<p>Ok guys, now that I've been admitted I have got to ask for some advice. I am planning on doing a dual concentration in Economics and Government. I am also considering trying to pursue advanced standing to graduate in three years. Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer about graduating in three years while doing a dual concentration? Is this extremely difficult? If I were to do advanced standing then I would have to take some more AP tests at the end of my year off, so I'm trying to decide whether to study for them and take them, or whether I should just graduate in four years. Thanks.</p>
<p>Why do you want to graduate in 3 years?</p>
<p>Unless it is for money reasons, there is no reason to graduate in 3 years. Soak up the atmosphere of college, take some fun classes, play on the intramural teams, go out with friends on the weekend--enjoy yourself for 4 years.</p>
<p>I think, depending on how many APs you'd need, it would be nice to keep the option open. You don't declare advance standing until after your sophomore year, and the four year masters program is an attractive possibility.</p>
<p>I also want to do the JD/MBA program after college. Since I am taking a year off before I go to Harvard, and I will probably have to get some work experiance before the JD/MBA program, I am just trying to get out of school before I'm 30. It may not be possible, but I do at least want to investigate the option.</p>
<p>"You don't declare advance standing until after your sophomore year."</p>
<p>Are you sure? It seems at H, you have to declare as soon as you step onto campus--you meet with special advisors, etc. during freshman orientation.</p>
<p>You have to declare advanced standing freshman year. But you don't have to actually commit to whether you will graduate in three years until much later -- in other words, you can decide at the end of sophomore year that you'll come back as a junior rather than a senior.</p>
<p>Have you explored the Social Studies program? Going into an existing interdisciplinary major is a lot less of a headache than making a joint concentration, and I can't imagine that Social Studies wouldn't give you your fill of ec & gov.</p>
<p>If you are considering a joint concentration in government and economics, you might also want to consider the honors-only concentration called
SOCIAL STUDIES.... I know it has a high-school sounding name, but it's
a rigorous major that combines econ, govt, history, sociology, psych, anthro... you pretty much define what social studies means to you...
and take the courses that fit your plan... you then write a senior thesis that ties it all together... it' a pretty popular major for those interested in law, business, or public policy.</p>
<p>As for advanced standing, you don't have to declare till after your first year... but when I was an undergrad, almost NO ONE ever does advanced standing...</p>