College son doesn't know what to study yet

I guess he likes math but medicine, philosophy, and technology are where it's at. Maybe an architect or structural engineer could use a math major.

If he is attending a college/university with a wide range of departments, he can enroll in a wide range of courses first semester and see what he enjoys more/most.

I think it's ok. He's still a kid. He'll figure it out. Try not to worry. Some people. know right off what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Some have know idea. I am one of those people. Not a clue of what to do with y life. Then before you know it, it happens. It'll work out.

I'm studying math and philosophy for my undergrad right now. My thought process is that I might as well enrich myself while I'm there. It doesn't really matter what you study for undergrad so long as you have a good GPA and go to a prestigious school.

Northeast Dad wrote:

My son is a high school senior and currently has a 4.1 GPA. However, he does not yet know what he wants to study. He's considering a math major and philosophy minor with the thought that he would be prepared for most any future career or graduate school. Would like to hear other opinions.

Consider this:

Used to be Rono wrote:

Northeast Dad wrote:

My son is a high school senior and currently has a 4.1 GPA. However, he does not yet know what he wants to study. He's considering a math major and philosophy minor with the thought that he would be prepared for most any future career or graduate school. Would like to hear other opinions.

Consider this:

https://www.sustainabilitydegrees.com/degrees/

Please don't. He sounds way too smart for that.

Atavist wrote:

I'm studying math and philosophy for my undergrad right now. My thought process is that I might as well enrich myself while I'm there. It doesn't really matter what you study for undergrad so long as you have a good GPA and go to a prestigious school.

Americans now have over a trillion dollars in student loan debt thanks to this kind of thinking.

can't tell if serious wrote:

Used to be Rono wrote:

Consider this:

https://www.sustainabilitydegrees.com/degrees/

Please don't. He sounds way too smart for that.

Dead serious. Keep sleeping, my friend.

More parents need to leave their precious kiddos alone and let them figure it out. You may know this, although probably not, that your influence on him in this decision-making is likely not to be helpful to his development, and very likely to generate resentment later, when he decides that he would have rather studied something else. Parents, leave your kids alone.

Yeppidy Doo wrote:

More parents need to leave their precious kiddos alone and let them figure it out. You may know this, although probably not, that your influence on him in this decision-making is likely not to be helpful to his development, and very likely to generate resentment later, when he decides that he would have rather studied something else. Parents, leave your kids alone.

Not everyone hates their parents, dude - especially if they're paying for their college.

My callers like these are the result of bad parenting whose kids followed their hearts:

Northeast Dad wrote:

My son is a high school senior and currently has a 4.1 GPA. However, he does not yet know what he wants to study. He's considering a math major and philosophy minor with the thought that he would be prepared for most any future career or graduate school. Would like to hear other opinions.

Philosophy majors kick ass on the LSAT, FYI.

If you're really Dave Ramsey, now I think you're an idiot. In this world of helicopter parents, kids need to learn to think for themselves and grow the hell up. Mommy and Daddy don't need to hover over every decision, and sages like you don't need to push the parents to push the kids. How about you STFU?

Dave Ramsey wrote:

Yeppidy Doo wrote:

More parents need to leave their precious kiddos alone and let them figure it out. You may know this, although probably not, that your influence on him in this decision-making is likely not to be helpful to his development, and very likely to generate resentment later, when he decides that he would have rather studied something else. Parents, leave your kids alone.

Not everyone hates their parents, dude - especially if they're paying for their college.

My callers like these are the result of bad parenting whose kids followed their hearts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UzdN1Hyc5w

Yeppidy Doo wrote:

If you're really Dave Ramsey, now I think you're an idiot. In this world of helicopter parents, kids need to learn to think for themselves and grow the hell up. Mommy and Daddy don't need to hover over every decision, and sages like you don't need to push the parents to push the kids. How about you STFU?

Sorry, brother, I've helped millions more Americans get out of debt than anyone else combined, so I'm not going to STFU any time soon. 17-year-old kids aren't equipped to make decisions with so many zeros on the end. Not by themselves, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

FitzyXC wrote:

Philosophy majors kick ass on the LSAT, FYI.

Translation: Philosophy majors have no career options so they're forced to go to law school

Math is better studied in college in the context of another subject that uses it (e.g., Physical Sciences, Engineering). Unless he wants to teach Math, and then you'd want to an Education major (and get a teaching credential) with a Math major/minor. Philosophy is also better studied in college in the context of another subject. Some majors are more "rigid" with the class offerings with a sequence of classes that starts Fall term of the freshman year, and if you miss that sequence or you change majors, then you may be on the 5-year plan.

If your son is in high school, have him meet with a counselor to discuss majors and career interests, and that should help guide college choices. Ideally you want to have a similar conversation prior to starting college with an academic advisor and a career counselor who could tell you what the job placement rates were like for (Math) graduates to get jobs in (Math) within 9 months of graduating and what the internships/co-op opportunities are before graduating. Ask about on-campus recruiting in a previous year with regard to companies visiting campus and recruiting new graduates in which majors. Typically it's engineering, computer science, business, and education being in the most demand. Graduate school should be a "plan B". You'd like to know that you have some solid career options when you finish the BA/BS.

Dave Ramsey wrote:

Yeppidy Doo wrote:

If you're really Dave Ramsey, now I think you're an idiot. In this world of helicopter parents, kids need to learn to think for themselves and grow the hell up. Mommy and Daddy don't need to hover over every decision, and sages like you don't need to push the parents to push the kids. How about you STFU?

Sorry, brother, I've helped millions more Americans get out of debt than anyone else combined, so I'm not going to STFU any time soon. 17-year-old kids aren't equipped to make decisions with so many zeros on the end. Not by themselves, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

You were very kind to explain this reality to the Excitable Boy, who is clearly working through some anger issues. Props to you, Dave...

Northeast Dad wrote:

Would like to hear other opinions.

I hope you have not already applied and paid for his college. He should have his major decided BEFORE applying. He can change it afterward, but you should at least have a plan going in.

Seriously, would you go grocery shopping blindfolded? Would you buy a car without knowing what car it is? Of course not, so why are you (you = general population) so cavalier about paying $100,000 when you wouldn't buy a $1 piece of fruit blind.

Northeast Dad wrote:

My son is a high school senior and currently has a 4.1 GPA. However, he does not yet know what he wants to study. He's considering a math major and philosophy minor with the thought that he would be prepared for most any future career or graduate school. Would like to hear other opinions.

This is reasonable thinking. He doesn't really need to decide on a major for a few years unless he goes to a gigantic state school and plans to be done in four years.

There is not much to think about here. A math major is a fantastic choice. Tell him to go for it!