One important factor in selecting a college is your chosen course of study, your major. Does the college have the degree program that you are interested in? What are the strongest majors? Is yours among the top three?

(That said, it's OK not to have a major your first year of college. Actually it's "healthy." You can register "undecided" and take a more general course of study for one year. However, by your sophomore year you need to be focusing in on a more specific area of study so that you are not behind in prerequisite courses going into your junior year.)

1. There are three factors to consider when picking a major: employability, satisfaction, and necessary skills required.

a. employability - Will there be a demand for employees in your chosen field when you graduate?

b. satisfaction - No one wants to spend the rest of their life in a career that does not appeal to them for the sake of money alone. Look for majors in your areas of interest!

c. necessary skills required - Do I have the skills and aptitude to meet the requirements of this major? You need to be realistic.

2. How do you determine a major and a career from your areas of interest?

Use information gathered from PLAN and ASVAB testing.

Do community service or take a summer job in an area that might interest you.

Get an internship.

"Shadow" or interview someone in a given career about their job.

Study on your own (your local library is a great source of information).