1. How to Get the Most From the Exploratory Program Summer 2015

2. True or false?  A student’s college major determines her or his career path

3. False!

4. Got Evidence? 2006 Study 80,574 students - 87 colleges - 5 years Good grades closely related to having a major close to one’s personality and values. Congruence predicted overall (GPA) after five years better than ACT scores (Jones, 2012).

5. Bottom Line Good grades in your major are more important than your major.

6. It’s not about the job Millennials (b. 1977-97) will have 15-25 jobs in their adult working lives.  You may have even more.  Some of your jobs have not even been invented yet!

7. But what about the professions? Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Of 2010 applicant pool, medical schools accepted:  43 % biological sciences majors  47% physical sciences majors  51% humanities majors  45% social sciences majors “Medical students can develop the essential skills of acquiring, synthesizing, applying and communicating information through a wide variety of academic disciplines.”

8. Seriously? The American Bar Association : “The ABA does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline.” Top ten majors with highest law school acceptance rates:  Philosophy  Anthropology  History  English

9. Best advice Both organizations advise prospective applicants to:  choose majors that interest and challenge them  work hard for excellent grades  develop their research and writing skills  make the most of the opportunities that come their way

10. Integrative Core Curriculum has your back  Read  Write  Listen  Speak  Think critically  Analyze  Synthesize

11. What do students need to make a good choice?  Self knowledge  Educational knowledge  Occupational knowledge  Decision-making knowledge All cultivated in Exploring the Options course

12. Active Exploration is Key  Exploit resources  Take an Exploratory course or join a Career Services Group  Do the work of Exploration

13. The work of exploration can be play  Graduates frequently cite extra-curriculars as the introduction to their major and/or minor  Audition!  Play with the HomerConnect What-if button  IC Exploratory website CURRENT STUDENTS and RESOURCES pages have fun online toys for scouting majors and careers

14. Write this down! http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/exploratory/