Exploratory Students
Start exploratory, finish strong
What does it mean to be an Exploratory student at IU? It means you start without declaring a major, giving you more time to explore options.
It could also mean you are ahead of your peers, the majority of whom will change their major in their first year.
As an Exploratory student, you will follow a process of finding your major with the guidance of your AMES advisor and your CESE career coach, and input from IU Peer Coaches, to make a well-informed choice to find a major that fits you and your goals for college and career.
Exploratory is smart. Learn all your options and make a well-informed decision. Students who explore before declaring a major are less likely to change their major.
Exploratory leads to marketable skills. Many Exploratory students are able to broaden their academic credentials with a second major or minors and pursue co-curricular and involvement experiences to build their resume.
Whether you enter IUB as Exploratory or you become Exploratory later on, Advising & Major Exploration Services and Career Exploration & Student Employment are ready to help you get started.
Frequently asked questions
For Exploratory students in AMES, to ensure they make appropriate progress toward completion of a degree, we require students in the following groups to meet with an advisor to discuss their plans before enrolling for the next semester.
- Students who started at IU Bloomington as a new college student are required to enter a degree-granting program by the end of their third semester of enrollment (excluding summers)
- Transfer students are required to enter a degree-granting program by the end of their second semester of enrollment at Indiana University-Bloomington (excluding summers).
It is likely you will be able to graduate in 4 years, but it depends. Statistically we have found that most students who decide on a major within their first 2 years will graduate on time. However, to be up front, there are some IU programs where it is critical to take the first introductory courses in the first year to be able to finish in 8 semesters/4 years. This is one reason why it is important to discuss all your interests with your advisor during orientation and your first semester.
If you would like to graduate in four years, your best plan is to explore right away and to take classes that excite you.