confusing question about Berkeley triple major

<p>I want to transfer from ucsd to berkeley as a triple major in math, econ, and stats. i can do it in 2 years if i take 2 classes over summer on two different summers. (which is fine because i live in the bay area so i can still work part time over summer). </p>

<p>however, i have a confusing question. in a double major you can only overlap 2 classes that satisfy the requirements for both majors. so for triple majoring, can you overlap 2 different classes between each 3 different pairs of majors? or only 2?</p>

<p>i emailed berkeley but im still not clear.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Hi Ryan,</p>

<p>It would be very difficult to triple major as a transfer student, depending on how many units you're coming in with. You can only overlap two courses between any two majors. You would need to finish all degree requirements within 5 semesters or until you pass 136 units, whichever comes later.</p>

<p>Kathy Sarconi
L&S Adviser

[/quote]
</p>

<p>so if stats and econ overlap 2 classes, can math and econ overlap 2 different classes? and then stats and econ overlpa 2 different classes?</p>

<p>gah...this is probably a lot simpler than i'm making it, but im so confused right now. someone help</p>

<p>(oh and if anyone is thinking of doing anything similar and would like to see my planned schedule, let me know and i'll be happy to upload it).</p>

<p>"You can only overlap two courses between any two majors."</p>

<p>To me that sentence is saying that: You can overlap two classes for every two majors that overlap. So: </p>

<p>Major 1 and 2: Overlap 2 courses.
Major 2 and 3: Overlap 2 courses.</p>

<p>Why do you want to triple major? what a waste of time, money, effort, and energy.</p>

<p>^ That was extremely judgmental and not substantiated. Care to elaborate?</p>

1 Like

<p>i am double majoring in math and econ...when i went over it, i only have to take 4 more classes to triple major in stats.</p>

<p>this little statement on the berkeley stats page also motivated me:

[quote]
It is also very useful to combine studies of statistics and probablity with other subjects. Facilitating such cross-fertilization is one of the strengths of the department, and roughly half of our undergraduate students are double or even triple majors.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>the main reason though, is i want a masters in financial engineering, or the equivalent at other schools (like masters in computational finance). berkeley lists which courses are prerequisites for the program, and those courses are all in my triple major.</p>

<p>it was not meant to be judgmental actually.</p>

<p>I looked into many MFE programs and i know a thing or two on the topic.... i would never suggest double/triple majoring to get into those programs , just the classes needed. But if you already double majoring and have nothing else to do but triple major , go right ahead, even though i will maintain that it is usually a waste of time and you can get the classes without double /triple majoring</p>

<p>i think it's bs when people say that triple majoring won't make you look any more special. </p>

<p>i just got off the phone on an interview, and once i mentioned i was considering triple majoring, the interviewer was very impressed and that alone might be the extra edge i need over the other guy to get the job. also, search triple major in google and see articles written about people who have triple majored, as if it is so impressive.</p>

<p>now obviously it isnt that difficult and i dont think im better than anyone just because i am able to do it in 4 years, but with only 4 more classes in order to do it, i think its worth it for that extra edge when applying for jobs and other things.</p>

<p>It seems like you're just a degree whore. But hey, everyone has different goals for his/her college career.</p>

<p>So, go for it. Get your three bachelor degrees.</p>

<p>degree whore</p>

<p>good one, i am going to steal that for future use.</p>

<p>it seems like everyone is so bitter about someone getting a triple major. jeesh. it makes sense for me. it's not like 3 random majors. and my question is not "should i get a triple major?" so it doesn't even matter. i just wanted help on a specific question about the rules for a triple major, since berkeley doesn't really have online documentation about it. if you can't help, please just don't post.</p>

1 Like

<p>Have you checked the departments policies? Some don't allow any courses to be cross-listed. I know the History department will only allow you to use 1 course outside of the major and the Political Science department does not allow any. That is the requirement for double majors at least...</p>

<p>Wow you are an ambitious person. I was thinking about double majoring, but changed my mind because i don't want to delay my time. You are lucky that everything overlaps great. The only thing left is to see if you get into Cal. Good luck!</p>

<p>thank you mobilemayhem!</p>

<p>that is the tricky part...lol</p>

<p>Have you tried talking to somebody from Stats? A general L&S person may not know as much about it. If half their students are triple majoring, perhaps they can put you in touch with a few of them so you can ask how they did it.</p>

<p>thats a good point. i think i'm going to do that.</p>

<p>on paper it makes sense. but in real life? things may change, and you dont end up in a job with that high standards, or not in a really demanding market in the future. you just spent all that valuable 1)time 2)money 3)energy/effort. Its just not worth it. If anything, just keep the double major, and spend that other effort on internship, or a job related in your field. that is, if you have the energy to do so. good luck.</p>

<p>like i said it's 3 or 4 more classes. if 3 or 4 classes is really that much more effort, i don't think i can do the other 12-14 classes required to grad berkeley.</p>

<p>also, i still plan on doing internships throughout. </p>

<p>but, like i said before, this thread is about what classes can overlap in a triple major, not whether a triple major is a good idea. so please stop keeping this thread alive with a pointless discussion on a decision i've already made.</p>

<p>Psst, you might get more answers by asking this in the Berkeley forum.</p>

<p>I just came across this forum today and found it interesting that you are considering this route. As for whether or not it is possible, I can guarantee you that it is, because I did the exact same thing when I went to Cal for undergrad (I’m currently a grad student). I also know of someone who did the same three majors a few years ago as well, and he got accepted into Berkeley Statistics PhD right out of college.</p>

<p>I cannot speak for all triple majors, but every one of my majors was useful in its own way. You learn to think about current events like an economist, solve problems like a statistician, and have the technical background of a math major to tackle future endeavors.</p>

<p>I see that this post is quite old and I’m just interested if you went through with the triple major and what you are up to these days.</p>

<p>Best of luck in any case =)</p>