How to declare a major

The first step is to decide what major you want to declare. Take a class or two, talk with faculty members, use the information on this web page. Most students declare their major in spring of their sophomore year, but if you follow the advice on this web page you will already have taken a good chunk of the major by that time. Therefore you should feel free to consult any faculty member for advice even before you formally declare.

When you know what you want to do, see the Department Chair during office hours. Bring with you:

--Major Form (get it from the Registrar, Milbank 107))
--Major Requirements Declaration form (get it from the department office, Lehman 4.)
--A tentative plan for how you intend to fulfill the major requirements (use the Major Requirements Declaration form). Keep in mind our Tips and Caveats.
--A tentative preference for who you would like to have as your major advisor. This is someone who will sign your program each semester, not necessarily the same person who will eventually advise your senior thesis.

The Department Chair will discuss your plan with you, assign you an advisor, and sign your Major Form. When you return the Major Form to the Registrar, a process is triggered that makes your transcript and program accessible to your major advisor.

We keep a copy of the Major Form and the Major Requirements Declaration form in the department office, along with any other correspondence that may accumulate concerning your major. Your file is open to your inspection at any time. It is a good idea to check it occasionally to make sure that the information is correct and up to date. One reason to do so is that we calculate major GPA using only the courses listed on your most recently filed Major Requirements Declaration.