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[quote=Anonymous]It sounds like your kid may be interested in a STEM major.  For those majors, it's more important to have an idea about your major earlier because so many of the classes have to be taken in sequence.  That said, it probably doesn't matter if they are interested in chem, biochem, physics, CS, etc--most of the core classes are the same for at least the first year.  It's just harder to switch to STEM and graduate on time if you start as a music, art or English major.

My suggestion would be to have your kid start doing some research, but not necessarily decide on a major.  Look at lists of required classes for each major from potential colleges?  Which classes sound fun?  Is your kid interested in getting a PhD?  If not, then perhaps nix majors like chem and bio where advanced degrees are more necessary.  Majors like CS or environmental engineering are less likely to require grad school.  Talk to career services at potential schools to see where grads in those majors typically end up.  Talk and daydream about possibilities.  Try out electives or watch TED talks in the areas of interest.  Eventually one path will feel right.  Your kid has lots of time to decide, but it doesn't hurt to start thinking.  There are lots of majors and occupations that probably aren't even on your radar that may be the perfect fit.[/quote]

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