This page has all the information you need to choose, plan, and declare your major. Please note that many of the links on this page require that you log into GrinnellShare.
Each Grinnellian declares a major before registering for their fifth semester. For most students, this happens in early March (of their fourth semester).
Declaring a major combines three things: identifying an adviser in that department, creating a comprehensive four-year plan, and writing a rationale. Four-year planning is done with both support from the Tutorial adviser and in consultation with the new adviser. The Choosing and Declaring a Major flowchart shows these steps clearly.
Choose a Major
Your first step is to choose a major. Some students have an idea and never waiver. If this sounds like you, skip this section and move to the next one. Most students are uncertain or are considering a few options. If you have not yet decided on a major, here are steps you can take, in any order.
- Look at lists of all Grinnell's majors and concentrations. Narrow it down to 2-3 options. Consider your intellectual interests in addition to your goals after graduation.
- See what each of your potential majors entail. Use the Departmental Advising Guide to see sample four-year plans and other information about each department. What is required for each major? Are requirements more like chains (sequences of courses) or buckets (requirements grouped by theme)? Look at pre-requisites, upper-level courses, and other details. Imagine yourself engaging these sub-fields, skill-building and learning tasks.
- Talk with your current adviser and with faculty who are not your adviser. Faculty in different disciplines or who know you in different learning contexts can provide insight.
- The CLS can be a helpful partner as you consider whether and how choosing a specific major intersects with or influences your post-graduate journey. Schedule a consultation with a CLS adviser.
- Explore extensive CLS advice about choosing your major.
- It can be strategic to do parallel planning for multiple majors so you have an alternative pathways.
- An independent major requires extensive advanced preparation. It has specific requirements and requires 2 advisers, so you won’t be able to wait until just before the declaration deadline to plan: Independent Major Declaration form.
Declare Your Major
Declaring a major requires several steps that, done quickly, might be accomplished within a week, but are more comfortably accomplished over a month or two. Some departments allow students to declare any time after the first semester; others have specified processes.
The basic steps:
- Identify a new major adviser based on faculty availability in the department and (sometimes) a departmental process. See our Finding a Major Adviser handout for more information.
- Develop a four-year plan.
- Write a rationale.
- Fill out the Major Declaration or Change of Major form, then gather signatures from your new adviser and the department chair.
Concentrations
Concentrations are optional opportunities to pursue a cohesive area of study that typically spans disciplines; they are similar to a minor in scope. Students need to declare a major before they can declare a concentration. The deadline to declare a concentration is no later than pre-registration of your seventh semester. You must complete and submit the following documents:
Need Help?
If you have questions or looking for more information? Speak with your faculty adviser or meet with someone in the Academic Success Center.