Choosing the right school is a complex task and possibly one of the most important decisions you'll ever make in life.
When selecting a university, you need to consider a variety of factors big and small; as we mentioned in an earlier article, opinions online, advice from professors, insights from seniors, and suggestions from consultants, all these sources can leave you confused and struggling to find your focus, especially when they contain quite a few contradictory pieces of advice.
If you have to lean towards either choosing a university or a major in your study abroad plans, which one actually matters more?
For this dilemma that many grapple with, a persistent elite-university complex may easily lead people to prioritize school selection first—getting into a prestigious university even with a major you're not too keen on might also seem like a good choice. But what is truly the wiser move?
Some believe choosing the university matters more than the major.
Because the way students acquire knowledge has changed, universities should no longer be places solely for imparting knowledge but primary venues for shaping values and cultivating abilities. Therefore, choosing a university is essentially choosing a set of values, a culture, and a spirit. The choice of major may not be that important, unless a student is determined to dedicate themselves to a particular academic field or disciplinary direction.
This argument sounds quite reasonable; if you are merely seeking the edification of a general education, your major may not seem so important. But when considering future concrete development, this view may not be as appropriate as initially thought.
The Economist once conducted a survey on the choice and return of American universities. Big data shows: in terms of future income levels, "what you study" matters more than "where you study."
Horizontal axis of chart: school acceptance rate. Moving to the right, higher acceptance rates indicate less selective schools; to the left, lower acceptance rates indicate relatively better schools.
Vertical axis of chart: return on investment (ROI). Higher up means higher ROI.
Blue dots: arts/humanities and related majors
Red dots: engineering/computer science/math and related majors
Sample: 240 U.S. colleges and universities
Each dot: represents a student from a different school, showing varying educational ROI.
Conclusion
Engineering/comp sci/math and related majors: Students from top schools and those from relatively lower-ranked schools have average ROI that basically runs parallel.
Humanities majors: there is a certain gap in average ROI between students from good schools and those from average schools.
So, if considering salary, what matters is not which prestigious university you attend, but what major you study. Attending a good university is certainly worth the investment, but that value might expire. The professional knowledge you gain is more important than where you study it. As illustrated in the following chart:
From the chart data, we can see that business/management, engineering, and math/computer science (followed by social sciences, life sciences, arts, English, health, humanities, education, and agriculture) are the three most popular majors for international students, with over half choosing one of these three.
In the past four years, English language programs have seen the greatest increase in popularity among all majors, growing by 67%. More and more international students apply for ESL programs as a bridge to familiarize themselves with American culture and language before formal enrollment. Students who complete an ESL program tend to feel more confident when applying to other majors.
Arts majors also saw a significant rise, increasing by 43% compared to the previous year. Math/computer science and engineering grew by 50% and 34% respectively.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) majors remain in explosive demand.
Choosing a major is difficult but also exciting; selecting the right major is something every student planning to study abroad must consider.
So, in the process of choosing your target schools, faced with so many majors, how exactly should you pick the right one? If you're undecided, the following tips may help you make the right choice.
How to Choose a Major
Take Time to Research Courses That Interest You
Learn about as many courses across different schools as possible. This is the best way to understand your potential major—sometimes a major you originally weren't interested in might gain new appeal once you learn more about it.
You might already know what you want to do, but don't be confined by that idea—until you truly make a decision, you can explore other possibilities until you find a major that genuinely fits you.
Many people start off certain they'll pursue economics but end up in the math department. What you need is curiosity—curiosity about every opportunity to learn about other fields.
Consult Your Professors and Upperclassmen
The most convenient way is to consult your professors or upperclassmen at your target schools—your instructors can give you some practical experience and advice.
Likewise, seniors at your target schools can tell you what they like and what they can’t stand about the programs; they have the most to say about the majors and schools.
You can find them on university websites or social media, and try asking them why they initially chose that major. Talking to some professors is also essential—some programs may mislead you by their names alone, and many majors have numerous sub-fields that you need to clarify beforehand.
