Find your best‑fit college major
Short, practical quiz combining RIASEC interests and subject preferences. Get a personalized list of majors and example career paths.
Mapped across 7 clusters
Preferences to refine fit
RIASEC + subject boosts
Step 1 — Interests (RIASEC)
Step 2 — Subject preferences
Understanding your results
Your list is ranked by a blend of your top RIASEC codes and the subjects you selected. We start with majors that match your top two interest codes, then boost majors aligned to your preferred subjects (e.g., CS, math, bio). This gives you a practical short‑list to explore first.
How the scoring works
- RIASEC base: Your top two codes seed an initial pool of majors.
- Subject boosts: Each selected subject adds weight to related majors.
- Tie‑breakers: We favor majors that appear in both your interest pool and subject pool.
What to do with the list
- Open 2–3 major pages at your target schools; scan the required courses.
- Find the bottleneck course (the hardest one) and ask: “Am I willing to master this?”
- Talk to two juniors/seniors in the program and ask what surprised them.
Major spotlights (quick profiles)
Core: data structures, systems, algorithms. Projects and internships matter most.
Blend of business + tech. Databases, analytics, systems analysis, and teamwork.
Physics, CAD, prototyping. Hands‑on labs and math through differential equations.
Research methods + statistics. Many grads pair with HR, UX, or counseling paths.
Customer research, positioning, analytics. Portfolios with campaigns win interviews.
Typography, layout, brand systems, UX foundations. Strong portfolio = jobs.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Chasing salary alone: Look at daily tasks—not just averages. Enjoyable work sustains skill growth.
- Over‑optimizing the label: Double majors aren’t required for great outcomes; strong projects + internships often beat extra credits.
- Skipping the bottleneck: Preview the toughest course early with tutoring or study groups.
Next steps & resources
- Read How to choose a major and short‑list 2–3 programs.
- Skim RIASEC explained and write your top two codes on a sticky note.
- Do a 2‑week “taste test” project for your top option—create something you can show.
Educational use only. For personalized planning, speak with academic advisors.
Tips: choosing confidently
- Match interest fit to required coursework.
- Check sample syllabi and project examples.
- Talk to juniors/seniors in your program of interest.
- Try an internship or project before you commit.
What you’ll get (in 5 minutes)
- A ranked list of 12 majors based on your interests and subjects.
- Short career blurbs so you can see where each major can lead.
- Links to our best guides to keep momentum—no doom‑scrolling required.
- A sharable URL so friends, parents, or counselors can react with you.
Who this helps
- Explorers: you’re curious, not committed—get a short list fast.
- Switchers: pivoting majors? Compare new options in one place.
- Returners: going back to school—map interests to employable skills.
For parents & counselors
Use the results page as a conversation starter. Ask students what surprised them, which bottleneck courses worry them, and what small project they’ll try next.
We keep the language plain and the steps concrete so planning is easier.
Costs, aid, and scholarships
- Compare total credits: fewer extra credits = lower cost.
- Stack aid: institutional + state + private scholarships.
- Work‑study & internships: reduce debt and build a portfolio.
We’ll publish a scholarship checklist soon—join our updates in the blog.
Make a 2‑week test plan
- Pick one course from your top major and sample a syllabus or free MOOC.
- Build a tiny artifact (poster, script, dataset, sketch, spreadsheet model).
- Ask one person in the field for feedback. Iterate once.
Real samples beat guesswork. You’ll know quickly if the work feels right.
What’s coming next
- Side‑by‑side major comparison (courses, bottlenecks, outcomes).
- State‑by‑state program finders with admission basics.
- Scholarship finder starter list by major and GPA band.
Got ideas? Email everydayroyalties@gmail.com.
Explore majors by cluster
Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Aerospace, Industrial, Materials.
CS, Software Eng, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Info Systems.
Nursing, Public Health, SLP, OT/PT (pre), Kinesiology.
Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, Analytics, HR.
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Environmental.
Graphic/Industrial Design, Animation, Film, Journalism.
Political Science, IR, Public Admin, Criminal Justice.
Curriculum building blocks
- Foundations: intro courses that confirm fit (e.g., CS1, Gen Chem, Drawing I).
- Gatekeepers: bottleneck classes that require focused effort.
- Studios/Labs: where you practice and build artifacts.
- Capstone/Internship: tie it together for your portfolio.
Common bottlenecks by area
- Engineering: calculus sequence, statics/dynamics, circuits.
