Q: How can I help my 16-year-old choose a college and determine which field of study best suits his/her personal skills and interests?

A: Sixteen is a great age to start exploring interests, college majors and career aspirations. It is not uncommon for some 16-year-olds to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives, while others may have no idea at all. If the latter is the case, don't be discouraged. Students may have limited interests or may not be aware of all career possibilities; therefore, it's understandable they would have difficulty in choosing a major. Likewise, students who like many things may find it difficult to narrow down their choices. This uncertainty spans all academic performance levels.

Exploring Interests: Start by first asking your 16-year-old to generate a list of interests (what he/she likes to do) and values (what is important to him/her). For example, those who like to scuba dive, travel and persuade people of certain ideas may want to major in business marketing with a career in selling advertising for a scuba diving magazine. As crazy as the interest may be, stick to it. You may see alternative interests emerge. With the scuba diving example, the interest may further translate into a major in biology, with a career as a marine biologist.

Determining Major Options: Once the interest list has been generated, start exploring options for a major (see below). Don't forget that it's just as valuable to eliminate an area of study as it is to confirm a promising one. With a major and career option identified, it is time to find a college or university that offers a good fit.

Finding a College Match: Determining if the school has the major of choice is just one of many factors to consider. What matters most is finding the institution that is the best fit for the individual student. Understanding the student's learning style—visual, auditory, learn by doing, etc.—is equally important. Also consider the length of term. A student who likes a brisk pace may find the quarter system to his liking, while a student who does not want to feel rushed may prefer the semester system.

Applying to College: It's a good idea to apply to several colleges to increase your options. Apply to the "I would give anything to go here" institution; the "this would be a good place to go" that is not as competitive to get into; and the "sure bet" one. The college that seems the ultimate choice today may not be six months from now.

The Undeclared Major: There is a common misconception that it is easier to be admitted as an undeclared major, rather than a declared major. To clarify this myth, for non-impacted majors in The California State University system, the admissions criteria during the initial filing period is the same for all majors. (Impacted majors have program-specific eligibility guidelines beyond the CSU admissions criteria.)

The undeclared major is beneficial for students who have not settled on a major yet and want to be exposed to a variety of course selections that fulfill multiple degree requirements. However, students who feel confident about a major should strongly consider entering as a declared major.

The real key is to keep searching. A spark of enthusiasm and a sense of passion will help guide your child to make the best choice for a major and a career.
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Catherine Schmitt Whitaker
Coordinator, University Advising Center