Don't Forget to Study the Map When Choosing a Major
It's certainly best if you have a plan for your future development. Some students might think that geographic location only matters when choosing a school, but that's not the case.
When you settle on a major, you should also think about the city where you want to live in the future—figure out which city will most need talent in your field after graduation: a big city or a small town?
In fact, many international students go abroad for a high-paying job and good status, but these jobs and opportunities often exist primarily in big cities.
Choosing a major is also a chance for a fresh start in life. I hope you can prepare accordingly for such an important decision—consider all aspects when picking a major, seriously think about your ideal future life, and plan your career well, and know what you want. That way you'll be more likely to land your dream job.
Program Selection Criteria
To give students a more intuitive and concrete reference when choosing schools and programs, we provide here 7 key criteria for selecting the right graduate program:
Admission Requirements
Do you meet the admission requirements of the graduate programs you're considering? If not, specifically which requirements are not met? Every reputable graduate program has corresponding admission requirements, such as GPA, TOEFL/GRE scores, and undergraduate major. Generally, a graduate program with a high reputation usually sets relatively strict and comprehensive admission policies.
Acceptance Rate & Yield
Typically, we evaluate a program’s admissions scenario using two hard metrics: acceptance rate and yield. Most prestigious universities rigorously assess applicants and strictly control acceptance rates. Stanford’s 6% and Harvard’s 11% acceptance rates attest to their stringent and meticulous selection processes and extremely high standards. Yield is the percentage of admitted candidates who actually choose to enroll. If the program you apply to has a high yield, it indicates that from the applicants’ perspective, the program is quite popular.
Employment Data
Why do we apply to high-profile, prestigious institutions? Because programs at these renowned schools often represent abundant job opportunities and promising career prospects. Therefore, understanding a program’s employment data is also an important indicator for judging whether it meets your expectations. When you look at the 2017 QS Graduate Employability Rankings, you’ll notice they hardly differ from other comprehensive university rankings: the top spots are still occupied by those familiar names—Stanford, MIT, Columbia, Berkeley, Princeton, etc.
Alumni Culture
A strong alumni culture can greatly enhance a school’s vitality and effectiveness. The mutual bond between outstanding alumni and their alma mater not only brings new energy to the existing educational system but also offers many additional opportunities for current students—you can network with distinguished alumni and even secure direct help like internships and job opportunities.
Faculty
Imagine what it would be like to have a Nobel laureate or a world-renowned author as your professor. The faculty at top universities is typically made up of such first-rate talents; they not only provide profound insights but also inspire you to explore beyond the curriculum. Learning from the most outstanding scholars in the world, playing with your phone in class would be sheer madness.
Infrastructure
From cutting-edge cell research equipment to fully equipped, large-scale data labs, and 24-hour libraries and gyms, we always hope to enjoy the best facilities a school can offer. Good infrastructure not only strongly supports academic research but also brings more options for extracurricular life.
Academic Environment
Absolutely rigorous academics, passionately delivered lectures, a vibrant campus culture, similarly outstanding peers, and countless personal growth opportunities—all these factors combine to shape the best and most comfortable learning environment. When considering a program’s environment, focus on whether its curriculum design is student-centered. Curriculum design includes teaching styles, syllabi, classroom activities, and other instructional aspects. You can learn about the following specific areas through official websites, seniors, etc., to judge whether the program meets your requirement of being “student-centered”:
- Conceptual learning: should be a perfect blend of theory and practice.
- Self-learning and research
- Peer projects and collaborative assignments
- Field trips and excursions
- Continuous and holistic evaluation process
- Exchange programs
- Internships: Top universities usually partner with renowned companies and organizations to offer numerous internship opportunities, especially during the summer.
A perfect plan is half the battle of a successful application. When choosing a study abroad program, thoroughly and carefully checking whether it meets the above criteria can make your school selection process more rational and efficient. Of course, beyond these, you might also consider factors like geographic location and accommodation. But remember, always keep an open mind about school choices. The final selection might surprise you; and you will gain many previously unknown insights along the way.
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