Declaring the major

To officially declare your major, the procedure is as follows:

1. You must write a short essay that outlines the intellectual project you hope to pursue in the context of your major. In this essay, you should identify the themes and questions you wish to explore, and discuss how you plan to do so. 
   
   If you propose to study abroad, you should include your rationale for the location and course of study you want to undertake. Most major declaration essays are 250-500 words, but they may be longer. A sample essay is availble for review. The final version of your essay should be attached to the major declaration form.
2. You should fill out the major declaration form, indicating which core courses you have completed and which you still need to take. If possible, indicate when you hope to fulfill outstanding requirements.
3. You are encouraged to choose a professor who will serve as your faculty mentor. Faculty mentors must be selected from the list of field committee members. You may already know a professor on the field committee with whom you would like to work closely during the next two years. If you do not, you might want to approach a professor responsible for teaching a class you plan to take as part of your major. The STIA Field Chair or the dean for STIA can also help you identify faculty mentors with scholarly interests similar to your own. You should arrange a meeting with the professor you would like to be your mentor, and bring your completed worksheet and the major declaration form to the meeting. Your faculty mentor or the filed Committee Chair must sign your major declaration form and your essay before you turn it in to the Dean?s Office. Please note that your mentor may ask you to revise your essay before he or she signs it.
4. Once your major declaration is complete and signed by you and your mentor, you must make an appointment for a sophomore review with the curricular dean. The purpose of the sophomore review is to assess your progress toward graduation and make you aware of remaining requirements and opportunities. During the meeting, the curricular dean will review your major declaration and core curriculum worksheet with you, and address any questions you may have.