Declaring

<p>Is it better to declare next semester or wait until next fall (for a current freshmen here)? I’m deciding between biochemistry or behavorial science(yes, I know, they’re on opposite sides on the spectrum- I was called “special” for this). I’m sure that I could wait until fall to declare based upon my class schedule now, but I’m just wondering- I feel like I should dom something about it now. I’ll be taking behavorial science next semester, so I want to see how that’s like before I declare.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure I want to do CompSci, but I don't feel like declaring until late next year or early fall of next year, just to leave my options open.</p>

<p>my recomendation is to wait until at least middle of next semester. that will give you a broader taste of different classes. as for waiting til the following fall or not, talk to your current academic advisor on it. if you're fairly certain, its nice to get your settle fixed and meet the advisor you'll have for the next over 3 years, and in certain cases start on your track right away (or get ahead).</p>

<p>number one thing is talk to teachers who know you and see what they think about different majors, then talk with people in the different majors you are considering, then sleep on it for a while. take their advice, but then decide what it is you truly want to study. remember, just because its your major doesn't mean you'll do it your whole military career (my father was a EE major, and hasn't used it a day in his 23+ years in the military)</p>

<p>As long as you have all the classes you need for next fall (as in they're all core or required by both majors), don't rush. I know for some majors (like mech) they don't even let you declare until after spring semester prog if you're a freshman.</p>

<p>Also, look at what you might want to do after you graduate in case you are not PQ. I'm pretty sure you can only get some AFSCs with certain majors. So, like eagle said, just look into it more and sleep on it.</p>

<p>Whatever you choose as a major, make sure it is something you LIKE. You will devote a lot of time to whatever you choose, and it will be infinitely worse for you if you spend all of this time doing something that you dislike.</p>

<p>When deciding on a major, it is helpful to talk to instructors, however, I found it more helpful to talk to cadets in those particular majors. While every instructor thinks their subject is the best one out there, cadets can be a lot more brutally honest about the advantages and disadvantages of a given major.</p>

<p>It is true that you might not use your major after graduation at all. I know a lot of pilots that this applies to. However, there is a chance that things won't go as planned and you may find it necessary to fall back on your major. I washed out of pilot training and I am now a behavioral scientist (after majoring in behavioral science - human factors). ;)</p>

<p>im really set on aero, though id like to get a lil more information from my cadets. Thats always a good idea, its real early</p>

<p>The deadline to declare was just about two weeks ago for 2011, so you have almost an entire year left to think about it. Talk with people in each major, take advantage of Major's Night next semester, and declare once you feel confident of what you want.</p>

<p>The advantage of declaring early is that you don't have to take courses you don't need. If you placed in to Calc II first semester, your Spring semester will have you taking Calc III. So if you're relatively sure you want to do Behavioral Sci, declare so you don't take Calc III for no reason and hurt your gpa.</p>

<p>If that is the case (taking calc III before you declare), you can just have your advisor move it and tell them you are not sure about your major. That way you don't have to rush into declaring</p>

<p>If you decide to go with Biochemistry **you **NEED TO DECLARE NEXT SEMESTER. Take this from a biochem major! You NEED to be enrolled in pchem for the fall or you will be behind in the major. A couple guys are behind right now and having to load up on organic and pchem at the same time (this will kill anyone but the toughest of spirit!). </p>

<p>If you want more answered about The biochem track, I can help you out. Been there and doing that! Go talk to the BS kids too. You really need to figure out by the due date for class changes next semester if you want to be a chem major. If you decide chem is not right for you, then you will have more time to decide on others.</p>

<p>Regarding unnecessary math classes being taken...
I placed into Calc III but had never taken Calc II, so instead of just taking the credit for Calc II, I opted to take it, then I took Calc III (TWICE!). I ended up declaring Behavioral Science, so I could have just taken the credit for Calc II and not dealt with 3 semesters of math. Hindsight... ;)</p>

<p>I would wait until around prog NEXT semester.
That gives you more classes to experience, a longer time talking to people in specific majors, and more time to think.</p>

<p>I would also try to declare before fall schedules for next year are made.</p>

<p>Our chem sub was talking about pchem today... Yeah, he did not have good things to say about it.
Yeah, I could use some more pointers on biochem, I'm really interested in declaring, since I'm coming out of Chem 110 anyway. Is it a really hard major like everyone says it is?</p>

<p>Hornet can give you better insider info than I can, but my last roommate usually stayed up past 2330 working on orgo, zoology, or some other similar class...and he started earlier than I do.</p>

<p>zoology is bio, not biochem. ;) pssgiraffe, PM me if you'd like to sit down and discuss the major. I'd be happy to fill you in on it.</p>

<p>I usually try to stay away from that part of Fairchild. There are no history classes over there. :)</p>

<p>if i could id stay away from any history class ever! :p</p>