A Struggle We All Face: How Do I Possibly Choose a Major?
**This article has been updated as of April 2025.
As a prospective college student, trying to identify what you want to study in college (and where you want to apply) may be a daunting task. There are hundreds of majors and programs out there. And there are countless schools to consider. Will the school you attend have all of the subjects you want to study to get a well-rounded education? How are the professors? Are there extracurricular activities that pique your interests? So, is there anything that can help you make the most educated choice possible? Something that offers you a glimpse into what a real college experience is like or provides additional details about a school’s offerings. That’s where precollegiate programs come in!
By the time it was my junior year in high school, I had a rough idea of what I wanted to study in college. I decided on business. And although I knew of so many schools with great business programs, I did not know exactly what type of business to focus on. It took me quite awhile to land on studying hotel and tourism management. That’s why I wish I’d known about Career Edge at the NYU School of Professional Studies when I was in high school. I believe I would have chose it earlier if I had a tase of the subject before college.
Attend NYU Classes Before I Apply? Yes!
Career Edge is a high school summer program created by the NYU School of Professional Studies. The program will be in person for summer 2025. Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can take intensive one-week career-focused courses. Tuition and fees total $2,579. Career Edge offers unique business classes like Investing Like a Wall Street Pro. Medical classes such as Exploring Careers in Medicine. And there are arts classes like Discovering New York City Architecture: A Foundation in Design, Theory, and Practice and Screenwriting—Visual Storytelling: From Short to Feature-Length Films. Clearly, there’s something for everyone!
“My teacher and other students in my class were both great,” says one former Career Edge student. “I felt very comfortable asking questions and participating. Everyone was very welcoming. I learned so much and feel that I took away a lot from the program. It was a wonderful experience and I would definitely recommend this program to other students.”
What If I’m Still Not Sure?
After taking part in a precollegiate program at NYU, you may still be unsure which major is right for you. Being undecided at NYU is OK! If you apply to NYU in New York City, you will still apply to one of 10 schools or colleges. You have the flexibility to change your major or concentration with the assistance of academic and cross-school advisers. You may end up knowing what school you wish to apply to but find interest in a variety of courses. My main focus at NYU is hospitality and tourism management. But I’ve taken music classes and even environmental science courses for my liberal arts requirements. If you still want to know more, read “Is It OK to Apply Undecided to NYU?”
Getting Involved!
Many NYU students define their experience by the numerous clubs, sports, and other communities they belong to on campus. Throughout your summer experience, NYU hosts events and outings that will help you get to know more about what your own interests might be while you explore NYU and New York City.
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Ready, Set, Summer: Career Edge Program Gives High Schoolers a Head Start on Their Futures
Get real-world experience, clarify your career goals, build your resume, and find community through NYU Career Edge’s one-week, college-level courses.