What is English Really?

In theory what is it?

To promote reading and writing in a variety of different outlets.

What is it used for?

People who are proficient in English (that includes reading and writing), can be used in a variety of different professions. Many jobs require people to have good writing skills!

What does the major actually entail - work-wise?

Lots of reading up on major authors (Shakespeare, Poe, Dickinson, Melville, etc). You'll get to know the classic, as well as more contemporary authors.

Oh, and you will basically write until your hand falls off from too much use :)

What kind of jobs do you get with it?

English professor/teacher, writer, journalist, playwright, editor, critic, etc.

What are the fellow students like (personalitywise) in it?

Well, as far as the creative writing track is concerned (that is my emphasis), I see a lot of quirky, artsy people. I also see a LOT of shy students—writing isn't known to be a sociable major, lol.

There are also many students dipping their feet into the creative writing pool are also your normal, everyday people who want to give writing a try as an elective (many of them choose not to continue because it can be very competitive and they can't handle criticism on their work).

Common Misconceptions

That it is a dry and boring major. I'm not going to lie—there will be some classes where you'll want to shoot yourself. But a lot of them turn out to be very interesting. You'll discover new authors you've never thought of before and try out new creative writing experiments. Good stuff.