MAJOR SELECTION
As we step foot into February, it is also the time for Major Selection! This is exciting, especially for sophomores, but freshmen are also welcome to explore the majors to get a sense of your interests. It is important to know what each major is about because you aren’t allowed to change it once you get in. This guide will hopefully help you guys in addition to the Major Fair!
Click here for all the responses!
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
"My major includes Ap physics and Principle of Engineering, for junior year. The senior classes may sound more interesting which are Computer Integrated Manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and flight school. Most of these classes are only available to, or more easily available to get into, if you’re in the aerospace major. The major size is also quite small so you can get to know everyone easier and have a chance to work with almost everyone. The workload is also hand-able. Personally junior year is my easiest year so far, the least workload. POE is mostly all projects which includes working with many different people all year along. I have not had a test yet! The opportunities are also endless. We have access to a lot of internship, mentorship, and job shadowing that’s only available to our major or CTE major. For students we did not take physics in freshman year, you can jump straight into Ap Physics which I feel like is amazing. It saves time and no lab classes which I dislike.
The best part is that I have access to internships, mentorships, and more opportunities that are only available to our major or CTE majors. I’ve participated in mentorship’s such as ACE and Vaughn College. I got access to free college classes about drones and received college credits. In addition, it is a lot of hands on stuff, no tests! It is perfect for people who enjoy hands on stuff.
My least favorite part of the major is the boy to girl ratio. Sometimes the amount of boys can get overwhelming and when you’re paired with boys constantly it can get frustrating and isolating.
There are lot of boys. Engineering is very hard and specific. There’s a lot of physics and math into it which can get very confusing and difficult quick. Sometimes the lesson may pass quickly and hard to keep up. There’s a lot of computation and critical thinking required in engineering. It also requires you to be very hands on and a lot of teamwork. You’re expected to work with a lot of different people. Each project you have to work with different random people, so even if you’re not friends with them, you’re still required to cooperate together. Moreover, there’s a lot of presentation, Every unit comes with one. You’re expected to know how to express yourself in order to express your ideas.
If you’re not passionate about aerospace or physics, don’t join."
-Vivian Dong 2025
APPLIED MATHEMATICS
"The applied mathematics major is very exclusive. We only have 2 sections, so it is not that crowded. The only required course is graph theory/number theory, but it is not very demanding and the two teachers who cover it, Dr. Blozy and Mr. Matthews, are both very nice and knowledgeable on the subject matter. The class goes very in-depth into novel ways of thinking about graphs and numbers, and covers many topics vital to success in math competitions. I heavily suggest joining if you wish to pursue competitive math during high school. Although those in the math major do not have access to CTE-related funds and programs, we do have the Milo Kessler Fellowship, which provides funds for those who which to do a math-related programs over summer.
The best part is that the major really prepares you for math competitions and high level math courses later on. It teaches you many fundamental theorems that are otherwise breezed over in regular classes. It pairs very well with students who take calculus over the summer, as they are able to do Calc BC during Junior year.The worst part about the major is that we don’t have priority access to many stem electives, so we often don’t get everything we want in our schedules. The designation as a non-CTE major also hurts students’ ability to get an internship or do a stem program that is expensive.
I wish I knew that applied mathematics majors are barred from entry into CTE programs. There are many programs that would be great for math majors along with majors like aerospace, but math majors are simply not allowed to attend. The only major exclusive class is graph theory/number theory. So if you’re willing to trade that off, having access to CTE programs by doing one of those majors is really tempting."
-Ishan Nahian 2025 (Discord: @archerboy444)
"Workload during junior year is very chill, you’ll probably have one assignment per week. However, keep in mind that we do have research papers to write. Workload in senior year depends on what classes you have, we have calculus homework every day unless there are tests. There’s barely any homework for linear algebra. Best: there’s not a lot of students in this major (2 sections) so it’s easy to get acquainted with everyone. Worst: no worst part. It’s very math heavy, most topics are stuffs we’ve never touched on in other math classes.
