<p>Obviously, academics at the Air Force Academy are challenging. The problem for me is that I’m interested in far too many things. </p>
<p>I was wondering how hard it would be to double-major at AFA. I know it’s technically possible, but what percentage (about) of a each class go through with it? Would I still graduate in 4 years?</p>
<p>i've met a couple of kids double majoring in math and physics. they'll graduate in 4 years, but they pretty much hate life.</p>
<p>older people, correct me if i'm wrong, but if you are majoring in physics with a focus on math, it's only a few more math classes to double major (i think HG actually told me that first.)</p>
<p>you can minor in a foreign language or philosophy, and they're looking to start a math minor program soon too. these can go with any major.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, it is a bad idea.</p>
<p>The only exceptions are if you validate a bunch of courses and the majors are very similar.</p>
<p>It is possible, but generally not attempted because it's horrendously dificult. I'd say you might get a handful (maybe 5, 10 people? I don't know...) that double major each year. Also, you must graduate in 4 years.</p>
<p>Advice: Think a bit about majors now, but don't really worry about it until you get here. Take a few classes. See what you really like. Learn about each department. Decide upon a major and do well with it. Pick up a minor too if you want. I can't recommend Spanish enough, but honestly, I'd love to take all 8 languages.</p>
<p>i'm waiting until next semester to declare. but i've already decided for the most part.</p>
<p>Yeah, someone in the great class of 2012 wants to double major in Astro and Aero, he is currently engaged, AND wanted to do Honor Guard. I have met him so he does exist, but he isn't doing Honor Guard. Otherwise, he is engaged and still planning on doing an Astro/Aero course. I feel so sorry for him.</p>
<p>My friend is a Poli/Sci and Foreign Area Studies double major and Chinese minor. She is ALWAYS working. Still has fun, but gets very little sleep and is perpetually stressed. There are many Physics/Math double majors because its only about 4 extra classes I think. Unless the majors have a lot of overlap, double majoring is a horrible (if not nearly impossible) idea due to the amount of classes that would be required. </p>
<p>I HIGHLY recommend waiting at least a year to find out if you have the ability to do even ONE major. Remember, everyone came from the top 3% of high school to here, yet the average GPA before firstie year for each class is usually below a 3.0.</p>
<p>to be honest, many of the cadets who go here and major in something they work their tail off for four years. Once they get comissioned, they go to pilot training, enjoy a nice 20 year career and go fly for the airlines, never coming close to anything they study. Keep this in mind when you are trying to select a major.</p>
<p>I want to be an astronaut and was considering double maj in astro and aero. Can any put thier two cents on that. How many classes can you validate and how?</p>
<p>This guy in my squadron ended up validating all but three courses you're supposed to take your junior year or something around there.
From what I've heard though, all you need to enter the space program is one major like aero, then you need to go to test pilot school. A guy in our squadron asked the cadre that during basic, and that's what they told him, I believe.</p>
<p>Best bet: graduate with high grades (techie major), get into fighters/bombers (ENJJPT?), then go to TPS.</p>
<p>I don't know, I'd have to disagree with the majority. I started off as a Comp Eng and EE double major and I didn't think it was difficult. Only reason I gave that idea is because I wanted a CE degree for my future job. Really, if you want to double major and you're willing to work for it, it's very doable as long as both majors have somewhat similar classes so you can knock off two at once. My best advice about anything here is, try it, don't listen to others, and see how it works out for you.</p>
<p>Translation for the majority: Non-geniuses might have a hard time with it. If you think you can do it, shoot for the moon. :)</p>
<p>Honestly, to be frank, double majoring in aero and astro would be a @#$%ing stupid idea...</p>
<p>Sorry, just venting after my week of GR's (and more to come next week)... and I only have one major!</p>
<p>duckphreak, don't be late to breakfast like today. ;) Genius will only get you so far! (Please don't explode me).</p>
<p>Hornet it is never a good idea to taunt someone who can make you blow up, and make it look like an accident. If I didn't know she really likes ducks I would think the duckphreak was from other EOD types telling her to duck when she blows stuff up.</p>
<p>I have a question that's related to a double major, but not exactly the same, but I thought I'd ask it here because I've got a spare minute or two.</p>
<p>I'm not going to lie. I'm a political junky. Its a bad habit that started by always having NPR opressively forced upon me in the car when I was a kid.</p>
<p>That being said. I'm going to major in a science just because I really like them and I want to be an AF doc. Now, I realize that the majors at USAFA are killer. But, lets say I was a bio major. Would I have enough time scheduling-wise to take a polisci or government class or two? Or by declaring your major, do you really get yourself on a track that's difficult to break off from. I've seen the big course catelog that has the "Course Schedule for ------- Major" where they've basically listed every class a cadet would take for all four years of that major. (I know, thinking far ahead. I just thought about it last night and thought I'd ask)</p>
<p>Wow CranoOrden, NPR being forced on a captive audience, serious sympathies. Just sneak a few conservative Podcasts on the IPOD for balance. I'd like to suggest Hugh Hewitt at Townhall, and maybe Dennis Prager. </p>
<p>Double majors are not for the feint of heart anywhere. Gotta believe a Double at USAFA is even harder. It can be accomplished and has been done with some degree of regularity. Just remember a couple of things, the first year is pretty well laid out for you, and you will have much to occupy your time. Second you don't have to declare until your second year which will give you some time to decide if it really is for you.</p>
<p>Potter entered thinking she would do Aero, and called about a month ago to tell me she declared Behavioral Science Human Factors. Now I'm not a complicated guy and I got the Techie Engineering stuff, but the Fuzzy head shrinking stuff still has me stumped. The one thing I do know is if she double majored I'd probably get a call telling me to come talk her off the roof of Sijan from all the stress.</p>
<p>That being said, you will get to take a few poli sci classes (whether you like it or not) since the core curriculum here encompasses everything.</p>
<p>Do a double major if it is going to help you for your career after you commission otherwise go the traditional route and have less stress. Remember everything you learn now is just your foundation, after you graduate you will be sent to various schools to learn the particulars of your job.</p>
<p>Trust me I know some great pilots who majored in Econ and some not so great that majored in aerospace (rephrase---I have heard since I wasn't actually in the plane, but every WSO wife knows when to feel safe and when to be nervous in regards to the pilot)</p>