<p>I'm having a little bit of trouble with this. Let me list what majors I have in mind, and their advantages:</p>
<p>Aerospace Eng. (Probably the most practical of the four)
Physics (Almost positive I'll take this up for grad school--I love this subject)
Math (It complements physics nicely, doesn't it?)
And finally.. Philosophy (Which I doubt I'll follow up after undergrad, but I like it)</p>
<p>The ideal situation for me would be to double major in physics and philosophy. But I wonder, if philosophy is just a hobby for me--something I know I won't look for a job in--is it even worth majoring in it? Or will double majoring appeal to grad schools? </p>
<p>I've also thought about areospace for undergrad and physics later on. Engineering is much more secure and recognized, isn't it? Whenever relatives ask me what I want to do, I usually say this, because I'm sure they think "physics" and "philosophy" are crap.</p>
<p>Lastly, I wonder if a physics and math major means anything. Won't I get enough math with a physics major as it is? </p>
<p>Well, before I bring this to a close, I want to empathize that I love physics more than anything else--without a doubt, it beats the other three. So give your opinions about this; they're greatly appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>It's really your personal choice and preference. Whatever excites you is what you should pursue. Don't think about the job situation or salary or such cr**, you should do what you love to do.</p>
<p>Princeton Review's website (<a href="http://www.review.com%5B/url%5D">www.review.com</a>) has a lot of neat articles on almost every major imaginable, complete with everything from job possibilities to what magazines you're bound to read. Check that out.</p>
<p>I can also add personally that I too thought between Engineering and Physics, and I can add that if you want to have a research-oriented or teaching job, then do Physics. If neither suit you, then you're better off with Engineering.</p>
<p>Okay, I think your physics description matched me well--I'm craving to do research in physics, and I want to teach physics when I grow up. </p>
<p>But I want to add one more thing: I would like transfer to an ivy or go to grad school in one (I won't be for the first couple of years for some reasons..). So I'm wondering if certain other majors that I like look better. Or are they just looking for a solid gpa?</p>
<p>It will be extremely difficult to go to grad school in physics if you didn't major in it at the undergrad level. Unless you want aerospace engineering to be your career, I would definately not substitute it for a physics degree, specially if you're only doing it because of what others will think. Having a second major in philosophy will definately not affect your grad school chances. I would suggest simply taking the philosophy courses that interest you not worry about getting a degree in it. This way you can take the classes you really want. As far as math, if you're going into theoretical physics, you will likely need a lot more math than most programs require (many only force you to go through diff eq). Analysis, partial diff eq, topology, etc you will need to know for theory. Again, you may not want to go through the trouble of getting a formal degree.</p>
<p>Well there goes the last vestige of wanting to get a degree in aerospace. Thanks. That helped a ton. I'm almost confident I'll go for a physics degree now--the subject that I truly love.</p>
<p>But I'm curious about what you mean by the "trouble of getting a formal degree." Does a math major involve a variety of other classes not directly related to physics?</p>
<p>while its admirable to be thinking about your future now rather than rushing to do it at the last minute (when apps are due), your posts seem to reveal a few misconceptions that will seriously compromise the decisions you make.</p>
<p>"Engineering is much more secure and recognized, isn't it?". Ask any aerospace engineer left at Boeing what they think of job security these days. Its a dog-eat-dog world in the big-stakes game of aerospace, and the headlines are carrying stories these days about the US filing a unfair trade practice suit against Eurobus. Have you noticed how the big US firms have merged/consolidated/moved? It should tell you something that the engineers at Boeing have a union, because engineers are traditionally conservative free-market types. The US Occupational Outlook Handbook says "Employment of aerospace engineers is expected to decline over the projection period." For one aerospace engineer's take on the career, see <a href="http://cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/nar/winter98/alum.html%5B/url%5D">http://cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/nar/winter98/alum.html</a> And as far as engineering as a general career goes, haven't you heard anything about offshoring?</p>
<p>I know several people with science & engineering PhDs. Each and every one of them would tell you what they've told me -- do it only because you love it. It sounds like you have that fire inside you, which is what it takes. But there is a glut of PhD's on the market, and always will be. The reason is structural. Each working prof with a PhD just needs to produce 1 Phd to take her/his place in a 30-40 year career. Increase that number produced by a few since some go into industry, some teach at colleges without PhD programs, etc. But every PhD at a research U constantly has grad students, so the lifetime production FAR exceeds what is needed. If you don't believe me, just look up "PhD glut" with google.</p>
<p>"I would like transfer to an ivy or go to grad school in one" They are fine schools, to be sure, but blanket "ivy or bust" wishes are just uninformed. The education and environment at Dartmouth is light-years away from the experience at Harvard, for example, but both are ivy. Brand-name worshipping is not an intelligent way to choose a college.</p>
<p>I know that last comment was really superficial.. I'll definitely look into it more. Thanks again, guys. It helped a lot.</p>