Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

In Search of Rigorous College Majors

As the title suggests, I'm curious about demanding majors in terms of curriculum rigor. Would appreciate any insights from college students or recent grads.

a year ago

It's great that you're contemplating academic challenges in college. The rigor of your college major can widely vary and depends on several factors, including your interest in the subjects, the college you attend, how the specific program of study is designed, and of course, your personal strengths and weaknesses.

Engineering programs, such as chemical, aerospace, or electrical engineering, are known for their academic demand. They typically require a substantial amount of homework, project-based assignments, laboratory work, and often incorporate internships or co-op programs for hands-on experience.

If sciences spark your interest, subjects like physics, chemistry, or pre-med programs can be quite demanding due to their significant laboratory and research components, coupled with difficult coursework.

In the realm of humanities, philosophy is often cited as a rigorous major. It requires strong analytical skills, the ability to understand complex theories, and a lot of reading and writing.

Lastly, mathematics also earns a mention. Advanced coursework in abstract algebra, real and complex analysis, topology, and number theory, among others, can be challenging even to those who are naturally good at math.

Remember, the key to handling a rigorous major is combining an area you're passionate about with a strong work ethic. While these fields are challenging, they're known for producing graduates with robust critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills - valued attributes in today's job market.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.