Finding the Right Fit: How TCU Students Chose Their Majors

Choosing a college major can feel overwhelming for prospective and admitted students. With applications and enrollment decisions, one question often rises to the top: What am I going to major in? 

At TCU, that uncertainty is not only normal — it’s expected. For many Horned Frogs, finding the right major wasn’t about having a perfect plan on day one. It was about exploring interests, leaning on advisors and mentors and letting real experiences guide their decisions. 

Turning Inspiration into Purpose

For secondary education student and Community Scholar Amerie Stoker ’29 of Fort Worth, the path to her major started in her fourth-grade classroom. 

“I had one teacher in fourth grade who made school feel like home to me; I want to give back to my community in that way,” Stoker says. 

That early experience sparked her desire to teach, but her interests didn’t stop there. As she thought more about how she wanted to make an impact, she began to see education and mathematics as tools for empowerment, especially in her own community. By pairing education studies with accounting, Stoker found a way to blend passion with practicality. 

With guidance from academic advisors, she mapped out a path that honored both her love of teaching and her interest in financial literacy. At TCU, she’s discovered that choosing a major didn’t mean choosing just one version of herself; it means creating a path that reflects all her interests. 

Following a Calling and Making It Your Own 

Nursing student Vanessa Jones ’29 of Rowlett, Texas, always knew health care would play a role in her future. 

“I come from a line of health care professionals, so the health field was always going to be a part of my life,” Jones says. 

But it was her hands-on experience in high school pharmacy work that helped her narrow her focus. Working in a hospital setting and interacting with patients showed her what mattered most to her day-to-day: connection, compassion and care. 

“Nursing combines my love of caring for people and brightening their day with the academic rigor and studying something challenging,” she explains. 

At TCU, Jones found a program that allows her to challenge herself academically while staying grounded in her purpose. Her journey reflects how exposure and experience paired with strong advising can help students refine a broad interest into a meaningful, fulfilling major. 

Embracing the Pivot 

Chancellor Scholar Mekhiya Matthews ’29 of Dallas didn’t take a direct path to engineering; and looking back, she wouldn’t change a thing. 

“Originally, I wanted to be an accountant, but I’ve dabbled in graphic design; I’m a very creative person. I also love math and physics,” Matthews explains. 

Instead of forcing herself into one box, Matthews leaned into exploration. Through coursework and conversations with advisors, she realized engineering allows her to bring together creativity, problem-solving and technical skill. 

“I know it’s tough, but I know I can do it,” she says. 

Matthews’ experience highlights how the freedom to explore can help students gain confidence, not lose time during the search. 

Learning From the People Around You 

For Thomas Walsh ’29 of Encinitas, California, the influence came from family. 

“My grandpa is a surgeon, and I’ve been around that field my whole life,” Walsh says. “I knew I wanted to do something hands-on and be able to help people.” 

Entering TCU as a biology student on the pre-med track, Walsh found an environment that supported both his long-term goals and his curiosity. Through science coursework, mentorship and exposure to the realities of health care careers, he confirmed medicine aligns with both his interests and values. 

TCU’s emphasis on advising and experiential learning helped Walsh move forward with confidence, knowing his decision was informed, not rushed. 

What These Stories Have in Common 

While their paths look different, Stoker, Jones, Matthews and Walsh share something important: none of them had everything figured out from the start. Each relied on exploration, advising and real experiences to shape their decisions. 

At TCU, choosing a major isn’t about getting it “right” immediately. It’s about finding the right fit with support every step of the way.