This past weekend, seniors got to celebrate the November 1st Early Action + Early Decision deadline, wrapping up the college application process. As the Class of ‘25 applied to schools all across the country, they decided on specific majors they’d like to pursue in college. I surveyed several seniors to discover the most popular potential majors within the Class of ‘25.

For both desired majors and minors, STEM subjects were in the vast majority. More than half of the seniors interviewed applied to college as a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics major. Some specific popular STEM majors include Neuroscience, Computer Science, Biology, and Psychology. Students who opt for such majors often follow a Pre-Med or Pre-Engineering track, two career choices popular among every graduating class. This high percentage of students hoping to go into STEM is no surprise, as nearly every Brebeuf student tries their hand at an AP STEM class before graduating. Some examples include AP Computer Science, AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP Environmental Science.

The second most popular major among the seniors were Public & Social Services majors, most prominently Law and Legal Studies. The Pre-Law track, similar to Pre-Med, is a highly popular choice in terms of career paths. Aspiring law students at Brebeuf have many avenues to pursue their goals, such as our flourishing Speech and Debate team, our Pre-Law Club, and the new Mock Trial Club. These outlets have inspired some of the Class of ‘25 to pursue majors on the Pre-Law track such as Political Science, Communications, and Global Politics.

When it came to the minors, Public & Social Services came in third place behind Business. Seeing as our state is home to one of the best business schools in the country, the IU Kelley School of Business, the popularity of the Business minor does not come as a surprise. If not pursued as a student’s primary study, a minor like Economics, Marketing, or Accounting can help a Pre-Med or Pre-Law student create a private enterprise down the line. In any case, learning Business to some degree in college gives students the knowledge on how to start up their own company, an excellent fallback for those who don’t feel suited to working for a firm.

The Class of ‘25 is an ambitious group of students who are not afraid to shy away from challenging majors. More importantly, they are getting the chance to explore their passions academically, sure to set themselves up for a great undergraduate experience and eventual career.