How to Pick a College Major and School: 6 Steps for Teens

By: Hailey Traum

Applying to college and picking a major is a big task, that is why finding someone to guide your teen through this is one of the most important first steps. When it comes time to start this process most families start by falling in love with a school name first and try to fit a major to it later. This makes it more stressful on your student! By starting with your teen’s strengths, choose a degree that fits them, then build a balanced list of about six colleges you are able to skip out on that stress. Having a person in their corner helps them know what the right next steps are it takes a lot of the stress out of a process that can feel overwhelming. It also raises the odds of landing at the right school with the right funding. That person might be a school counselor, a community group, a friend or family member who is already in college, or a mentorship program designed to help you student plan for the future like LSA’s. If you are not sure where to begin, this post gives you the high-level overview. We have a multitude of resources for students who are looking twards their future and planning their next steps like our scholarship resource page, and the college planning spreadsheets help your teen keep themselves organized.

Step 1: Start with your teen’s strengths, not a school name

Now when it comes to picking a major there is no reason to worry about it. A major matters less than most families think. It is estimated that about 70% of students change their major within the first two years of college, so the first choice rarely ends up being the final one. That means this decision does not need to be a source of stress. Encourage your teen to go with something that genuinely interests them and stay open to changing their mind as they learn more about themselves.

Begin by having your teen write down what they are good at and what they enjoy. Not what looks impressive on an application, but what is actually true. A teen who lights up when explaining something to a friend has told you something real. So has a teen who loses track of time building, drawing, organizing, or fixing things. Sit down together, but let them hold the pen. Two columns work well: what I do well, and what I would like to get better at. The second column matters as much as the first, because it keeps the list honest. A teen who writes “great with people, struggles with public speaking” is already ahead of one who writes only the flattering half.

Step 2: Turn those strengths into a short list of degree programs

List three to five degrees that seem interesting, then rank them. Next to each one, your teen writes the qualifications they already have for it and one thing they would need to improve. For example, a teen considering psychology might note “good at listening, comfortable talking to new people” under qualifications and “uncomfortable with eye contact” under what to improve. This exercise does two things. It gives your teen a real reason for choosing a degree beyond “it sounded good,” and it shows what to work on over the next year or two. If you are stuck on where to start, a free career interest quiz can help your teen see options they had not considered. Many in-state universities offer their own, so check the websites of the schools your family is already curious about.

Step 3: Learn the three kinds of schools

Colleges fall into three groups for planning purposes: in-state, middle of the road, and reach. Knowing the difference keeps your list balanced.

• Fall back schools are public colleges and universities in Arizona (or your home state). They usually cost residents less than out-of-state options, which makes them the foundation of the list.
• Middle of the road schools are ones where your teen’s GPA and test scores land inside the range of students the college typically admits. Admission is likely, though never guaranteed.
• Reach schools are ones where your teen’s numbers sit at the low end of that range or below it. Admission is possible but less likely, and they are still worth applying to if your teen truly wants to go.

Each college publishes the typical GPA and test score range of its admitted students, usually on its admissions page. Compare your teen’s numbers to those ranges rather than guessing.

Step 4: Build a list of about six colleges

Aim for roughly three fall back schools, two middle of the road schools, and one or two reach schools. That balance protects your teen. If the reach schools say no, there are still good options on the table, and if one of them says yes, your teen gets to make a real choice. Have your teen build the list on their own, then talk it through together. Ask questions instead of handing down verdicts: what drew you to this one, what would a normal Tuesday look like there, how far from home do you want to be? A teen who chose their own list is far more likely to follow through on the applications than one who was handed a list.

Step 5: Check what each school will cost

Look up the full cost of attendance for every school on the list before anyone applies. That means tuition, fees, books, and housing, not just the tuition figure on the front page. Put the numbers side by side so the real differences become visible. This step often reshuffles the list. A school that looked out of reach financially may become realistic once grants and scholarships are counted, and a school that seemed like a sure thing may turn out to be a stretch. The goal is to know the number each school is really asking for.

Step 6: Line up the application pieces in order

Work through the application steps one at a time so nothing lands in a pile at the last minute. A simple order that works for most families:

1. Keep a running list of your teen’s achievementsand unique qualities. This becomes a one-page resume and a source for essays.
2. Take the PSAT/NMSQT and the ACT or SAT, leaving time to retake if your teen wants to.
3. Talk through the essay prompts with a parent or mentor. Your teen writes the essay, but a thoughtful second voice helps them find what they actually want to say.
4. Submit the college applications.
5. Fill out the FAFSA, the federal form that determines eligibility for grants and other aid.
6. Apply for scholarships.

Where a mentor can help

Choosing a major and a school is a big decision, and many teens do it best with someone outside the family asking good questions. A mentor can help your teen put their strengths into words, test their ideas, and keep moving when the process gets overwhelming, without making the decision for them. If you would like that kind of support, LSA’s 1:1 Success Coaching pairs your teen with a mentor who works alongside them year-round.