Toughest College Subjects with High Dropout Rates: An Examination
College majors can be a significant determinant of a student's academic journey, and some are more demanding than others. Here, we delve into the most challenging college majors, which are often characterised by intellectual complexity, workload intensity, and high stakes.
Medicine (MD/MBBS)
With an academic duration of 8-10 years or more, Medicine is one of the most challenging majors. Students face rigorous coursework covering anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, clinical practice, and strict residency training. The high emotional and mental pressure involved in patient care adds to the challenge, as does the extensive practical and theoretical learning with minimal margin for error.
Engineering (Chemical, Electrical, Aerospace, etc.)
Engineering majors are academically demanding and require a heavy reliance on complex, abstract mathematical and scientific concepts with real-world application demands. For instance, chemical engineering involves mastering interdisciplinary knowledge in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, while electrical engineering requires abstract thinking about phenomena that cannot be directly seen, like electrical currents and electromagnetism, and employs advanced mathematical tools such as partial differential equations.
Law (Bachelor of Laws/LLB)
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is another challenging major. Students must memorise massive case studies and law provisions and possess extremely high logical reasoning and interpretation skills. Passing national judicial examinations is highly competitive with low pass rates.
Nursing (BSN)
Nursing is a demanding major that balances theoretical coursework with long-term clinical internships and demanding shift schedules. The emotional toll due to high-risk patient care scenarios and continuous pressure in clinical settings adds to the challenge.
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Veterinary Medicine is a complex major that requires students to master anatomy and diseases across many different animal species. Clinical operations are intricate and involve safety risks due to animal behaviour.
Philosophy
Philosophy is a challenging major that demands high-level abstract thinking and logical reasoning. Reading materials are often obscure, and grading is highly subjective, adding to the challenge. Students must also possess high proficiency in critical writing and argumentation.
Study Intensity, Mental Exhaustion, and High Attrition Rates
The difficulty of these majors often also comes from study intensity, mental exhaustion, and high attrition rates. Large volumes of assignments, projects, and readings demand effective time management and sustained effort. Subjects may involve abstract concepts, which require significant cognitive effort and creativity. STEM majors, in particular, have high dropout or switch rates due to the overall mental, physical, and time demands.
Other Challenging Majors
In addition to the majors mentioned above, Architecture is the most time-intensive undergraduate major, with students spending about 22.2 hours per week preparing for classes on average. Chemistry majors tackle hard college coursework, including organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemical sciences, and require a broad field of knowledge.
Computer Science and Mathematics are also among the hardest college majors, demanding a deep understanding of complex subjects. Physics majors navigate complex problems in quantum mechanics and theoretical physics, requiring fluency in multivariable calculus, differential equations, and high-level math.
In summary, the difficulty in college majors usually arises not only from technical complexity but also from the emotional pressure, workload balance, and the extended period required to master the subject. The single hardest major can vary by individual aptitude and interest, but Medicine and certain Engineering fields frequently top the lists globally.
[1] National Center for Education Statistics. (2020). Undergraduate Majors and Graduation Rates. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgg.asp
[2] American Institute of Chemical Engineers. (2020). What is Chemical Engineering? Retrieved from https://www.aiche.org/careers/what-is-chemical-engineering/
[3] American Bar Association. (2020). Law Student Debt and the Bar Exam. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_schools/resources/career/career_center/career_resources/career_center_home/law_student_debt_and_the_bar_exam/
[4] National Science Foundation. (2020). Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2020. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/
[5] Association of American Medical Colleges. (2020). Medical School Admission Requirements. Retrieved from https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school/the-application/msar/msar-resources/msar-2021-22/msar-2021-22-faqs/
- Engineering majors, such as chemical, electrical, and aerospace, demand a heavy reliance on complex, abstract mathematical and scientific concepts with real-world application demands, making them among the most academically challenging college majors.
- Astronomy, a vast field thatexplores the universe and its mysteries, requires mastery of advanced physics, chemistry, and mathematics concepts, positioning it as one of the intellectually demanding majors.
- Biology, particularly specializations like molecular biology and genetics, involve complex experiments and rigorous coursework, placing it among the challenging college majors that require significant cognitive effort and creativity.
- Physics, with its emphasis on complex problems in quantum mechanics and theoretical physics, requires fluency in multivariable calculus, differential equations, and high-level math, making it one of the challenging majors where a deep understanding of advanced concepts is crucial.
- Chemistry majors cover hard college coursework including organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemical sciences, demonstrating the intellectual challenges associated with this major.
- Technology majors like Computer Science demand a deep understanding of complex subjects, requiring students to tackle subjects like algorithms, data structures, computer architecture, and system design.
- Education and self-development, notably online education platforms, provide resources for students to learn and explore various challenging majors, such as medicine, engineering, engineering, law, nursing, veterinary medicine, philosophy, astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and technology, enabling students to make informed decisions about their intellectual journey.
