Undecided About Your College Major? Why Starting Exploratory at Siena is Your Biggest Advantage

It's one of the most common questions high school seniors get asked: "So, what are you going to major in?" If you don't have an instant answer, take a deep breath. At Siena University, being undecided isn't viewed as falling behind- it's an experience. With Siena's flexible curriculum, knowledgeable faculty mentors, and hands-on learning opportunities, starting out undecided gives you the freedom to test different fields before committing to the one that feels right for you. Here are some tips and tricks for navigating your path and making the most of being an undecided student.

Try Out Different Fields with Siena's Flexible Core Curriculum

When you enter college undecided, your first year is all about exploration. Siena's core curriculum allows you to take different business, science, and liberal arts courses without falling behind on graduation requirements. Take Lilia Livolsi '27. Livolsi entered Siena completely undecided. While exploring different introductory courses, she fell in love with both psychology and foreign languages. So, she took her interests found while exploring and made it her major, declaring a double major in Psychology and French with an International Studies minor. Her exploration ultimately led her to studying abroad in Quebec City. As an undecided student, trying out any field you think may interest you is a great way to explore, and you may just find the one (or ones!) that click.

Turn Your Curiosity into Real- World Research

You don't need a declared major to hands on research or land opportunities. Joining undergraduate research programs like Siena's Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA) lets you test-drive a field in the real world before committing to a degree. Catherine Williamson '27 is a perfect example. A Division I water polo player from South Africa, Catherine arrived with so many hobbies-piano, rock climbing, sports, and writing-that she couldn't pick just one focus. When her dad suggested marketing, she asked, "What even is that?" but decided to give an intro course a shot. She fell in love with consumer behavior and spent a summer conducting CURCA research using specialized equipment to measure people's physiological reactions toward sustainable, insect-based foods. Catherine's story is proof that starting with an open mind doesn't just help you find a major, it can also launch you into meaningful real-world research.

Don't be Afraid to Mash Up Unrelated Passions

What if your dream career sits at the intersection of two completely different subjects? At Siena, faculty mentors encourage you to connect different fields-whether that means creating a custom interdisciplinary major or adding a minor in the arts alongside a technical degree. Take Ashley Bonomi '25 as an example. She originally entered in biochemistry, but realized she wanted a career in law enforcement that combined social justice and hands-on science without spending all her time in a traditional lab. A faculty mentor suggested creating her own major across departments, an option for all Siena students. Thanks to this suggestion, Ashley created a Student Designed Interdisciplinary Major in Forensic Science. She completed an investigative genetic genealogy internship with DNA Finders solving cold cases and launched a career with New York State immediately after graduation. Ashley's journey is proof that if your dream major doesn't exist on paper yet, Siena gives you the freedom and faculty mentorship to build it yourself.

Quick Advice Checklist for Undecided Students

Don't Rush It: You have time during your freshman year to take general classes and explore different subjects without falling behind.

Talk to Your Professors: Faculty at Siena are super approachable and love helping exploratory students connect the dots between their skills and potential careers.

Build Your Own Path: If a pre-set major doesn't fit your goals, you can create a custom interdisciplinary major or pair technical majors with a creative minor.

Get Involved Right Away: Clubs, campus jobs, research projects, and internships are open to all students-declared major or not.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

You don't need your entire 10-year plan figured out today-you just need a place that supports you while you find it.

• Schedule a Campus Visit to check out campus and chat with current students.

• Check Out Our 120+ Majors, Minors, and Certificates to see what catches your eye.

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor to get answers to all your application questions.