<p>Does anybody know how hard it is to do a bio/english double major at BMC?
The subjects aren’t very close, so would it be encouraged?
Would I be able to graduate in time with the two majors?
Thanks.</p>
<p>It is possible but the workload might be very stressful. English classes have long reading lists (think one book per week per class) and biology classes have labs. Those two in combination might be too much work for some students, but if you really enjoy the work and are motivated to put in the extra effort, no one will stop you!</p>
<p>You can try, but be prepared for the administration to try and break you in every way possible while doing so. They demand a near 4.0 GPA in both subjects, a very detailed proposal, and a list of classes you will take for each major ahead of time.</p>
<p>Did you have a bad experience yourself?</p>
<p>I know plenty of people who double major in related or unrelated disciplines. Most of them did not have a hard time getting it approved and none described it as the administration trying to “break you in every possible way.” It is true that declaring a double major requires a personal statement, and if one of the two majors is at Haverford, you also need at least a 3.5 GPA. (That’s Haverford’s policy, not Bryn Mawr’s.)</p>
<p>The college asks us to complete a major work plan every time we declare a major, whether a single or a double major. That’s for our own sake to make sure that we understand the requirements for the major and the practicalities of completing two majors in four years. Some classes need to be taken in sequence, for example, or are only offered in alternate years, which requires some planning ahead. No one is actually expecting us to follow our major work plan though. Our interests change, as do the projected course offerings of the departments.</p>
<p>My daughter is a soph at BMC and says: I think that it is possible to do an English/Bio double major at BMC. I have a friend who is a Chem and Classics major at Haverford, and another friend who is a German / Cities major at BMC. However, it’s easier to have two majors if they are similar (for instance, Bio and Math or Bio and Chem), because then some classes can count for both majors. Usually when people double-major, it’s in closer fields like Art History and Cities, or Archeology and Art History, and that is easier because you’ll have cross-over. You’ll probably find that you may want to do one as a minor, instead, since double-majoring in anything is going to be difficult, no matter what. You will have to know from the very start that’s what you want to do… you can’t dabble in classes you think might be interesting, because if you don’t get your pre-req’s done early, you won’t be able to do both majors in 4 years… and the college REALLY wants you to get done in 4 years. The intro Bio classes at both BMC and Haverford are very difficult. Also, the bio classes come with labs that take up a lot more of your time… a lab is usually 3 hours per week in class, which is like one more whole class per week. Good luck, I’m sure you can do it no matter what you decide to do… you can definitely do it if you want to. Lots of people at BMC do double-majors, and almost everyone does at least a major + a minor, and some people have double-majors that aren’t close.</p>
<p>PS-- yes, they will definitely want you to have it planned out because it’s an ambitious undertaking that takes a lot of thought & preparation to get it done in 4 years. They will want you to be realistic about it, if it looks like it’s too much. But they will be supportive and won’t try to “break you” and definitely won’t require a 4.0 to declare any sort of major… that’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>Really? I found that when I mentioned a double major (and an independent major) the deans and departments were very closed down about the idea. I’m trying to get them to change their minds, seeing as I am a freshman and still have time. This problem, however, is giving me second thoughts about the school.</p>
<p>Independent majors are WAY harder to get approved than double majors, especially independent majors that are not well-established. I know several students who eventually gave up on their independent major because the college made them jump through so many hoops.</p>
<p>Good luck!!!</p>
<p>I would agree that an independent major is harder to push through… although, ironically, it’s one thing they trumpet when you visit. It’s probably more work for the deans and they’d rather see you just declare something standard… but I think if you can find a supportive “independent major advisor” and you just have the strength of your convictions and just keep nicely pushing, then you will get it done no problem.</p>