Can someone please explain the college "study" system to me?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I am a sophmore right now, but I have been looking at colleges like none other. Of course, being a sophmore I A) don’t know what my final results will be [effecting where I can go], B) What I want out of a college, or C) What I want to do with my life [thus effecting my studies].</p>

<li><p>What is a "concentration? I have seen this listed seperatly from majors/minors/pre professional, what exactly is it’s purpose?</p></li>
<li><p>This one is a bit specific. I have seen “pre-med”, “healthcare work” (something to this effect), and “medicine”, as majors. Obviously these three relate to the medical field, what makes these different?</p></li>
<li><p>What is the point of a minor?</p></li>
<li><p>How does one duel major? Do you just take both studies’ respective work load? And you receive two degrees? Does this replace a “minor”?</p></li>
<li><p>Does a minor have to relate to your major? Or can it be something completely new and unique?</p></li>
<li><p>How come only so many courses are offered for minors/majors? Do these vary college to college (not course selection, what is offered as a minor/major).</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I guess that’s it for now.</p>

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<p>Leave these forums. Enjoy life and worry about college later. Wait to be stressed out about this process until the summer after your Junior year. In the meantime, work hard in school and ECs.</p>

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<p>1) Some colleges use "concentration" instead of "major" but it's the same thing. Some colleges use "concentration" to define a path within a major (for example, Political Science major with a concentration in International Relations; History major with a concentration in the Renaissance). Some use it to refer to a cross-departmental major. When the time comes, you'll check the websites for the colleges you're interested in, and all will be explained.</p>

<p>2) "Medicine" is a post-undergraduate degree. "Pre-med" is usually not a "major" but a series of courses designed to meet medical school admissions requirements. "Healthcare" involves the entire healthcare system and includes nurses, physicians, chiropractors, physician assistants, therapists, etc.</p>

<p>3) Primarily to show that you have another area of study in which you have some interest and coherent coursework.</p>

<p>4) Depends on the college. There is no "one" answer.</p>

<p>5) Depends on the college. Usually, however, you don't have to have a link between your major & minor.</p>

<p>6) Often courses are limited to majors or minors because (a) it keeps the size of the class down; (b) students have the appropriate level of prereqs; (c) students have the appropriate level of interest; (d) all of the above; (e) any of the above; (f) none of the above. Depends on the college for both course selection and what majors or minors are offered.</p>

<p>Now do what Neal suggests.</p>

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<p>Haha. Great advice Neal! Leave these forums now!</p>

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<p>Neal, do you really think it's too early to begin exploring options and opportunities? I don't. I guess it's just a personal preference; I've been raised with the mindset that it's never too early to prepare for college. </p>

<p>I'm a Freshman and really enjoy browsing the forum -- I'm learning a lot and feel like I am now able to make better decisions.</p>

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<p>"4. How does one duel major? Do you just take both studies' respective work load? And you receive two degrees? Does this replace a "minor"?"</p>

<p>Whoa, you can <em>duel major</em>? I've never heard of a <em>duel major</em>.</p>

<p>I have, however, heard of a "dual major" or "double major". Yes, you generally do take both studies respective work load. You don't receive two degrees fro a dual major (your degree is in whatever your "primary" major is, and I think it usually says something about a double major on the diploma). You can often finish a dual major in 4 years, but you might have to overload on credits. </p>

<p>A dual degree would let you get two degrees- for example, a B.S. in Physics and a B.F.A. in Drama- and often takes more than 4 years (usually 5). </p>

<p>None of these options necessarily "take the place" of a minor, but depending on how many distribution/gen ed requirements the college has, it might be hard to do say two majors and a minor (although it is possible at some places).</p>

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<p>My first piece of advice is to learn how to spell or proofread. :)</p>

<p>My second piece of advice: there's a book called "Admissions Matters" that lays out the college application picture in a realistic and balanced way. It would not be a bad idea to read it if you want some sane advice.</p>

<p>My third is to go have a life.</p>

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<p>You folks are getting rude - work on the tone of your posts.</p>

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<p>I agree with gadad. The OP is asking reasonable questions. It isn't anything like the "Chance me for Harvard in three years based on my projected stats" threads that crop up from time to time.</p>

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<p>1) A concentration is usually a focus on a specific sub-discipline of a major. I.E. A communications major might have a concentration in print journalism, a computer science major might have a concentration in Artificial Intelligence.</p>

<p>2) I think of "healthcare work" as those commercials on TV urging people to become a medical assistant. Others may disagree, though. "Pre-med" is usually an undergrad planning on going to medical school and they may take classes pertaining to medicine while in undergrad. "Medicine" is usually reserved for med school and after. </p>