-Vicky Yeung 2024
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING
"The Architectural Engineering major is very fun and interactive as you will be able to work with software that is used within the professional industry like Revit and AutoCAD. In Junior year, you will also be taking an architecture class where you will have hands-on experience with making models and making technical drawings. Other assignments include sketching and different competitions that will improve your creativity and drawing skills. Although many people say the workload is a lot in this major, it isn't if you manage your time. The teachers are all extremely nice and give reasonable deadlines. A lot of the assignments are started in class and the teachers would give class time so as long as you use the given time efficiently, you won't have much homework. There aren't any exams in this major other than the AutoCAD exam at the end of Junior year for certification. Because this is a CTE major, you will have many opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and mentorships that none CTE majors can't have. The architectural major is relatively small compared to other majors but this will allow a higher connection because you and the classmates in the other section and even learn from Seniors.
The best part of my major is all the hands-on modeling that you can experience because it is so fun to get to work with foam boards and other balsam wood materials just in high school. This will lay the foundation for college and even if you change major in college, it can still help you visualize and understand key concepts of design and creation. The worst part might be the lack of sleep if you have other roles to take care of such as AP, standardized testing, extracurriculars, etc but in the end, after you finish a project, you will still feel very satisfied.
You mustn't wait until the last minute to start an activity. Always manage your time and schedule beforehand and know what you need to complete. Have a clear set of boundaries and rules for yourself to make sure you complete all your tasks on time."
-Alice Chen 2025
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
"As a Bio major, sometimes, the workload can be a lot both in class and at home. This is especially true for classes like AP Bio and Anatomy where applying and learning concepts can be super difficult at times. However, I think taking these classes are super helpful in gauging interest in the medical field. For Anatomy, we did a lot of "diagnose the patient" activities as well as x-ray clinics. In regards to opportunities, Bio majors do have the opportunity to apply to Gateway to Higher Education which allows students to gain access to test prep, volunteer/internship opportunities, exciting trips (e.g. live surgeries!) and so much more. With all the work, it's super worth it if you enjoy what you are learning. The best part is the hands on learning! I loved doing the different dissections (pig, cat, pig heart, and shark) and working with my group members. I wouldn't say there is really any worst part of my major. However, one thing I would like more of is trips to better enhance my learning. Review your notes/study daily! It truly makes a difference, especially for a class like Anatomy. It helps lighten the load when preparing for large exams."
-Samiha Aktar 2024
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
"If you enjoy chemistry, it's an easy major. Since the major is small, everyone knows each other well and are well connected. The class workloads are very small and you rarely get homework. The tests can get difficult though. Everyone is connected and knows each other. It's a relaxed class with a small workload. The tests can get difficult though and if you don't enjoy chemistry, you may struggle. Study sometimes. All the chemistry teachers are nice."
-Marco Wu 2024 (@gum69)
CIVIL ENGINEERING
"Engineering Statics: A college level course taught by Mr.Boulis. We are taught roughly one semester's worth of college Statics in one year so if you plan to pursue civil engineering in the future, you will walk in with a very slid understanding. Workload for this class is relatively small, we spend roughly one week on one type of problem and get an open note test every unit. Mr.Boulis is super lenient with deadlines and a very understanding teacher.
CEA: Studying design principles and using Revit - very similar to Autocad in DDP. Don't get homework because Revit can only be used on school computers, but this also means that you HAVE to finish the work in class unless you come in during your free periods.
Overall: Work is done in class and homework is just whatever you still need to finish. Work can be done independently but we are also allowed to, and encouraged to, collaborate on them. Mr. Boulis often refers to our major as one family and he is very generous with us.
Best: We have access to basically everything in 1n8 (the civils room) which includes a printer, laptops, the cage (supplies like graphing paper, rulers, hot glue, markers, etc.), an area for you to stay during your free periods, etc.
Worse: Every lesson is built on the previous lesson so if you don't understand something the upcoming lessons will make no sense. Make sure to ask for help when needed!
Come to 1N8 during one of your free periods! You can just walk in and take a look at what we do, if Mr. Boulis asks just say you're a sophomore interested in the major."
