For seniors around the world, now through the upcoming months are a very stressful time regarding college. Many students have begun making their choices on which college to attend, which brings about many questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about heading into college with detailed answers.

   “Do I have to choose a major?”: Nope! When students apply to colleges, most use Common App. In the application, students must signify which major they INTEND to pursue. This is not to say that a major will not change. Even so, students will not likely pursue classes pertaining to their major for a couple of years, as most students have a variety of general education courses to complete. This gives first-time college students an extensive period to decide what path they want to take. 

   “I was rejected from the school I wanted to go to . . . what now?”: If a student has been declined from a college or is offered a better opportunity for another, it is important to know that they have options. Do not panic! It is obviously a major inconvenience, especially when one has been planning for a college all along, but it can be a good thing. Students should have applied to other schools, and after a rejection it is important to evaluate all other options. This includes which other colleges were applied to, and most importantly, which is the most financially reasonable. If a college has offered a student money, they should strongly consider how that could help them in the long run with things like groceries, classes, textbooks, gas, the list goes on. Whatever college students end up going to, it is up to them to make it an amazing experience.

   “What’s the difference between a college and a university?”: In brief, colleges only offer undergraduate degrees, while universities offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees like masters. 

   “What are undergraduate and graduate degrees?”: Undergraduate degrees include those titled Associates or Bachelors. Graduate degrees include a Masters or Doctorate degree. 

   “When should I begin searching for jobs in college?”: Typically, it is recommended that students wait a year or two before searching for jobs during college. This is because managing a new, heavy school load simultaneously with a job can be a massive struggle, and will inhibit the college experience.

   There are many, many more questions from seniors entering college this year and these are just a few. If students find themselves struggling to follow all the steps before entering college, school counselors are always available, and college websites can be extremely helpful in guiding viewers through the process.