Freshman year, I was dead-set on majoring in Molecular/Cellular Biology.. that is, until I got an e-mail about the new program in Global Environmental Change and Sustainability. The choice, for me, was obvious; I declared GECS the end of Freshman year and haven't looked back since. The Earth and Planetary Sciences department has some of the smartest and most helpful professors at Hopkins. I am extremely pleased with my decision to study GECS and am grateful for the opportunities the EPS department has afforded me.

I was undecided when I came to Hopkins, so I spent my freshman year taking courses in a wide range of majors. I knew little to nothing about Public Health before I came to Hopkins, but after taking an intro-level PH class on a whim, I knew I had found the major for me. I'm so glad I registered for Intro to Public Health at the last minute!

It changed around a lot. I've always liked most subjects (math, science, language, and history)  In sophomore year of high school, I really wanted to be an international studies major. I read a book explaining what a lot of majors meant (class-wise, career-wise, etc.) and I realized I liked the international part, but not really the studies part. (I later took Comparative Government in senior year and really liked it, but realized that is not what I would want to do for four years). I really liked business since I was little, so I was thinking of being an accounting major since I had taken an accounting class.  

But then my teacher nominated me for this science, technology, and math program where each month we got to go on a field trip to different science careers. They talked about being an engineering  major and I thought "Wow! I like math! I like science! Hurray I like engineering!"

Then, exploring schools and talking to different professors from different engineering disciplines, I realized that I wanted to do a more science-y engineering. I then worked over the summer in a Materials Science Lab and realized I wanted to work with biomaterials and pharmaceuticals. I looked at the BME at Hopkins, but realized that I didn't really like all the computer-y stuff (sorry Nick!). When I went to the ChemBE presentation, I fell in love. It was science-y and interesting and prepped you for careers in pharmaceuticals and biomaterials. [/rant]

Sorry for rambling on! It's a long story- but I'd definitely suggest taking a wide variety of classes in high school, so you can see what you're interested in and what you don't want to study. Talk to professionals in many different fields to see what you want to do. :)

I chose Neuroscience because the program looked really interesting here. I recently decided to double major in Political Science and Neuroscience, however, because I wanted a balance of humanities and science courses. I found it difficult to only take science classes because there was no variety in (for example) what or how I had to study. I took Expo and am currently taking Intro to Fiction and Poetry, and realized that I really do well when I have a good mix of classes. I also really enjoy the fact that I can dedicate an entire day to my research at JHMI. That allows me to distance myself from my classes and really apply what I am learning.

Overall, I think choosing a major involves several things. First, learning what you have a natural propensity to thrive in is important. Obviously you want to do well in your chosen major. Second, it is important to learn what specifically is required from each major and see whether you are willing to complete everything. Taking a look at the course catalog, while inundating at first, can be a great way to take a look at what is offered and what looks interesting to you. Last, I think it is important to consider what you are really passionate about.

You might be undecided at first, then take a bunch of classes in a department you really like, and realize that you are on the path to becoming (for example) and Archaeology major. The best part about college is being able to take many classes in an area and then decide. There is no rule that says you have to be sure of what you want to do. For all I know, I will change my major- there's plenty of time to figure things out!

I actually didn't decide to be a Public Health major until halfway through first semester, yet I can't imagine ever studying anything else! When I applied to Hopkins, I stated that I would be majoring in Writing Seminars because I've always loved creative writing. Senior year, I did really well in AP Bio and spent the entire year working in a Neurobiology lab, so I though I'd probably double with Neuroscience as well. Throughout the fall, I loved my writing sems and neuro classes (Intro to Fiction and Poetry and Physiological Psychology) but I realized that I couldn't imagine myself being able to balance the writing sems requirements with the pre-med ones or spend four years on one focused subject like Neuroscience. I spoke with some of my older Public Health friends (JHU_Saznin was elemental in my making this decision), and realized that it aligned perfectly with my interests! I had a meeting with my advisor last week to officially declare my major and am now affiliated with the Public Health Studies Department!

I applied to Hopkins as a Mathematics major... Accepted as a Psychology major (after attending an amazing lecture by a Hopkins Psychology professor)... Told everyone the first week I was an International Studies major... Then considered a Political Science major... and now I'm pursuing an Economics major. The beauty of Hopkins academics is that you don't have to know exactly what you want to study. I've found that the best way to pick a major is to take  a wide range of classes and find a subject that genuinely interests you. I discovered economics and I'm really enjoying it thus far, but there is plenty of me to change my mind (yet again!) and pursue a completely different field of study!