So my university requires 120 credits to graduate. Only 60 credits come from courses from my major and the other 60 are suppose to be stuff outside my major. Some will be used up on GEs but a lot of them are waived due to my AP scores. So I’m guessing I will have to take 60 credits worth of electives? Is this correct? Then what is stopping me from taking 60 credits worth of easy courses like basket weaving and theater?
For you it would be less than 120 because of your AP credit, right? Or do they just waive requirements without giving credit?
They don’t have to be outside your major; they just can be. You’ll probably want to go beyond the minimum requirements in your major (or related fields) in order to be competitive for internships/jobs/graduate school.
Some of the non-major credits could be prereqs for your major. Like math, sciences, literature, philosophy, language, . Some will be in specific areas.
Do you have a 4 yr plan of study to look at? Or a course catalog that lists what is required for your major. Those might give you some insight for the additional credits.
The website will usually show recommended electives for you and other will be open electives to explore other academic areas.
You could do a second major or a minor. I also agree with @halcyonheather, you will probably want to go beyond the minimum requirements for your major to add more depth and value to your degree (knowledge).
You can also earn credits for internships, co-ops and study abroad. My son had many pre- req’s and gen eds filled by his AP and dual enrollment credits so he ended up being able to complete a second major and a minor to fulfill the remaining credits.
Agree with the above about going above and beyond in your major - but check and make 100% sure they don’t have to be outside you major. My school has a certain number of classes that are required outside the major; yours might as well. Is there anything you’re interested in or intrigued by that you haven’t had the chance to look at? Flip/scroll through the course catalogue and look more closely at courses that seem intriguing.
And who knows, basketweaving may turn out to be interesting…
Colleges often have categories of electives you have to take at least one course in…like Math (Quantitative Skills), Foreign Language, Natural Sciences, Perspective on the World, etc.
Look at Graduation Requirements for your college.