Final answer:
Maya Ying Lin concentrated on architecture in college, where she designed the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial as a university student, which has become a significant and accepted tribute to veterans.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to "Always to Remember," Maya Ying Lin decided to concentrate on architecture in college. As a university student, she submitted a design for a competition that sought concepts for a new memorial to Vietnam veterans. Her design proposed a V-shaped wall of granite that would list the names of every soldier who was killed or still missing. This wall would slope below ground level, providing a powerful, reflective space for visitors. Maya Lin's unconventional design was ultimately chosen, and it has since become an iconic memorial visited by many. Lin's architecture studies contributed significantly to her ability to create such a meaningful and impactful design.