<p>So I was at orientation recently for NYU CAS. There, many of the CAS advisors told us that the major we pursue does not really matter. Why? They said that we should pursue what interests us and makes us passionate. They said that even if your major is not, for example, business, that you can still go to grad school for business as long as you can provide reasons as to why you pursued that particular major in undergrad. One student currently is majoring in Spanish right now and says that she plans to go to medical school because her reason is that she will have an advantage in helping others by being bilingual. Are these statements true?</p>
<p>While certain specialized graduate and professional schools do have students majoring in expected affiliated majors, for instance, like economics, business, etc. for the MBA, I would say there is some leeway in what you choose to major in. Look at the following recent data from NYU Stern’s MBA program admitted students’ profile:</p>
<p>Undergraduate Majors</p>
<p>Business and Commerce 28%
Engineering, Math, Science 20%
Economics 19%
Humanities, Arts, Other 17%
Social Sciences 16%</p>
<p>Previous Industry</p>
<p>Financial Services 17%
Consulting 16%
Entertainment, Media, Technology 16%
Banking 11%
Consumer Products, Retail 6%
Nonprofit, Arts, Education 5%
Real Estate 4%
Advertising, Public Relations 3%
Energy 3%
Engineering 3%
Law 3%
Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare 3%
Accounting 2%
Other 8% </p>
<p>Many graduate programs require certain core courses, like medical schools’ requirements of biology, chem, organic chem, physics, and calculus. However, after taking the required courses as an undergrad, you have a range of options for majors. In fact, a recent article I read (in the NY Times?) reported that more medical schools (a growing trend) want students who have majored in the social sciences or liberal arts because they feel that these majors may mean future doctors who are more “humanistic” and able to connect to their patients as human beings.</p>
<p>So, I would say that, in general, you do have greater choice in majors than you think, as long as you are not thinking about areas like engineering, computer science, undergrad business as terminal degrees (with no intention of going on to grad or professional school).</p>
<p>Of course, it is generally a good idea to go with what you love and have passion for. Think of it, you are getting prepared for your life work. How horrible it would be if you are stuck committing many hours of your life doing something you do not enjoy or do not feel some passion for. </p>
<p>Now, there are people who work in fields that are not the most exciting to them because they are being pragmatic. However, it would be better to make a living at something you enjoy. Witness the studies coming out about the great dissatisfaction of a sizeable number of lawyers for their work. How horrible to feel stuck and unhappy after many years of training. These people may then have to start over again and get re-trained once they find out they really hate what they do for a living.</p>
<p>Much better to define what you love and want to spend your life doing (by going with a major that fits you), then to put in great investment of time and money to find out later that you are miserable doing what you are doing.</p>