-Joyce Lin 2025
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
The electrical engineering major mainly focuses on hardware and interaction of electrons and wiring. Tech offers lots of internship opportunites and as a relatively small major, you get to know your peers super well over the next two years!
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
"The first thing that comes to mind when asked what my major is like, is that it’s fun! So very fun. We do a lot of hands on work and activities along with common trips to Fort Greene park. Not to mention the full day trips we have taken to Queens County Farm and to the High Line in Manhattan. And soon we’ll be going upstate to release the trout that we’ve been raising in the environmental lab!
In Environmental Science we learn about how the Earth works, the different forms of life on it, and the effects of pollution and climate change. We cover many topics which can often involve other areas of study like chemistry, physics, economics, and politics—just to name a few.
The workload in Environmental Science is not heavy at all— at least speaking as a Junior, I’m not sure how Senior year will be like. We get an average amount of homework and projects assigned, tests and quizzes are always announced days in advance so we have no surprises and plenty of time to study. Most of the work we do is in class and often done with partners or groups.
Environmental Science is a small major, but that makes it feel more close knit and familial. You constantly work with your classmates and will end up developing strong bonds and relationships with your peers.
My teacher, Dr. Margarita, posts on our Google classroom opportunities for internships or events that we can participate in along with announcing them in person during class. I myself have gone to a few which have led to great experiences, new memories, knowledge, and friends!
Overall, Environmental Science is a small but eventful major where you can bond with your peers and teacher through class activities or out of school events, and you learn so so much about how the world around you works and your impact on it.
The best part of my major is the activities we do. We often do hands on activities with partners or as groups and end up having a lot of fun! They also help us better understand the material we learn.
The worst part of my major is the note taking. You learn about a LOT and with that comes a lot of writing or typing and remembering every little detail for your next test. Other than that though, there really isnt anything bad about my major— or maybe I’m just biased🤭.
I wish I knew how much we would be learning. You think you’re just going to talk about pollution and saving endangered species but you end up learning about so. much. MORE! Then again when you’re learning about the Earth and the humans and animals and ecosystems it contains, you get surprised that there’s even time in the school year to have learnt it all!
My advice is to just prepare your brain for all the knowledge it’s about to receive.
We are the best major‼️ RAHH🦅🦅"
-Victorius Abejuela 2025 (Email: victoriusa@nycstudents.net)
FINANCE
"I enjoy the classes, as I am able to apply many of these concepts to real world economics and finances. The required classes are actually pretty fun! As of right now, Principles of Accounting is very intriguing as I get to do many “hands-on” activities where I get to imitate accountants in both large and small companies, as well as personal taxes.
Major size isn’t all that big, though I don’t personally talk to the other class.
Personally, workload is actually really light; most of my work consists of assignments from required classes for everyone like English and Pre-Calc.
I love the fact that we get to learn how to have these skills that can really help you manage your finances, as money is one thing that you need to make it in this world.
Although this may sound odd, I can't personally think of any “worst” parts of the major, besides your luck with teachers.
Make sure you really want to learn about these things before you come into the major. This mostly plays a part in class attentiveness, as it can really make or break your grades and general understanding of the topics."
-Rui Gao 2025 (IG: @xruivl)
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
"Industrial Design is a very hands on major as it covers the aspects of technical drawing, modeling, and production. As a Junior, you get to take methods of fabrication (wood shop class) and product design (sketching and modeling)! The workload in this major is very nice as I get little to no homework which allows me to enjoy the class fully. Everything is done in class and teachers are very understanding. In addition, as ID is a CTE major, you get tons of opportunities such as mentorship and internships! The best part of being an ID major is the hands on nature rather than a typical lecture. In addition, in the wood shop class, you may be able to take your creations home!There is no worst part of being an ID major. However, it requires a lot of enthusiasm as you must be eager to learn. Drawing is hard and it your work will initially look a little wonky but over time you will see yourself improve! :DDo not go to the ID major for the reason it is an "easy" major. Go because you are genuinely interested in the machines, material, or the concepts that will be taught! Be prepared for your drawings to look terrible!"
