Three Obscure Majors You’ve Probably Never Heard Of -

Obscure Majors: A Clever Way to Make Yourself Stand Out

Computer Science, Business, Biology… the Regina George, Gretchen Wieners, and Karen Smith of college majors. But what about the Cady Herons? Let’s explore three obscure majors that will make you go, “Huh.”

1. Entomology

The giant cockroach scurrying across the pavement, the vampi—er, mosquito, that siphoned your blood and left a gargantuan bite on your leg… yep. That’s right—we’re talking BUGS!! Specifically, the study of them.

If you think bugs are cute, not creepy, you may want to major in Entomology. — Gif by luaart on Giphy

I know what you’re thinking: gross! And rightfully so. But hear me out: bugs are actually really cool.

Did you know spider silk is stronger than steel, and is currently being researched to make body armor? How about that fleas can jump up to 200 times their body length? That’s the equivalent of a human jumping over the length of a football field!

Why Study Insects?

Entomologists help us better understand insect biology and diversity to improve human and animal health, and create more sustainable practices to food production and preserving our ecosystems.

I know—a lot of us have been personally victimized by insects. However, researching and understanding them can drastically improve our economy, environment, and public health. After all, they are the most diverse group of animals on earth, and actually have a multitude of connections to human biology and even technology.

You know those pesky fruit flies hovering over your fruits? They’ve been extensively studied in genetics and developmental biology, and have even been used as models to study neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Who would’ve thought?

So you agree—you’re really interested in Entomology? If you’re itching to learn more, head to UC Davis’s website!

2. Classical Civilization

The Acropolis. The Colosseum. The Pantheon… I think you know where I’m headed.

If you guessed Greece or Italy, you’d almost be correct. We’re actually headed to the major, Classical Civilization, which is the study of ancient civilizations primarily in the Mediterranean.

Some obscure majors can prepare you for unexpected careers. Studying Classical Civilizations, for example, may lead to doing medical work. — Photo by Federico Di Dio photography on Unsplash

Why is this important?

Classics explores a variety of topics, including Greek and Roman mythology, (ancient) Latin and Greek, archeology, politics… I’d continue listing topics, but writing out an exhaustive list would be too, well, exhausting. That’s because many fields have their origins in the Classics; it’s a very complex and comprehensive field, and serves as an excellent stepping stone for careers in law, business, and medicine, to name a few.

That’s right—medicine. Medical school requires a lot of memorization… a skill you’ll master in Latin and Greek. Take it from Michael S. Hughes, who majored in Classics and went to Harvard Medical School:

“Besides all of the fancy [medical] terminology that gets thrown around that has its roots in Latin and Greek, classics teaches you not necessarily a lot of information but a lot of knowledge and a lot of skills.”

Who said the only way to prepare for a career in medicine was by majoring in biology?!

Become one with ancient civilizations by exploring Cornell’s Classics undergraduate program!

..and one more thing: semper ubi sub ubi (I’ll let you figure that one out).

3. Fiber Science

At Cornell University, where the Fiber Science major is found, fashion is a lifestyle—it’s a way of showing the world who we are. No matter how different our clothing is, everyone’s has one thing in common: it’s made of fibers. And it’s not just clothing, either. From jewelry, to furnishings, to even medical textiles, fibers are everywhere!

What is Fiber Science?

Fiber Science, which falls under the umbrella of Material Science and Engineering (!!), is the scientific study of fibrous materials; talk about unique and obscure! Don’t be fooled by its obscurity, though; studying it doesn’t exactly mean you’re going to be the next Coco Chanel (though, it might be possible). It’s actually the scientific aspects that Fiber Science stresses the most.

From engineering to chemistry, students explore the physical and chemical properties of fibers: how they’re made, and how principles of fiber science influence the design, fabrication, and function of products.

Obscure majors like Fiber Science might allow you to combine two unlikely interests: fashion and science).

Fashion intersecting science? Impossible.

It’s certainly possible, just not in the way you’re probably thinking. You know those hazmat suits that protect doctors from a zombie apocoly—I mean, infectious diseases, or the surgical gowns that protect clothing and skin from contamination? Individuals who studied fiber science likely contributed to the research, development, and improvement of those. Safe to say, students studying Fiber Science should love research, because they’ll be doing a lot of it!

Strut down to UT Austin’s website if you’re ready to bring it to the runway.

Closing Remarks on Obscure Majors

So, do you have to choose one of these obscure majors? Absolutely not. Do, however, take this as an opportunity to look past the norm. There are so many majors out there, and so many ways to connect them to your interests. Get in, everyone—we’re going (major) shopping!

-Julian

Looking for even more major options? Talk to one of our Apps Advisors to find the major that perfectly fits your interests and abilities.

Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

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A: In theory, I enjoy painting and writing poetry, but these days I actually spend most of my free time socializing or watching movies with my husband.

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A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

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