5 Hardest College Majors
5 Hardest College Majors
College is the first time in life when you get to make grownup decisions. Instead of dreaming of what you want to be when you grow up, you choose a major and put a plan in action. You will quickly realize that some college majors are much more challenging to complete than others. If you like a challenge, one of the hardest college majors is up to your alley. However, if you want a more effortless academic experience, avoid these majors.
1: Chemistry
Chemistry majors learn about the elements and the complex ways they combine. Students begin with a general course covering chemical equilibrium, periodic trends, and other topics before moving onto advanced classes that explore inorganic and organic chemistry. Students should excel in precise measurement, data analysis, and other vital skills upon finishing the coursework.
These courses are quite difficult, and low GPAs are relatively common. Economics professor Kevin Rask reviewed the records of students who attended an elite college from 2001-2009 and discovered the average GPA for chemistry majors was 2.78.
2: Mathematics
Mathematics majors study algebra, statistics, calculus, and other branches while exploring how numbers, patterns, and structures relate. The classes are designed to build upon one another, so each new course is an extension of the last. Many math majors also spend summers interning at accounting firms, financial institutions, and other companies to practice their skills. Majors walk away with skills that include abstract thinking, analysis, and logic. While some excel at the program, many do not. Rask’s research discovered that math majors earned an average 2.90 GPA.
3: Economics
Economics majors can expect to learn about wealth, incentive, and resource allocation, among other topics. Students typically begin with micro and macroeconomics courses and then move onto classes that cover international trade, labor economics, and other advanced topics. While some of the most intelligent students major in economics, Rask discovered that they earned an average GPA of 2.95.
4: Psychology
Although many people assume that psychology majors have schedules full of easy classes, that’s not the case. Students who declare this major can expect coursework that focuses on the science behind mental processes and human behavior. Upon graduation, students should understand the basics of reasoning, problem-solving, and research. This knowledge prepares them to move onto graduate school. However, Rask’s analysis discovered that psychology majors earned an average GPA of 2.98, meaning many cannot take the next step.
5: Biology
Biology majors study the processes, roles, functions, and characteristics of living organisms. Students can expect to divide their time between the classroom and the laboratory to study organisms and analyze results. Like psychology majors, students learn the skills they need to move onto a graduate-level program. With an average GPA of 3.02, not all students make the transition from undergraduate to graduate school.
Choosing a College Major
While these are the most challenging college majors, GPAs and coursework only tell part of the story. You also must consider your skillset. Don’t let historically low GPAs prevent you from following your dreams.