<p>3) It's not usually required, but allows the student to take a number of courses in another discipline and receive recognition for it. </p>

<p>4) I'm not sure how this works at other colleges, but at mine you must entirely fulfill the major requirements for both majors. It doesn't "replace" the minor, a student could do two majors and two minors if they wanted (at least at my college.)</p>

<p>5) It doesn't have to have any link at all, but it's beneficial if it somehow relates to your career goals. For example, one of my friends wants to be a writer for an environmental publication; she majored in journalism and minored in environmental biology.</p>

<p>6) It varies by college.</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>A concentration is usually sort of a sub-major--for example, I'm an animal science major with a pre-vet concentration. Instead of just the typical vet tech courses, I also have to take prereqs for vet schools (i.e. stats, calc, general bio), and take some different animal-related courses than vet tech/vet science majors.</p></li>
<li><p>Some people do minors just because they're interested in the material, but don't want to double-major or anything. Some people minor in other subjects to supplement their major, which could help getting jobs in the future or getting into vet school, if it's important to the field of work you want to get into.</p></li>
<li><p>A minor is taking classes for a certain major but without the full 2-or-4-year curriculums--i.e. taking a lot of english courses, but not enough (or not all the requirements) for an actual english major. A double-major is actually doing all the course requirements and classes for both majors, which is a lot harder than having one major and one minor. It helps if some of the courses for both majors overlap, so you'll meet some requirements for both majors at the same time, therefore saving you time and money.</p></li>
<li><p>It doesn't have to.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>Since the questions OP asked have been answered, in the spirit of not cluttering up the forums with fruitless questions, I'll post some that I have been wondering about.</p>

<p>1a)Are there any specific requirements in order to receive distinction of a minor? (Like presentations, research paper, etc) </p>

<p>2a) If I take enough classes, would it be possible to have 2 or more minors?</p>

<p>3a) I don't understand the credit hours thing very well. Does each credit hour actually equal the amount of hours spent in class per week?</p>

<p>4a) If one class has 4 credit hours and another has 3 credit hours, is gpa calculated by adding 4+3 and dividing by 7?</p>

<p>5a) Is there a point to taking those just-for-fun classes? Like there's a couple about star trek, lord of the rings, and the like. Is there any real life use for them?</p>

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<p>
[quote]
1a)Are there any specific requirements in order to receive distinction of a minor? (Like presentations, research paper, etc)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>you must take certain classes</p>

<p>
[quote]
2a) If I take enough classes, would it be possible to have 2 or more minors?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>at most schools. Some schools only allow one minor (to show up on your diploma)... obviously you could still take the courses for a 2nd minor.</p>

<p>
[quote]
3a) I don't understand the credit hours thing very well. Does each credit hour actually equal the amount of hours spent in class per week?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>yes. Most courses are 3 credits. Five 3-credit courses per semester = 120 credits after 8 semesters (4 years). Generally you need 120 credits to graduate.</p>

<p>
[quote]
4a) If one class has 4 credit hours and another has 3 credit hours, is gpa calculated by adding 4+3 and dividing by 7?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>you multiple the grade you get in the class x the credits the class is worth. Do that for each class. Add up the number from each class, and divide by the number of credits. If you got a B (3.0) in a 4 credit class, and an A (4.0) in a 3 credit class, your GPA would be 3x4 + 4x3 = 24/7 (7 credits) = 3.43 . If you got an A in the 4 credit class, and a B in the 3 credit one, your GPA would be 4x4 + 3x3 = 25/7 = 3.57</p>

<p>
[quote]
5a) Is there a point to taking those just-for-fun classes? Like there's a couple about star trek, lord of the rings, and the like. Is there any real life use for them?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>They are fun. They are something you like. You cannot fill your schedule with only classes in your major, so, for the other credits you need, why not take something you like? I took adventure games... we did team building, low and high ropes, zip wire, and rappelling. I'm sure that was must less "useful" than any academic class, but when else am I gonna take something like that?</p>

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<p>1a) It depends on the school and the specific major. </p>

<p>2a) Yeah. Depends on what general ed requirements your school has, what you're majoring in, what you're minoring in, etc., but usually, yes.</p>

<p>3a) It depends...Some schools are like Soccerguy said, but at my school, almost all classes meet three hours per week (excluding labs) and are worth four credits each (per semester). </p>

<p>4a) Just a freshman, and all my classes are four credits, so not sure.</p>

<p>5a) It depends on what you're majoring/minoring in, partly. I've never taken any, but it seems like they could be useful for things like media, film, communications, English, possibly anthropology, etc. Also, depending on what the class is like, it could teach you skills like "critical thinking" and that sort of thing.</p>