
ALSO IMPORTANT: Be sure to carve out a period of time when you can sit down and focus. This tool is most helpful when you can give it your full attention.
Elimination Phase 1:
- Click the "Begin Eliminating Majors" link below.
- For every major in which you have no interest, click “Not Interested”.
- IMPORTANT:
- If you don’t know what something is, leave it for now.
- If you don't know what a particular major is, you don't know that you don't want to do it. You will have the opportunity to learn about these majors in Elimination Phase 2.
- Don't worry about career opportunities...yet.
- Only think about these majors in terms of what you would be interested in studying. Do not focus on job opportunities at this point in the exercise, as this will be discussed at a later time.
- For example, DO NOT eliminate English if you are interested in the material but are worried about job opportunities.
- Distinguish between potential major and interest/hobby
- Not all hobbies/interests need to be potential majors. Try to differentiate between what is a major of interest and what is just a hobby/interest.
- For example, maybe you're interested in practicing good nutrition as an interest, but would you want to immerse yourself in it (sit in classes?
- If you don’t know what something is, leave it for now.
- IMPORTANT:
- Majors you have eliminated will collect at the bottom of the page. You can unclick the "Not Interested" box at any time to add a major back to the list of possibilities.
- You can sort the list of majors by school/college, Major Exploration Group, or alphabetical order.
- You can save your progress at any time by filling out the form on the right side of the page. You will be emailed a link that will allow you to pick up right where you left off.
- Once you have gone through every major, save your list. You have completed Elimination Phase 1.
Pause....take a breath...
Give yourself a day or two for your brain to relax so you come back and complete Elimination Phase 2 with a fresh perspective.
Elimination Phase 2:
- Return to your saved list of majors by using the link sent to your email during Elimination Phase 1.
- Click on the title of every major you DID NOT eliminate to view its Major Profile. Each profile includes best intro courses, career opportunities, related majors, TME Student Mentors, and more.
- As you do this, you may be able to eliminate more majors from your list. If you are still unsure about a major, leave it.
- Once you've narrowed down your list of potential majors even further, you can reach out to current students within the remaining majors by visiting the TME Mentors page. This will allow you to gain insight into what it's like to be a student in these majors.
- Schedule a meeting with an Exploratory Advisor or Career Coach