High schools forcing freshmen to declare majors.

[Ackar]

Forced to Pick a Major in High School

I don't think most HS freshmen are knowlegeable enough about what they want to do for the rest of their life, to make this kind of choice so young.

[chaznsc]

A positive is it gets kids thinking outside the box. I am sure they have opportunities to change up as the years progress. When I graduated HS, I had no idea what I was going to do........and I did just that, nothing.

[Boz]

I won't even tell you how long ago I was a Freshman, but they were doing this waaaaaay back then as well. I think it IS a lot of pressure, but it also makes them think and actually envision themselves in some type of profession after HS. It's not written in stone, and in no way means they must follow that path, but I still think it's good for them to get used to the idea of continued education.

[spypet]

European universities require high school admissions to choose a Major.

American universities are unique in how they require nearly 2 years of
core curriculum to essentially repeat high school, since the standards
at the most American high schools are so miserable. this is why it's
pointless to require a major, since most admissions are still illiterate,
and forgot all the math and science they may have been exposed to.

[bgoodwins]

Originally Posted by spypet

European universities require high school admissions to choose a Major.

American universities are unique in how they require nearly 2 years of
core curriculum to essentially repeat high school, since the standards
at the most American high schools are so miserable. this is why it's
pointless to require a major, since most admissions are still illiterate,
and forgot all the math and science they may have been exposed to.

Are you implying that 50 percent of high school graduates cant read? Maybe you should check your facts, or support them in some way.

[zergling]

Wow, high school freshman year? That's too early. Picking your major in college is hard enough already, and now they want to do it several years in advanced?

Blah.

Having tutored rich high school brats for 3 years, I have a rather lengthy opinion on this...I'll grab a coffee first and might come back later to this thread

[Khandurian]

I was forced to pick a major as a freshmen as well. Did very well in the trade. Even had some college experience. Sadly, 3 years after highscool, while working in the field of electronics, I realized I was not going to go anywhere anytime soon.

It became boring and repetitive. Unless you had 10 years of on going college, you were never invited in the processes of new technologies. I wasn't even handed blue prints which I could very well read! Instead, I was handed a sheet of paper that said, if failure code is ### then replace this, this, this, and this.

BAH! It got old fast. Now I sit and polish a chair with my arse, order the FNG's to RTFM, and it has nothing to do with electronics! Nothing but wasted time in my life!

[if_fishes_were_wishes]

I'm glad I didn't have to do that. I even went thru 4 yrs of college and didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. 4 yrs of grad school and STILL don't know!

[James From Cali]

They had me choose a major. I did(I had two picked out ince 4th grade xD). But then they were giving the pressure that you must do this this and that in order to get to where I want to be.

It was bad enough I wasnt doing well in all my classes but had to think about college so soon. It didnt make anything easier.

[supaflyz]

Hey that sounds pretty good. When I came out of high school I didnt even know what major I wanted. Wasted a whole year taking classes I didnt need to. I think its good that they have an idea of what they want to take.

[sandiegoryu]

Wow I can't believe people think that it's actually GOOD that freshmen are forced to pick a major in high school. Even if it is not a permanent decision, they don't seem to tell the kids that they can change it. They get the mind set that they must pursue that major, picking the right classes and putting time to study the major. It gives very little freedom. I've changed my mind on what I would like to be in the last three years (11th grade now) and I would have never chosen a major in my freshman year.

Going through highschool getting a broad education would better prepare a child for their future.

and supalflyz, you did not waste a year taking classes you didn't need to, you took those classes to realize you didnt' want to do w/e you were going for previously. No?

Who came up with this stupid idea? It does more bad than good.


I don't see any good in this unless the child is already definite about what they are pursuing. Like a child movie actor, sports, modeling. Otherwise the kids are JUST out of middle school, and starting to open their minds into the world (maybe not yet even).

[bigstick120]

Its a trend, just like everything else, clothing, cars ect. the education system has trends too. Why pick a major? B/C college students have no idea what they want to do when they enroll in college and take 6-7 years to complete a 4 year program

[ianiwane]

Originally Posted by bigstick120

Its a trend, just like everything else, clothing, cars ect. the education system has trends too. Why pick a major? B/C college students have no idea what they want to do when they enroll in college and take 6-7 years to complete a 4 year program

That is true but a lot of people taking 6-7 years have majors but decide to switch mid way in. Plus in my experience high school really has no bearing in how you will do in college. High school really does not mean much, kids should have fun in high school not stress about a major. I have friend who almost flunked high school (he cut a month of class in one semester) and went on to become a MD/DDS. Yet others that I know did really well in high school and are doing nothing with their lives now.

[slickwillislim]

My high school has academies that specialize in different "majors", business, art,... We also have magnet programs to attract people to our school. After reading the article it sounded kind of familiar...

Its not a big deal You still have to complete the regular state required curriculum all they are forcing you to do is commit your electives to a subject and try and advance yourself. I don't know how effective it will be at raising test scores though... Why would specializing in sports management help a student pass his reading and math tests? I can see how this could develop into a confining and limiting system if it progresses further into specialization but grouping your electives hardly seems drastic to me.

To many people walk out of high school taking the minimum because they can. I only need to take one class next year as a senior to get enough credits and the requirements neccessary to graduate. I didn't take any special classes after school or over the summer.

I am in a magnet program that specializes in nothing but challenging you. It has little focus on any subject. I had to pick 6 classes from a list It would have been nice to have the structure of a Major program to help me choose the classes that will progress me in that field.

[James From Cali]

I had slacked off so badly so far in high school that due to my credits I am at a 10th grade level. But when I was in a traditional school they had me take extra classes(Extra biology classes, art, and a buisness class) for marine biology and fashion. So that had set me back in the other classes. I dont think these schools understand how hard it is on most students. Sure in theory it sounds perfect "We will let them choose a major and allow them to get the skills needed while they do their regular school work". In reality it is just a PITA. When I got into homeschool they simply said we will help find a college for you when the time comes. You never know what you are going to want to do when you get older. Times definitely changed. I been saying I want to go into Marine Biology/Zoology/ or fashion for a while. But now Im also thoinking about Psychology. Schools are too strict when it comes to choosing a major. First day of freshman year I walk into the counselor's office and I am asked "What Major are you going to pursue". 4 years and I still remember how that sounds. lol