-Sophia Lin 2025
"2-3 major classes which allows for a lot of room for other electives you would like to take. My class has 3 sections, pretty small. Workload is overall ok. There are quite a lot of projects. We had a glassblowing opportunity outside school which was pretty cool. The teachers are also very nice. If you’re into industrial design, they can help you with your portfolio and stuff. There’s a lot of drawing and designing in the product design class. But I personally like the hands on working with wood. Don’t procrastinate in the classes or you’ll fall very behind especially in the drawings."
-Vicki Ren 2024
LAW AND SOCIETY
"I like my major. The topics that we go over in class are very interesting, but there is a lot of studying that needs to be done before exams. The teachers are very nice Constitutional and Criminal Law are both great classes for people looking into law. There is not that much homework and most of the work in class is discussion-based. We do debates, and moot courts, and make our own fact patterns in class. The teachers also post a lot about internships so there are opportunities offered. The best part of my major is the topics we go over. I find the topics very interesting and enjoy listening to my classmates’ opinions. What I don't like about my major is how the tests are hard. All the tests involve a lot of studying and sometimes answers are subjective so arguing in your response is really important.I wish I knew more about the work load before coming in because it's less about the homework and more about how you study by yourself. I would recommend getting into a good study habit and finding ways to memorize a lot of facts."
-Chelsea Chan 2025
"Required classes are criminal law, constitutional law, forensics, AP government, criminal procedure, and civil law! The workload is pretty light except for con law and there are an abundance of opportunities for people wanting to go into the law world! The best part is definitely the workload! It's not that heavy (except for con law... brace yourself) and the teachers are all very qualified and chill! The worse part is definitely the lack of required classes you have to take, which could either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person! It gives you more space to add other classes but also you are guaranteed less classes meaning more free periods in between your classes as well.Criminal law is common sense, please don't overthink it! Constitutional law is a lot of studying, but just remember the precedent that the case had! Criminal Procedure, forensics, and AP Gov in senior year will be a breeze (esp with college apps the teachers will be very lenient)!"
-Jason Wong 2024
PHARMD
"Our major really prepares and helps you for the any field in the medical career path. You don't even have to want to be a pharmacist to join! We're really a science based major, and if you love science, or simply aim to go on the medical path in the future, this major is for you!
If you don't know already, we take AP Chem and AP Lang in junior year. AP Chem especially will prepare you for AP Bio and Organic Chemistry in senior year. You'll also be taking AP Macro and another math, either AP Calc AB or BC. Even though these classes could get challenging at times, it doesn't have to all stress. Again, this major is really for people who wants or is interested in pursuing a med related career, people who are curious about science, and/or people that love challenges. It truly prepares you for the college courses you'll take in the future and relieve some stress since you had already been exposed to it at Tech!
Although the coursework might seem really intimidating, PharmD has a pretty close community. We are one of the smaller majors, with only two sections. There's always going to be someone you could turn to who are just as confused as you during class. However, we all get through it together until the end.
There are definitely the benefit of being automatically accepted into a school before the college process begins, and although LIU might not look like a lot, the financial part is definitely something that makes you consider. That's one of PharmD's main benefits.
Best Part: Close communities and the challenges.
Worst Part: The Stress that comes with it, but it feels so accomplishing in the end
One major thing I would say that it's definitely not easy, unless you have a really strong background. There are nights where I stayed up studying and rewriting notes. There are days where I simply wanted to give up. But, again, simply hang in there and try your best. Yes, it's a challenge, but always remember to utilize the resources around you. One other thing would definitely be time management. Quizlet and Practice Questions are really going to be your best friends :D
I'm not trying to say you should join PharmD because it's an amazing major and all, but I think you should join it if you are up for the challenge and you enjoy learning. If so, then this major is for you :)"
-Leiyi Chan 2024 ([IG: @leyi_o.0 & Discord: @laiilack)
Neuroscience
This is a new major created at Tech, so there isn't much information about it. Rising juniors will be the first to give us the review!
