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How do I start researching to find colleges I might be interested in?
I am interested in STEM, but I’m not sure what majors I want to choose.
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Danielle’s Answer
Hi Sofie,
You can start by looking up different public and private colleges in your area. California has some great public colleges in the University of California (UC) system, California State University (CSU) system and local community college (CC) system, as well as private institutions (ex. Pepperdine, USC and Loyola Marymount). It may be useful to take a look at these schools and make notes of their requirements for admission, acceptance rates, STEM majors & student population size. If you are thinking about attending schools out of state, I would create a similar list, starting with colleges in areas you could see yourself living in. Many colleges offer free tours where they show you around campus, introduce you to students & professors, and give you more info on programs/majors. Some colleges even offer virtual informational sessions or will fly you out to visit them!
Overall, it may be beneficial to look into colleges that have a more broad range of STEM-related courses and majors, which includes many research universities or specialized institutions (ex. California Institute of Technology). As you research more schools, you will find that some are hyper-focused in a certain area of STEM, although they offer other options. Remember, it is completely normal to change your interests and major a few times, good luck researching!
You can start by looking up different public and private colleges in your area. California has some great public colleges in the University of California (UC) system, California State University (CSU) system and local community college (CC) system, as well as private institutions (ex. Pepperdine, USC and Loyola Marymount). It may be useful to take a look at these schools and make notes of their requirements for admission, acceptance rates, STEM majors & student population size. If you are thinking about attending schools out of state, I would create a similar list, starting with colleges in areas you could see yourself living in. Many colleges offer free tours where they show you around campus, introduce you to students & professors, and give you more info on programs/majors. Some colleges even offer virtual informational sessions or will fly you out to visit them!
Overall, it may be beneficial to look into colleges that have a more broad range of STEM-related courses and majors, which includes many research universities or specialized institutions (ex. California Institute of Technology). As you research more schools, you will find that some are hyper-focused in a certain area of STEM, although they offer other options. Remember, it is completely normal to change your interests and major a few times, good luck researching!
Thank you so much for answering, this was really helpful!
Sofie
Updated
Tamathia’s Answer
I would start researching colleges that has great programs in what I want to major in. (Example)-STEM-Start researching schools with great Science programs, etc...
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi Sofie,
I fully agree with the others on first and foremost look for a college that offers a wide variety of STEM majors. I believe, you have to experience the different types of STEM degrees (by taking classes) to even know what sparks a strong passion. That is how it was for me. Having said that, I would not worry too much about getting into the "best ranked" school or a school with this name or that professor. If it is an accredited college, offers a wide variety of STEM majors and will meet your other requirements (close to home or far away from home, cost, etc.) then I believe you should be fine. As an example, when I started college, I didn't even know I wanted to go into engineering, I thought I wanted to do a philosophy degree. Thus, I was at a school that didn't even offer an engineering degree. However, through taking classes at a local accredited engineering school and transferring the credits, as well as going on to a graduate school that offered engineering, I was able to figure out. I don't recommend that route, but more important that getting into the "perfect" school or pressuring yourself to know "exactly" what you want to do before experiencing it, is to just work hard, learn your basics in math and sciences and be open to learning new things.
Good luck!
I fully agree with the others on first and foremost look for a college that offers a wide variety of STEM majors. I believe, you have to experience the different types of STEM degrees (by taking classes) to even know what sparks a strong passion. That is how it was for me. Having said that, I would not worry too much about getting into the "best ranked" school or a school with this name or that professor. If it is an accredited college, offers a wide variety of STEM majors and will meet your other requirements (close to home or far away from home, cost, etc.) then I believe you should be fine. As an example, when I started college, I didn't even know I wanted to go into engineering, I thought I wanted to do a philosophy degree. Thus, I was at a school that didn't even offer an engineering degree. However, through taking classes at a local accredited engineering school and transferring the credits, as well as going on to a graduate school that offered engineering, I was able to figure out. I don't recommend that route, but more important that getting into the "perfect" school or pressuring yourself to know "exactly" what you want to do before experiencing it, is to just work hard, learn your basics in math and sciences and be open to learning new things.
Good luck!
Updated
Stella’s Answer
Sofie.
To give you advice, all of STEM majors are hard yet very rewording. My daughter is at Rose-Hulman College (Indiana) major Chemical Enginering.
She was always A+ student with Honours ...until she went to STEM program. She was struggling a bit, in the first year, but she made through it, because she loves Chemistry. If your desire is to go into STEM, choose the major that fits you and your interests. Whatever your passion is convert it into STEM major as this will help you through the years of intense learning. Please keep in mind that the first year in any STEM College is very hard and there is little to none mistakes allowed (first year weed out) so having a passion that relates to your major will help. As to choosing the right college, a huge help is "LinkedIn" where you can network with people that graduated from the college(s) that are on your "College list of choice".
Reach out to them and ask questions. Personally, me and my daughter made appointments with the colleges and travelled (within a reason) there to get the feel for it. If you should be interested in Rose-Hulman ( https://www.rose-hulman.edu/) feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn and I will be happy to connect you with my daughter. STEM is hard yet rewarding as you will always find a job with STEM degree.
As to choosing your major... on LinkedIn you can look for high paying jobs with Eng./STEM degrees (e.g., BIO/Radioactive Pharmaceutical, QA/EQP Validation, PM project management etc., ) to see if there is one degree in job requirements that would be applicable to your passion and make your choice that way. Feel free to reach out if you would like to connect with other students from Rose-Hulman. Hope this helps and Good Luck .
To give you advice, all of STEM majors are hard yet very rewording. My daughter is at Rose-Hulman College (Indiana) major Chemical Enginering.
She was always A+ student with Honours ...until she went to STEM program. She was struggling a bit, in the first year, but she made through it, because she loves Chemistry. If your desire is to go into STEM, choose the major that fits you and your interests. Whatever your passion is convert it into STEM major as this will help you through the years of intense learning. Please keep in mind that the first year in any STEM College is very hard and there is little to none mistakes allowed (first year weed out) so having a passion that relates to your major will help. As to choosing the right college, a huge help is "LinkedIn" where you can network with people that graduated from the college(s) that are on your "College list of choice".
Reach out to them and ask questions. Personally, me and my daughter made appointments with the colleges and travelled (within a reason) there to get the feel for it. If you should be interested in Rose-Hulman ( https://www.rose-hulman.edu/) feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn and I will be happy to connect you with my daughter. STEM is hard yet rewarding as you will always find a job with STEM degree.
As to choosing your major... on LinkedIn you can look for high paying jobs with Eng./STEM degrees (e.g., BIO/Radioactive Pharmaceutical, QA/EQP Validation, PM project management etc., ) to see if there is one degree in job requirements that would be applicable to your passion and make your choice that way. Feel free to reach out if you would like to connect with other students from Rose-Hulman. Hope this helps and Good Luck .