Business is the most popular intended college major of current high school juniors and seniors, according to a survey by Niche, the widely used college rating and review platform. Niche interviewed close to a million high school students in the graduating classes of 2022 and 2023, and evaluated data collected through January of 2022. The top five anticipated majors for both classes are Business, Nursing, Psychology, Biology and Medicine/Pre-Medicine.
When asked to identify areas of interest, current high school seniors also selected the fields of Engineering, Computer Science, Education, Criminal Justice, Health Professions and Kinesiology & Physical Therapy.
Factors students take into account when considering their college major and future careers are potential earnings, prospects for fulfillment, and engaging in a field that they find interesting.
It’s extremely beneficial for students to choose a major before embarking on their college studies as it greatly increases the likelihood that they will be able to complete their degree within four years. Having a career plan also helps students to identify best-fit colleges.
For example, New Jersey students seeking a business degree at a relatively nearby school will find that the University of Pennsylvania and New York University (NYU) top the rankings in the business areas of Finance, Management, Marketing, and Real Estate. Temple University in Philadelphia and St. John’s University in New York City are recognized for their Insurance/Risk Management programs.
Top nursing programs in the New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area are offered at NYU, Stony Brook University, Molloy College, Adelphi University, Rutgers University, The College of New Jersey, Villanova University, Penn State University, and Thomas Jefferson University.
Students seeking a career in the medical field, who are specifically interested in a Physician Assistant or Physical Therapy degree, can particularly benefit from identifying their major in advance. There are “direct entry” programs for both of these fields that allow students to move seamlessly from their undergraduate studies through their graduate level studies without taking entrance exams or re-applying for admission. Another benefit is that the total education time is significantly reduced. Hofstra University and Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, both in NY, offer direct entry Physician Assistant programs that take 3 years (undergraduate) plus 28 months (graduate) to earn a degree. Pennsylvania schools with similar programs include De Sales University, King’s College, Thomas Jefferson University and Duquesne University.
Direct entry Physical Therapy programs are offered at a multitude of schools in the tri-state area including De Sales University, Drexel University, Ithaca College, and Seton Hall University. Students earn their bachelor’s degree as well as their doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) within six years of study.
Students with a plan for their future career can most easily identify best-fit colleges to help them meet their goals.
Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362
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