As this spring's deadline for sophomores to declare their majors approaches, students still in limbo about their future academic careers will have the opportunity to learn more about Tufts' departments over the next several days as part of Majors Week.
Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Education, Majors Week began yesterday and will last through Friday. Over 20 departments and programs will host events during this period, and according to Coordinator of Scholarship and Enrichment Programs Kate Nash, enthusiasm is running high among them. "Departments and programs are very interested in being involved and in informing students about what they have to offer," Nash, the coordinator of this year's Majors Week, said in an e-mail.
The economics department will be among them and will have an open house for prospective majors today. "The reception is an opportunity for prospective majors to ask questions about the major," Associate Professor of Economics Thomas Downes said. He said that there are generally one or two faculty members at the reception.
According to Assistant Professor of Sociology Sarah Sobieraj, her department's event, which will be held on Thursday, will also try to foster conversation in a loose, informal setting.
"We are looking for an opportunity to socialize with the students we have in class, to present them an opportunity to socialize with one another, and to reach out to students who may be interested in sociology and welcome them into the fold," she said.
Many professors agreed that these events are important and popular among students. Downes said that an average of 30 to 40 students attend the economics event.
"I do think these events do help students decide on a major or majors," he said. "I am sure that some prospective majors find that the events provide them with useful information as they are making their major choice."
Sobieraj agreed. "For students, I think attending is certainly important," she said. "It helps connect them to other people with similar interests and [it] is a form of community building. Ideally, it helps a major feel less like a thing and more a part of who you are."
Sophomore Christine Lee said that she plans on taking advantage of Majors Week, noting it "could be really beneficial for students who are undecided.
"Even for students who have tentative majors it's useful because they can learn more about their other options," she said.
Sophomore Lisa Chow also will take part. She said that the events can offer the type of information that the departments' literature cannot. "I'm more interested in learning what students are doing with their majors than in the major requirements themselves, since all that information is in the department handbooks," she said. "I'm also looking for potential advisors, and I think the open houses are a good way to meet professors [that] I haven't had for classes."
Though the event has just begun this year, Nash sees potential room for improvement next year. Holding the event earlier in the year, she said, is something that is being considered.
"While not much has changed this year, we are looking into holding Majors Week in the fall next year to give sophomores in [the School of Arts and Sciences] more time to gather information before declaring," she said.
