When Studying in the U.S., Choose Your Major Before Selecting a University

    For those immigrating to the U.S., pay attention to U.S. education: Parents often select universities for their children based on rankings. However, choosing a major should come before choosing a university, as the choice of major is often linked to future career paths; this is especially important for graduate school applications. This forces us to acknowledge the importance of choosing a major. Furthermore, just because a university is highly ranked overall does not mean a specific program is stronger; many universities have specific programs that are second to none nationwide.

Choose Your Major Before Selecting a University for U.S. Study

In reality, the rankings of foreign universities seen by domestic students and parents generally refer to overall rankings. Some universities may not have high overall rankings, but a specific program may be highly renowned. For example, while the University of California, Berkeley may not be as famous as Harvard or Oxford, the strength of some of its programs far exceeds those of these schools, with many ranking in the top five. There is a lesser-known school in Las Vegas whose hotel management program is world-renowned. With some of the world's high-end hotels clustered in Las Vegas, students have unique advantages for both internships and employment.

Students Should Choose No More Than 2 to 3 Majors

In the U.S., students should choose no more than 2 to 3 majors. Many well-known U.S. universities prioritize research over teaching; for instance, the top 30 universities are collectively known as research universities. They focus more on scientific research and assume that students admitted to their schools are geniuses themselves, so it is common for professors to cover three or four chapters in a single lecture. Therefore, when choosing a university, students should consider whether the school focuses on research or teaching and make their choice based on their own abilities.

 

 

Once students decide to study abroad, they should first focus on choosing a major, and then consider the university they should attend for that major. For example, many schools offer finance and business management programs; students should first determine their major and then consider other factors to decide which specific school to apply to.

Consider Multiple Factors

When applying, students should combine their interests. U.S. universities cultivate talent based on student interests; they focus more on individual development and hope that every student is unique rather than being cut from the same mold. They believe that as long as a student excels in their chosen field, they are successful.

Students should also choose their major based on their future career goals. The choice of major and university depends on post-graduation plans. If you plan to return to your home country for development, the chosen university should lean more towards overall rankings, as these are relatively more recognized upon return. If you plan to stay abroad for development, you should pay more attention to program rankings to secure better job opportunities abroad.