Major Declaration Timeline 

The major declaration process officially beings in the second semester of your sophomore year. While most students declare in the spring, students who reach second-semester sophomore standing in the fall must declare during the fall semester instead. Use the timeline below to guide your path from exploration to final declaration.

 

First Year: Explore the Curriculum and Get Involved

· Practice Directed Exploration: Take gateway or intro courses in departments that interest you. These help fulfill General Education Expectations while serving as prerequisites if you decide to declare the major later.

· Get Advice: Review academic department pages, speak with your liberal arts advisor, connect with departmental advising experts, meet with an Academic Peer Advisor, talk with your family and friends, or consult your Class Dean.

· Get Involved: Explore your interests and build skills through campus and community involvement. Visit WesNest to see all the ways you can get engaged.

Sophomore Fall: Gather Information and Plan

· Connect with Academic Departments: Visit chairs, advising experts, and faculty to discuss their programs. Review the Guide to Choosing a Major and specific major requirements on academic department homepages. Use your courses to continue to explore the curriculum.

· Attend Major Open Houses (October/November): Attend Major Open Houses to meet faculty and current students in the major.  Learn about the major declaration process, types of classes you will take, and where alumni have taken their major beyond Wesleyan.

· Attend Major-Related Workshops: Attend major declaration workshops hosted by the Class Dean or career-related events sponsored by the Gordon Career Center.

· Meet with the Gordon Career Center (GCC): Schedule an appointment with the GCC to discover how different majors may support post-graduation opportunities and career paths. Get connected to alumni in your field of interest.

· November Course Registration: If you are torn between multiple fields, try to register for one introductory course in each area.

         -Pro Tip: Can’t get into a required gateway course? Speak directly with the department chair or                       advising expert as there may be an alternative pathway into the major.

Sophomore Spring: Declare Your Major

· February Notification: Look for an email from the Sophomore Class Dean with instructions on how to declare your major in Workday. Declare before course pre-registration begins later in the semester.

· Why the Deadline Matters: Declaring before course pre-registration gives you access to courses only open to those declared in the major.

 

Need Extra Support?

· Worried about meeting the deadline? Make an appointment with the Sophomore Class Dean as early as possible to talk through your situation.

· Feeling undecided? Take advantage of events and workshops hosted by the Class Deans’ Office and the Gordon Career Center during the fall semester.