Like Elisza, I'm an engineering student whose second choice was English.

The analytical skills that you get from studying writing is really useful across any discipline. It forces you to really look at something critically, analyse all the different layers and eventually come to your own conclusion.

Interpreting something for yourself is also a really useful skill. You learn to look at something from different viewpoints which helps you understand and even empathize with someone you don't necessarily agree with. Also, when you make an interpretation, you now have to defend your view based on existing evidence. Another valuable skill that is definitely used outside of high school.

Finally, and more of a personal opinion than anything else; an appreciation for books is something everyone should have. Written word allows us to look back through time, gives us insight into someone else's mind, or often insight into our own. Reading and writing forces people to really think for themselves, and that is something of inestimable value.

One of my professors told us that the two best ways of assessing any civilization are by the materials they used and the records they kept. You might agree or disagree, but I think he's at least more right than wrong.