Deciding on a College Major as a High School Junior - It's Not Easy for Everyone

NJROTC-CC

NJROTC-CC

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DS is currently a high school junior and is planning to apply to various college commissioning programs starting this spring and and summer. He is starting to ponder - - and I think struggle with - - the matter of deciding on a college major. Obviously, some ROTC programs require the applicant to choose a major and, if a scholarship is awarded, the service expects the candidate to complete that major. Changing majors is not always possible. DS is concerned about picking a major now, that he might not like later and then be stuck in that major.

His problem, is that he is not sure what he wants to major in. He definitely wants to serve and to obtain a commission. He is strongly leaning Navy or Navy MO. ( I think he has decided against Army.) However, I don't think he is very interested in pursuing a STEM major. I have been strongly suggesting Cyber Security, which counts as a Tier 2 major for Navy and is a "hot major" in both the military and civilian job markets. Not sure how interested in that he actually is. He would have more flexibility if he goes Marine Option - - which does not limit majors - - and he knows that. But I really think he wants to go Navy.

DS is more of an extroverted "people person" rather than a math/science nerd (term used affectionately, no offense intended.) I see him as a "Captain Kirk" not a "Mr. Scott."

All I can do is show him all the potential paths to take. He is the one who must choose which path to follow. However, I just can't help but think that is not really fair to make a high school junior to make a decision on a major that he/she might not be able to change out of later. But, hey, who said life is fair.
 
I’m sure you already know this, but worth reinforcing: Chasing a major that’s currently “hot” or “high paying” is a path that backfires as often as it succeeds. I teach at our flagship state university, where it seems that many changes of major are driven by exactly those tactics, or by parents who impose their preferences — however well intended — on their kids. I agree that it’s a lot to ask of a kid to make such a monumental decision at such an early stage. But I look at it two ways.

First, majors don’t have to define you or your career. I know English majors who became investment bankers and accounting majors who became teachers. Half the engineering majors I know aren’t engineers and half the law-school grads I know don’t practice law. What you study in college is just one input in life, and it only shackles you if you let it.

Second, and you’ll hear this often if your kid joins the military, the needs of the service come first. The Navy is a high-tech undertaking, hence the focus on STEM. Leading in grave conditions — the essence of an officer’s job — demands analytical ability, critical thinking, quantitative savvy and exquisite communication. So if certain majors help develop those traits, we’re wise to require them.

Your kid is best off choosing the subject they most enjoy studying. That’s what will lead to best their academic performance and a higher ranking to win the desired military occupation or warfare community. No doubt you know this — but high school kids usually don’t and could use encouragement in this direction.

By the way, DD is a USNA mid majoring in Operations Research, i.e. Applied Math. She’s far more “people person” than “nerd.” 😉
 
First, and with all due respect, of course it's fair. The Navy is looking for certain skill sets by the time folks commission. They require 85% STEM majors at the outset so they get a yield of about 65% and the end of the cycle. How do they achieve that without requiring that certain majors be pursued? A computer programming firm is not going to (generally) pick a college gradate who majored in Social Sciences to fill that critical programming slot. Is that fair?

Now, no one says he can't pick a non-STEM major and still apply for the scholarship. About 15% of awardees pursue a Tier 3 major. If he isn't awarded a scholarship he can enroll in NROTC Navy Option anyway, pursuing the major of his choice, and try to earn a scholarship while a participant in the program. There are several opportunities to do so. Even without a scholarship it is still possible to gain Advanced Standing and commission as an officer in the US Navy.

As you mention, The Marine Corps doesn't really care what your major is, but, of course, the number of awardees is far smaller. Why does he prefer Navy Option? Has he explored the jobs available in each service after commissioning? Which service has the opportunities he wants to pursue?

It is possible to change majors in either case. You do need permission. You generally can't drop to a lower tier (or at least from Tier 1 or 2 to Tier 3). You also need to show you can still graduate on time.

As MidCake says, one should pursue a major they're interested in. Of all the possible majors there must certainly be something he's sure he would like. What is he good at? What does he have fun doing? Fun is the essence. If you aren't having fun, what's the point?

