<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I am major in Joint Math and Econ(=Math/Econ) now. I want to be an actuary in the future(hopefully). But I am also interested in Chem. I want to declare double major in Chem-Biochem. I know it's far away from my ideal career, but no one knows what will happen in next 10 years. Back to reality, if I declare Chem-Biochem, I believe that I am gonna put a mountain on my back coz work/research/intern will make me breathless. I am also afraid Chem-Biochem will take me too much time, which maybe affect the study of Math/Econ. </p>
<p>I am sure that I desire double major, but I am uncertain of my potential major. There are two choices that I feel distracted.</p>
<p>1) Applied Math+Economics
It will prepare me well for the future career. I can graduate in three years. I like both Math and Econ. They are my interest. I will have plenty time to intern.</p>
<p>2) Joint Math and Econ+Chem-Biochem
I can pursue econ and chem at the same time. If I apply for grad. school, maybe I will take dental/medical school into consideration. A LOT OF work. Probably I need to stay extra one quarter in college(4 yrs plus one quarter for graduation). Since these two are in two directions, so I need to search for various interns/research. I like both econ and chem.</p>
<p>Too hard to choose. Please help! I really appreciate ur help.</p>
<p>Are you just interested in studying chemistry? Or do you want a career in chemistry? Because you don’t need a major/minor/whatever to take chem classes…</p>
<p>Double majors–especially when both are perceived to be difficult and are in substantially different fields–will imply indecisiveness. For example, people might think (or might even ask): why did you find the time to take a full major’s worth of credits in major Y when you could have used it to take on extracurriculars (e.g. part time jobs/internships or organizational involvement) or practical credits related to major X?</p>
<p>It’s easier to explain away easy second majors: “I thought major Y was very interesting and wanted to satisfy my intellectual curiosity while I had a unique opportunity (college student) to do so, but major X is definitely my true focus.”</p>
<p>And that aside, it’ll be difficult to keep your GPA up if you overload yourself with two difficult majors, and you’ll risk burning out.</p>
<p>Go with math/econ. That’s clearly your primary interest here, and it’s one of the better paths you can take in the new economy. Chem will require you to go to graduate school to be of any value, and there are serious rumblings of market saturation at the PhD/postdoc level.</p>
<p>I want to be an actuary in the future, but I have a passion for chem as well.</p>
<p>Thx a lot! Pretty persuasive thinking! @akhbhaat</p>