MECHATRONICS & ROBOTICS
"For juniors we have two major courses, Digital Electronics (DE) and Robotics Engineering. They are both double periods alternating with each other. In DE, we are working on breadboarding, logic gates, digital and analog components, Boolean algebra, seven segment displays, and more. In Robotics Engineering, we are working with Arduino boards to make mini programs, usually to program LEDs and recently, buzzers. There isn't really any homework, most of the assignments given are meant to be done in class. Many of the assignments are lab based, the formatting is similar to AP CSP. A lot of the work is hands-on, using Arduino boards, breadboards, wires, LEDs, etc. It isn't a heavy workload, plus it offers a lot of opportunities (internships, mentorships, summer programs, etc.) because of it being a CTE major.
The best part would be the workload and the teachers. The teachers are very nice and we don't get a ton of work. The worst part would probably be sitting at a computer screen most of the class period or trying to debug something but you don't know what's wrong.
It is probably easier to transition into C++ (programming language) if you took the text based AP CSP class. Also, debug segments of code first before doing the whole program because it will save you a lot of time if you find errors; test to see if your components work before using them. Overall, the courses don't require you to know a lot before hand."
-Sophia Guan 2025 (Instagram: @sogu_4a4)
MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
"Media isn't a very big major, I think we have around 60 (?) students and you basically see the same ones every day for two years. The required classes aren't a lot. Studio art where you learn essentially the basics to traditional art, and adobe visual design which is split up to teach illustrator in the first semester and focus on photoshop in the second semester. Since we're a CTE major, not only do you get certifications in both junior and senior year, you also get really amazing internship opportunities. I have friends who work at Amazon right now and do get a good chunk of money to help pay for college as part of the partnership with Media.
For senior year, we have AP Art this year, but next year it's becoming an elective, so not required class. Instead, there will be intro to photography, along with a double period of Animation and Film (which switches on alternate days like gym and free period). Workload for everything is honestly very do-able, and there's plenty of opportunities to go during your free periods or lunch or after class to work on projects and teachers are really understanding.
Best part is the people; everyone's really open to collaboration and you can always walk over for inspiration or for a chat before you go off back to work. It's a really collaborative environment with people you're going to see everyday and very very easy to make friends.
Worst part is Mr. Depinto's grading. Warning in advance, he grades everything REALLLLLLLY late, so you'll get a grade, it'll be like an 80 and then he doesn't grade anything until last two weeks before the semester or marking period is over so it's a rollercoaster of emotions near the end, even though our grades will all stay afloat.
You absolutely do NOT need to know how to draw. I possess 0 drawing skills but made it through. They teach everything from the basics so just join and have fun!"
-Maimuna Chowdhury 2024 (@maimuna.333)
PHYSICS
"In Junior year we take AP Physics I and Astrophysics; I have Mr. Paugh and Mr. Gerruputa respectively. Both teachers give you enough time to finish your work in class but sometimes there's NAAP Labs for Astro.
In Physics we derive fundamental equations through lab experiments and we explore different scenarios the equations are used in to help us explain why somethings happen the way they do. Mr. Paugh also has a scientist of the week where we get to learn about underrepresented scientists in Science. He also checks in with you every marking period and you can message him whenever in the Open dialogues assignment on Google Classroom. He really puts in a lot of effort to make sure you understand physics.
In Astro we usually work on worksheets about different topics like Planet eccentricity, Celestial sphere, Lunar phases, etc. Recently, we’ve been working on a lot of projects where we draw a poster on major events in astronomy or a scaled version of the solar system for a week (You can see these posters on the 4th floor south side right now!). We also had a project where we went outside during the middle of the day to measure the circumference of the Earth like how Eratosthenes did. Astro class is usually 9th or 10th period because sometimes we use the telescopes so we need extra time to put them away. Mr. G also does a lot of fun stuff like Photo of the Month where we submit a sky photo for the chance to win a trinket or Photo of the day where we look at daily NASA pictures.
The best parts are the 100% test corrections Mr. Paugh gives and doing labs because its fun. The worst part is not being a CTE major so we can’t do CTE internships but you can always find other internships elsewhere.
Most people think it’s bad major because they had terrible regent physics teachers or they just didn’t like physics, but it’s pretty fun and not as bad as they think it is."
