This paper introduces Taylor's concept of authenticity, mean self-concept and identity, to understand the curricular and career choices of female students majoring in English. Observations, a written survey, 21 pilot interviews, and document analysis are used as part of the interpretive case study findings. This paper also introduces Appiah's concept of life "scripts" to illustrate how the pursuit of authenticity may limit choices. It concludes that the considerable value English majors place on the pursuit of authenticity suggests an explanation as to why students pursue their interest in humanities studies (a nonpecuniary good) at a potentially high cost as measured in terms of future earnings potential (and the pecuniary goods those earning can buy). As women disproportionately choose humanities subjects, which emphasize personal and intellectual development, women may also place a disproportionate emphasis on identity development as a goal of college learning and occupational preparation. This study demonstrates the relevance of authenticity as a construct for understanding student perceptions of the factors motivating their curricular and career choices. (Includes 1 table and 27 references.) (JDM)