- Biological sciences: organic chemistry, genetics lab.
- Computing: data structures/algorithms, discrete math.
- Design: portfolio critiques, typography systems.
- Business: financial accounting, quantitative methods.
Use tutoring, office hours, and study groups early—before exams.
Transferable skills map
- Analysis: statistics, research methods, modeling.
- Making: prototyping, lab technique, design software.
- People: teaching, interviewing, leadership, teamwork.
- Communication: writing, presentations, data storytelling.
- Operations: planning, QA, budgeting, documentation.
Portfolio ideas by major
- CS/Data: small app, Kaggle notebook, API project.
- Design: brand system, UI mockups, poster series.
- Engineering: CAD model, Arduino prototype, FEA demo.
- Business: market analysis, growth experiment, dashboard.
- Health/Social: lit review summary, intervention plan, outreach.
Smart questions to ask an advisor
- Which courses make students change direction—and why?
- How do successful juniors build portfolios in this major?
- What’s the most common graduation delay and how do I avoid it?
- Which electives best complement this major for my goals?
Frequently compared majors (quick distinctions)
- CS vs Information Systems: CS = algorithms/systems; IS = tech + processes for business.
- Mechanical vs Industrial Eng: Mech = physical systems; IE = optimization of operations.
- Marketing vs PR: Marketing = revenue/growth; PR = reputation & media relationships.
- Biology vs Biochemistry: Biology = organisms/systems; Biochem = chemistry of life.
- Political Science vs Public Admin: PolSci = theory/policy; PA = running civic programs.
How to use this tool across all four years
Most students do not choose a major once and never revisit the decision. You can come back to this matcher at several key checkpoints and treat it as a structured reflection, not a one‑time quiz.
- Before enrolling: run the quiz, highlight 3–5 majors, and map them to real programs at your target schools.
- After your first semester: take the quiz again, now that you have actually completed a few college‑level classes.
- Mid‑degree: if you feel pulled toward a different path, compare your current major with 1–2 new options rather than starting from a blank page.
- Before graduation: use your current results to choose capstone projects, electives, and early career experiments that fit your profile.
Treat your results as a snapshot of your interests and energy right now—not a permanent label you are stuck with.
How parents and supporters can use the results
If you are a parent, guardian, or mentor, the best way to use this tool is as a listening aid. Rather than telling a student what to pick, ask them to walk you through their list and why certain options feel exciting or heavy.
- Ask which bottleneck courses worry them and why.
- Explore how different majors might line up with their energy levels and mental health.
- Talk about budget, time‑to‑graduation, and backup plans without turning the conversation into an interrogation.
The right major is usually a compromise between curiosity, capacity, finances, and life circumstances—not a perfect puzzle piece.
Running low-risk experiments before you commit
Before locking in a major, it can help to run small experiments that mimic the work you would do later. That could mean shadowing a professional for a day, completing a mini-project from a course syllabus, or volunteering in a related setting.
As you try these experiments, pay attention to how you feel during the unglamorous parts: drafting, editing, debugging, rehearsing, or reviewing data. Enjoying those repeatable tasks is a strong sign that you can sustain the path when the novelty wears off.
Non-linear paths are more common than you think
Many people build careers that do not match their original major title word-for-word. Internships, part-time jobs, side projects, and graduate programs all shape where you end up. The goal is not to predict every turn, but to choose a direction that teaches you broadly useful skills while keeping doors open.
Thinking in terms of skills and experiences rather than a single forever-label makes it easier to adapt when your interests or circumstances shift.
Learning to move forward even when you are not 100% sure
It is rare to feel absolute certainty about a major. Instead of waiting for a perfect signal, aim for “confident enough to run the next experiment.” Pick a direction that seems promising, clarify what you hope to learn in the coming semester, and notice what your experiences are teaching you.
A good question to keep asking yourself is, “What have I learned about the kind of work I can see myself doing more of?” That question grows with you instead of locking you in.
A simple checklist after you get your results
When the quiz suggests a few majors, take ten quiet minutes to jot down quick answers to these prompts for each option:
- What part of this path makes me curious enough to read more on my own?
- Which required courses worry me, and why?
- Can I picture myself doing the day-to-day work this degree trains me for?
- What questions do I want to bring to an advisor or mentor about this major?
Having written notes turns a vague feeling of “I don’t know” into a focused list of next steps.