Double Major for Film

College Majors
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I’m a high school Senior who will be attending Wesleyan University next year. I am currently going to be a film-major with a pre-law track. What I’m trying to decide on right now is what a “safe” and well-paying stable double-major would be as film is notoriously unstable and I don’t want to waste my tuition money. I am currently considering adding computer science as it seems interesting and it seems like a good “safety net” for a tricky major like film. Some questions I have? What are some other “safe” majors? Does Wesleyan have a good computer science program?

Thanks!

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Any major can be safe. You can do Poli sci or anthropology and be fine. As an LAC, it doesn’t have pre professional majors like business. But, especially if you’re a pre law, reading and writing would be beneficial.

CS would be tough - you need to be all in.

But any major, from Econ to language to social science or humanities major to natural science to CS would be fine.

A lot depends on what excites you.

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I think a lot of people choose Economics as the default “safe” major. But as stated above, Wesleyan is a top-rated LAC and a lot depends on what floats your boat.

You can minor in “Informatics and Modeling” and get quite a bit of computer programming experience along with a cross-section of molecular biology and biochemistry (MBBC):
Informatics and Modeling, Wesleyan University - Wesleyan University

Here are the recommended courses:
WesMaps - Wesleyan University

My understanding is that there are two tracks, one is more CS oriented and the othe seems more BMMC oriented:
Welcome, Informatics and Modeling - Wesleyan University

And finally, you may want to consider a Certificate in Applied Data Science, a lean course of study consisting of 8 courses drawn from the following milieu:
WesMaps - Wesleyan University

Again, you get your programming and a wider POV in terms of applicability. Applied Data, Wesleyan University - Wesleyan University

My hunch is that you’ll get plenty of writing assignments in the Film Dept. :slightly_smiling_face:

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Right now, CS isn’t necessarily a promise of financial security. Lots of layoffs. Though Wesleyan is a top school so grads may do better than some grads from lesser schools.

I feel kind of sad that you are considering changing from film. These 4 undergrad years should be about what you love to study and do, but I understand the financial pressures.

I have a kid who did CS and is financially successful, and kid doing music and film, who supports themselves well enough- and has a good day job. You can major in film and go on to grad or professional school, teach, work in another area entirely, or work in film. I think you should stick with film major and not overplan- things will work out.

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So when my acting conservatory kid was applying we thought he would do a second major in accounting or economics for just the reasons you are discussing. He is at a conservatory where the only option is arts management and this has actually been helpful. He has found internships this summer as a rising junior and there are many jobs after school in this field that are adaptable for working in the arts. Do they have an arts management or similar type major/minor at Wesleyan? The other very practical course is to take education classes.

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Thank you! I was more considering adding a major to film. Trying to balance what I love and what’s stable if that makes sense.

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Hoping you can just follow your interests without a “backup” plan. The hardest thing in life, I think, is the balance between planning and letting things happen. It seems to be that undergrad years may be the last time you can do the latter :slight_smile:

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