-Winnie Chen (@ruralwinnie)
SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
"Required classes for junior year include sociology and AP human geography. Both pretty fun classes with a light workload, sociology is mostly discussion based and never assigns hw but we do get all-writing tests and a term project to turn in each term, which is essentially a research paper. As we are not a CTE major, we don’t have a lot of paid opportunities offered to us. However, all sections have the same two teachers and there are only 3 sections this year. Best: really fun and engaging classes. Worse: memorization. Don’t procrastinate! Also try to contribute to class discussions as it’ll help you retain information better."
-Angela Liu 2025
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
"Junior year is really chill because we only get one double-period APCSA, which, if you did well in CSP, is the easiest class you’ll take. It’s still useful and challenging at times but there’s not a lot of pressure like in other APs. It was my favorite class last year because I made my first really close group of friends at Tech there; turns out when you group a bunch of software engineer introverts into the same class they suddenly start talking to each other. And my teacher, Mr. Miller… oh my god! Such an angel! One of the best teachers I’ve had at Tech, up there with Mr. Lin and Mr. Shuman. He’s great at teaching, prepared us so well for the AP exam to the point I didn’t even have to self study to get a 5, and went out of his way to teach stuff not on the exam that would help us in the long run too! But he’s also such a sweet guy, I don’t think he could hurt a fly. Love him.
As for senior year… your experience depends heavily on the teacher, I guess. I was really looking forward to Web Development and IT Infrastructure, but Ms. Moshchenko, the only web dev teacher besides Mr. Irimina, just doesn’t teach. She doesn’t demonstrate anything, she just gives you labs to do and lets you get on it. Nothing she says or does makes sense. At one point, she gave us a raw curriculum, outlining how you’re supposed to TEACH the contents of the class, not how to learn it, and it seems she is so demotivated that she couldn’t be bothered to actually adapt the curriculum, and just gave it to us raw and left it for us to figure out. I’ve had experience with web dev before, and even if you haven’t it’s an easy class to get a 100 in, but don’t expect to learn anything useful. IT Infrastructure is pretty similar. My teacher, Mr. Turner, is okay at teaching, and doesn’t give out grades. You get a 55 if you did absolutely nothing, and otherwise you get a 100. The problem with this is, though I did SEVERAL of his mind numbing Linux bash script assignments, well too, he threatened to give me a 55 because I talk with my friend next to me too much. The next day he told me he was just in a bad mood, but who does that? I mean, this was the first time I’d ever been in danger of not just getting an 80, or a 70, or even a 65, but COMPLETELY FAILING a class. I was in shambles. And for the next month all I could think about is that possibility, because to be frank it’s a boring class that I didn’t do as much work as I would in a different class. If you get Mr. Rodriguez for IT you’ll be better off, since the guy gives tests and teaches well, but besides that I’ve only heard bad things about the other web dev and IT teachers. Digital Electronics, on the other hand, is my favorite senior major class. Ms. Doherty is awesome. She is a senior year Mr. Miller. Teaches very well, gets everything across, makes easy assignments and projects and tests, and I feel like I actually learn from her class, which is actually pretty interesting too. Overall senior year is just a mixed bag.
The best part for me are the students. I made lifelong friends in APCSA that I never would’ve met anywhere else, and we still hang out regularly to this day. Software attracts a certain kind of silly goober that you don’t get in a lot of other majors.
And I think the worst part is senior year classes. Again, they aren’t crazy difficult, but they don’t teach much because the teachers for web development and IT just aren’t all that. Digital Electronics is fun and useful, but that’s the exception to the norm.
Make sure you interact with your teachers and make yourself known. More likely then not you’ll be getting at least one letter of recommendation from your APCSA teacher, especially if you’re applying to a computer science major in college, so you’ll want to leave a lasting impression on your teacher that tells them the kind of student you are. I had no problem with this, but I notice that students in software are way quieter than in any other major, which doesn’t lend itself to a good recommendation. And, make friends! They’ve helped me a lot through hackathons and personal software projects, but more than that they’re just great to talk to!"
-Hans de los Santos 2024