The decision about your major is an important one. It is a decision that will affect the way you look at the world around you, but it will not determine once and for all who you are and how you will live your life. When you think about choosing a department, you should consider your skills, interests, aspirations, and values, as well each department's special strengths and weaknesses, its requirements, its opportunities for interdisciplinary study, the accessibility of its faculty members, whether or not you will be supported in your choice of independent work projects, and more. The links, resources, and events you will find on this page have been compiled by the directors of studies in the residential colleges in collaboration with peer advisers and departmental representatives to assist you in making informed choices about which major to select by the end of your sophomore year at Princeton. We encourage you to draw on these resources as you explore potential majors (and certificates), get guidance from your peers and academic advisers, and ultimately pick a path that is right for you.

Welcome, class of 2012! As you choose courses for this fall, keep in mind that freshman year is a time to explore a variety of different subjects. You may be surprised by what departments excite you at Princeton! Have you had further thoughts about your course selection or possible majors over the summer? Take advantage of the resources below for good advice. Here are six ways to explore potential majors:

• Consult your residential college faculty advisers or peer advisers
• Meet with your residential college Dean or Director of Studies
• Speak to departmental faculty contacts
• Talk to majors
• Attend departmental open houses during Freshman Orientation
• Attend Major Choices events

Laura K.O. Smith '05

"The people are what made geology so special to me. No other major allows one to spend so much time outside of a classroom with peers and professors. "

Mittie Kelleher Doyle '86, MD

"Modern medicine is desperately in need of humanists in the midst of the rapidly growing technological advances of modern medicine; I cannot imagine better preparation for this pursuit than a Princeton liberal arts degree."

Lindsey Olson '08

"Graduating in the spring is...daunting to me...but daunting because I have too many amazing choices, daunting in a way that allows me to do anything I want to do. I know that having majored in Sociology allowed me the freedom to really consider my options and grow organically into a future I know I will love instead of picking the destination from the start."