Major Choice

College Majors
1

Ok… so I am a giant puzzle;

I am currently confused to high heaven on WHAT major I want to get myself into.

My freshman year I formed my plan:
UT
Architecture
Longhorn Marching Band

That stayed with me until a conversation with my counselor my sophomore year. She told me it wasn’t healthy to have a plan already, to look at different options. Long story short, I set my plan which stuck with me for 2 years, and it was EXACTLY where I knew I wanted to be.

Purdue University
Chem E.
All-American Purdue Band

Here’s the thing… I am a very intense individual. Straight A’s in 6 AP classes, one of the best trumpets in my band, and am excited to be marching the Phantom Regiment DCI Bugle Corps over the summer! I know that, whatever I get myself into, I will excel at, as that is the kind of hard working, ultimately happy person I am! I just need someone to figure out one thing for me: what major would put me EXACTLY where I should be in my future?

Colleges I am applying to, and majors with each of them(Placed in order of preference):
1: Purdue University; Chem E.
2: Washington University; Chem E.
3: University of Texas; Chem E.
4: Stanford University; Chem E.
5: Texas A&M University; Chem E.
6: The Ohio State University; Chem E.
7: Baylor University; Music
8: Louisiana State University; undecided
9: Oklahoma State University; undecided

Ultimately, I feel like majoring in music and marching DCI would be where I am most happy. But that is often an unsuccessful field.
Please help me,
Aiden

P.S. To the person who actually gives me an answer: <3

2

Lots of people have day jobs in engineering or other areas while doing music, marching, etc. as “extracurricular” activities. When you march with Phantom Regiment, you may want to ask the other people how it fits into their life, including their day jobs.

3

It’s not unhealthy to have a plan early in life. It’s always good to keep an open mind and keep your options open, but some students just know what they want to do early, and that’s fine too. It’s also fine to change your mind later if you want.

Studying chem E and participating heavily in music sounds great if those are your interests and fit with your career goals (however nebulous they may be!). One thing I will say is that you have a lot of public universities on your list, and although those are really great for chemical engineering they likely won’t provide a lot of financial aid. So consider scouting some more private universities that may award you some more money - unless your family can afford to pay full price.