Double major in undergrad -> grad school?

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm a senior in HS, so I obviously don't have a clear idea of where I want to go with my life, but I'm thinking of doing a double major in International Relations + Political Theory at Michigan State (the James Madison residential college). My question is, if I wanted to attend grad school (masters or phd) in either IR or PoliSci would it hurt me to have double-majored rather than concentrated only in that area?
Another question, the JMC offers the major "political theory and constitutional democracy" rather than poli-sci, how would this affect an application to poli-sci grad school?</p>

2

<p>no... it will make you stand out ASSUMING that the second major is related to an area of interest, etc., AND that you still were as successful as other students in earning a strong GPA and doing research, publishing, etc.</p>

<p>in other words, it can help you...or it can hurt you. it all depends how you use it.</p>

3

<p>Great, thanks a lot. Yes, politics and IR are both areas that i'm very interested. As far as research/publishing, how widespread is this at the undergrad level? And can anybody elaborate on the differences between studying "political theory/constitutional democracy" and simply political science?</p>

4

<p>I have no idea, I don't go to MSU. What you should do is ask the professors of each class, also look at the required courses for each. This should give you some idea of where each goes. I'm guess they'll share at least some classes so the difference shouldn't be significant.</p>

5

<p>thanks .</p>

6

<p>When you apply to grad school (PhD level), find professors whom you want to study under and you share your research interests.</p>

7

<p>
[quote]

As far as research/publishing, how widespread is this at the undergrad level?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It really depends on your discipline and the "tier" of student/applicant you are...
I don't know polisci/IR that well as my area is clinical psychology, so I can't really answer that for you. I've noticed that a lot of science majors seem to have more papers published than do top psych applicants. This may be due to a difference in students' expectations (i.e., clinical psychology is the largest subfield of psychology and many students are thinking more clinical work than research), so i really can't answer what it'd be like in your field. You should ask the profs in the depts you apply to at the UG level for their thoughts.</p>

8

<p>hmm thanks</p>