Exploratory | uhmac

Who is undecided?
If you have not been fully admitted to a college or a school within UHM and have not decided on your major, you are considered an undecided student.

Steps to Selecting a Major

Finding the right major requires a lot of conscious effort - self-reflection, self-evaluation, researching and information gathering. The following is the general steps that help you find a major that fits you best.

Steps

What you need to do:

Tips & Suggestions:

1. Assess you interests, abilities, and values

2. Know the major options available at UHM & gather information

3. Explore your major options & do more research

4. Evaluate & narrow down your options

Ask yourself:
• What are your passions?
• What are you interested in?
• What are you good at?
• What subjects did you enjoy?
• What kinds of things are important to you and in what order?
• What are your educational and career goals?

• Take an honest look at your unique strengths and abilities
• Talk to those who know you best: family, friends, teachers, employers
• Take career assessments and interest inventories at Counseling and Student Development Center (QLC 307)

• Review ‘degrees, minors and certificates offered at UHM’ in the UHM catalog
• Mark any majors that appeal to you.
• Read descriptions of those majors:
º What the field is about
º Requirements (e.g., prerequisite courses, total credits, required major courses, GPA, admission requirements, official application to the program)
º Titles and courses descriptions of required courses and electives

• Visit Manoa Career Center (QLC 212) to learn what you can do with various majors
• Check the website of your potential major departments
• Ask upperclassmen and classmates how they chose their majors

• Take an introductory course in the subject of your interest
• If you like it, take additional courses in the field
• Meet with your academic advisor to:
º Review your degree requirements
º Discuss exploratory course options
º Discuss strategies to fulfill general education requirements while exploring
º Discuss campus resources that would help narrow down your options

• Attend information sessions of your potential majors (if offered)
• Visit undergraduate advisors for each major and ask more about the field (e.g., scholarship, research, internships, career options, student organization)
• Plan ahead: some majors (e.g., natural sciences, art, theatre, languages, music) require an early start for timely graduation

• Ask yourself honestly:
º Did you enjoy the subject?
º Did you do well in intro-level and prerequisite courses?
º Have you met or are you close to meeting the admission requirements?
º Look at both pros and cons of your options
• Discuss your decision with your academic advisor and develop an academic plan

• Make a timely decision!
• Make sure that you are eligible to apply into the major program (e.g., test scores, field experience, personal statement, etc.)
• Send an application before application deadlines (if applicable)

Declare a major by junior year (55cr)!

Are you an exploratory student?
If you have not been fully admitted to a college or a school within UHM and have not decided on your major, you are considered an exploratory student.

Steps to Selecting a Major
Finding the right major requires a lot of conscious effort - self-reflection, self-evaluation, researching and information gathering. The following are general steps that help you find a major that fits you best.

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