Good luck to your DS. I'm confident he'll sort this out.
 
Gonna throw in my 2 cents with my high school counselor hat on.

First, there are TONS of online career inventories online that sit unused, while students say "I don't know what I want to do." Even the ACT has a great set of inventories that will then match your ACT scores and strengths. I always aim my students at those when they don't know. I think they are invaluable for at least thinking about their own abilities and interests. Many students have not been exposed to careers because of geographic location, social status, etc. These inventories can help level the playing field of exposure. They are often broad, but even having a topic to explore can help a student chase a bunny trail to what they might like. Likewise, as much as Youtube is not educational, there's also a host of info that you can find about careers and interests. The internet definitely brings this generation into the driver's seat of exploration that we never had.

Secondly, I tell my own kids, if you have skills in Math or Science, it is advantageous to find something you enjoy in those fields. If you could sit at my desk and sift through student transcripts, you'd probably be SHOCKED at the number of students who are not very good at Math or Science. In fact, I'd venture to say that it varies by school, but upwards of 60-70% of students (at least in my area) struggle in Math and Science classes. If you don't, then you're in a much smaller group to compete within jobs that typically pay much higher because of the need and lack of students who do well. I'm not saying to tell your kid what to major in, just to point them toward their strengths and help them find a career that they will enjoy using those strengths. I would say that most students who are strong in a subject will find enjoyment in studying it, thus a win-win for the major and the future career. So, don't let a student who is super well-rounded count out his/her strengths in Math and Science.
 
kinnem said:
First, and with all due respect, of course it's fair. The Navy is looking for certain skill sets by the time folks commission. They require 85% STEM majors at the outset so they get a yield of about 65% and the end of the cycle. How do they achieve that without requiring that certain majors be pursued? A computer programming firm is not going to (generally) pick a college gradate who majored in Social Sciences to fill that critical programming slot. Is that fair?
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I think you missed my point. OF COURSE it is fair for the Navy to look for certain majors. We certainly don't need any Art History majors in the armed forces. What I said was that is it not fair to force a kid still in his formative years, not even a senior in high school, to make a choice of college major and then be locked into that decision. I get that there is really no other way for the Navy to get the majors it wants. But it does not work out well for everyone.

My best friend growing up knew from the time of elementary school that he wanted to be a surgeon, and he became one. However, most of us are not that focused. I changed majors. Many people do. At least I didn't have to worry about losing or paying back a scholarship.

I am going to advise DS to pick whatever he wants, Navy Scholarship or not. Just not sure that even he knows what he wants just yet.
 
My son declared his major at USNA and switched after his plebe year to something that aligns with his passion ... space.

He needed and received approval to switch early.

He is so much happier.

Find what you enjoy and go for it. It was hard for him to pick a major because he did very well in every class he took in high school.
 
A1Janitor said:
My son declared his major at USNA and switched after his plebe year to something that aligns with his passion ... space.

He needed and received approval to switch early.

He is so much happier.

Find what you enjoy and go for it. It was hard for him to pick a major because he did very well in every class he took in high school.
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The USNA allows mids to major in anything they want. That is great. Not the same in NROTC.
 
Just wanted to say that, as the parent of a math/science student (nerd isn’t actually a term of endearment) who is pursuing a computer science/cyber security degree, cyber security, at least at his school, involves a lot of advanced math. If your son doesn’t enjoy math, this is probably not something you should be pushing him toward.
 
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NJROTC-CC said:
The USNA allows mids to major in anything they want. That is great. Not the same in NROTC.
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USNA is required to have at least 65% STEM majors in the graduating class, since 2013. Of course, they all get the core STEM courses required for the BS. See link below:
www.usna.edu

Majors

Explore U.S. Naval Academy majors and courses. Find academic programs, course catalogs, and major selection information.
www.usna.edu

I think it does make a difference a major isn’t really declared until after a plebe gets started at USNA, unlike NROTC scholarship applicants having to choose up front.

