<p>How much of the coursework overlaps with these majors?
Also is it possible to take on this double major combo and still be able keep a 3.9+ GPA while I'm at it?
Any experiences, thoughts, opinions, suggestions? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Overlap: Great. The double major may not require very many classes. I’m going down the physics/math double major path, and it is encouraged by my advisor.</p>
<p>GPA : That is something that is going to depend on how good you are at these subjects and studying. A 3.9 will be hard hard work. In my opinion, the gpa is important but not something that should influence your decision unless you are looking at medical school.</p>
<p>Overlap will include all lower division math courses. Also, some of the upper division math courses taken by math majors are commonly recommended for physics and astrophysics majors.</p>
<p>I always preferred doing “dual” majors as opposed to “double” majors, especially if the majors are related and the extra coursework to obtain 2 degree will not be in courses that you care about. I would think that it is possible to complete all of the requirements for an astrophysics/math dual major within the same 120-semester/180-quarter credit degree program.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, it really does sound like a great idea especially since most classes do overlap. I enjoy both astrophysics and math in general but I like the subject of physics and I like the vocational flexibility of math, so I couldn’t decide on one… and then it occurred to me that the two should not be far from each other in terms of degree requirements so why not get both.
Yes, actually I was looking at law school as a possibility so GPA is extremely important to me. How difficult would it be to keep the dual majors and keep the high GPA?</p>
<p>You are more likely to get a good GPA in subjects that you are interested in.</p>
<p>Thanks guys!
I’d definitely love to hear more experiences and suggestions though, if there are more of you on here :)</p>
<p>I think a 3.9+ is unrealistic for a physics and math major. I’m sure there are people out there who do it, but they are probably few and far between. I think 3.6 and up is much more possible.</p>
<p>I always tell folks majoring in the mathematical sciences and engineering to do your best (as far as GPA) without compromising your lifestyle too much.</p>
<p>You DON’T want to be that math/physics/CS major walking around campus in the heat while wearing corduroy pants and hiker boots and reading some upper-level math book.</p>
<p><strong>Yes I saw it with my own eyes</strong></p>
<p>I agree that 3.9 is not a realistic goal to go in with</p>
<p>I’m sure that there are brilliant people who get 3.9 GPAs in math and/or physics (or other “hard” majors). But that is a lot different from expecting to get a 3.9 GPA.</p>
<p>Do you all really think so? What if I only majored in math, and forgot about the double major idea? Is a 3.9 still unrealistic?</p>
<p>You do physics because you love physics. If you are sure you want to go to law school and physics is not your first love, then I would just do math and scrap the double major idea. The only reason I would ever major in astrophysics to begin with is if that was what your set passion was. If it is only an interest, then I don’t see the point.</p>
<p>^ I agree with aGGieEngineer. I earned a BS is Astronomy from the University of Maryland College Park because it was my passion but then went to Drexel University School of Medicine and obtained an MD so I could earn a living.</p>
<p>I am glad I am not the only one. I actually have a passion for maths and an increasing obsession with astronomy/astrophysics/physics. Plus, I am best at both. However, I also plan to go on to law school to earn a living. I was just wondering if it is really particularly tough to attain a 3.9 or so with two majors like maths and physics, regardless of how much they overlap and how devoted you are to it.
I heard engineering majors really wreak havoc on GPAs. Are the sciences/maths on pretty much the same side of the spectrum?</p>
<p>Well, keep in mind, the first 2 years of most engineering programs are very similar to the first 2 years of a math, physics, stats or computer science curriculum. The “applied” versions of the math, physics or stats degrees would have junior/senior courses that in some cases are very similar to engineering courses so maintaining a high GPA would be just as difficult.</p>
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<p>Math majors do have decent job and career prospects in areas like quantitative finance and actuarial work; some also move into areas like computer software (taking a few CS courses can help you with that, and taking some economics, finance, and statistics courses can help you with the other jobs). So not getting into a top 14 law school is not necessarily going to doom you to poverty after graduation.</p>
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<p>Science and math are generally regarded as having the least grade inflation compared to other majors. However, if your best subject is math, then you may still get a better GPA in math than in the usually more grade inflated humanities and social studies.</p>