STEM-to-STEM major switches are no problem at USNA. I think there is enough of a surplus of 65%+ STEM majors that switches to Group III majors are usually doable, though the 65% is carefully monitored.
 
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@NJROTC-CC ,

I completely agree that 16-18 is too young to expect a decision. By your description of him it appears that the range of choices is whittled down to Tier 3 majors. Further, the only MOSes that call for a specific major, like Cyber, are looking for Tier 1 and 2. @MidCakePa is dead on: 1)Don't pick an "aspirational" major, 2)Don't major in what's hot, because it's hot. @milmomsomeday also provides something of a road map, namely HS grades and Standardized test scores.

I would advise your DS to keep their advice in mind, but to really think, as @kinnem says, about where he sees himself and what he wants to be doing to be in his middle 20's. Use @MidCakePa's advice to find a smooth path through college to get there. The Army, Navy or Marines will teach him everything he needs to do his job.

BTW don't rule out AROTC. Short of ships and fixed winged aircraft, the Army is the biggest service branch with the widest array of opportunities and posts.

And PLEEEEEEEEASE, don't add to the pressure at this point.

Best of Luck to him!
 
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NJROTC-CC said:
I think you missed my point. OF COURSE it is fair for the Navy to look for certain majors. We certainly don't need any Art History majors in the armed forces. What I said was that is it not fair to force a kid still in his formative years, not even a senior in high school, to make a choice of college major and then be locked into that decision. I get that there is really no other way for the Navy to get the majors it wants. But it does not work out well for everyone.

My best friend growing up knew from the time of elementary school that he wanted to be a surgeon, and he became one. However, most of us are not that focused. I changed majors. Many people do. At least I didn't have to worry about losing or paying back a scholarship.

I am going to advise DS to pick whatever he wants, Navy Scholarship or not. Just not sure that even he knows what he wants just yet.
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No, I got your point exactly. And, BTW, there is nothing wrong with art majors in the military. I'm going to leave it at that.

Edit: When awarded a 4 year scholarship, if your DS finds he is not happy with his major, and he cannot get permission to change majors, he can always drop from NROTC prior to sophomore year with no obligation to pay back. Life is full of trade-offs and decisions always have consequences of some form.
 
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kinnem said:
First, and with all due respect, of course it's fair. The Navy is looking for certain skill sets by the time folks commission.
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Building on the point made by @kinnem. USNA is proud of the monicker N*OT COLLEGE. It’s apt for Annapolis, and I would argue, also for NROTC scholarships.

At civilian schools, students are the customers. They are buying college. (We can debate the nuances of that statement another time.) That’s not the case with USNA and NROTC. They’re less akin to colleges and more akin to employers, i.e. the Navy is buying — hiring, actually — its next generation of commissioned officers. Therefore, they get to call the shots far more than do civilian schools.

Imagine if they approached this topic like a corporation. They might say, “Don’t like our hiring policies? Then go work somewhere else.” Or, “You’re just a student? Well, actually you’re an employee (refer to your monthly paystub if you disagree) who’s undergoing on-the-job training.”

There are many reminders that USNA and NROTC (scholarship version) are not college. And those who are there — most of them, at least — chose these employers.
 
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I have reflected upon the wisdom of this forum and have urged DS to pick a major he is passionate about. If the Navy finds it useful and gives him a scholarship, great. If not, we will find another way to pay for his education and he will find an employer who can utilize his skills. He wants to serve, and I think he will find a way to do so. He will apply to USNA, USCGA, USMMA, NROTC and to at least one NROTC college program. If he gets into our local state university he will have in-state pre-paid tuition and there is a NROTC unit where he can prove himself as a college programmer if he chooses.
 
By nature and inclination, based on what you're saying, he's obviously not going to be happy or energized majoring in STEM. There is almost no way that doing so will turn out well for him. It's a hard slog even for those who love it, and in any case, there's a huge opportunity cost to the STEM path in terms of the time spent grinding away on thousands of p-sets instead of reading the best that has been thought and said.

Tell him to follow his passion and he'll be fine. We need History majors as much as we need engineers.
 
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