Double majoring at Harvard -- a good idea?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

I’m an incoming freshman (class of 2023) and really want to do a double major (not joint concentration since economics doesn’t offer it) in Economics and Philosophy. The dream is to go to law school, and I love both subjects, but I’ve heard from current students that Harvard generally advises against double majors. Does anyone happen to know more about this? And how would this affect participating in extra-curricular activities? I want to pursue HRO and debate as well as club or intramural volleyball, so I know I’ll have to cut something at some point to make sure I’m still sane :slight_smile:

(Also, yes, I am far, far into the future right now, but I’d like some kind of understanding of my future now so it’s not such a big deal when I’m declaring a concentration there :-O)

2

Replace “generally advises against” with “does not allow” in order to create an accurate sentence.

3

You can do a primary concentration in Economics and then a secondary in Philosophy (or vice versa). From what I remember, generally a secondary consists of about 6 semester classes.

Doing a secondary is very manageable and quite common–it just basically means you have less non-concentration-related courses to fill your schedule.

4

Is it possible to do a primary concentration in music and then a secondary in computer science? How common students do one in BA and the other in BS? Thanks!

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Yes. A CS secondary is only 4 courses.

CS is a BA degree at Harvard (A.B. in Harvard terminology)

6

Thank you so much for answering my questions!

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The music major takes 50% of your total classes, then look at gen ed, the courses needed for CS secondary and plot it out.

To the OP, as you know, you are getting ahead of yourself :slight_smile:

8

Interesting it is no longer allowed. It used to be quite common, esp with two closely related majors such as the ones you mentioned. Perhaps the core classes are more numerous than they used to be. Econ builds on the foundations of philosophy esp if it’s political economic theory you are interested in pursuing. ( And what type of econ isn’t political these days?)
In any case, you could look this up online and talk to upper classmates who have current experience in this regard.

9

Not in my lifetime. A joint concentration (Harvard-speak calls “majors” “concentrations”) is allowed and is popular. However, individual departments can opt not to allow joint concentrations. While econ used to allow joint concentrations, as the OP correctly pointed out, it is no longer possible.

Not really. The components have changed a few times over the years, but it is still 8 courses, more or less (some of which can be double counted to concentration or secondary), plus Expository Writing, plus foreign language (if not fulfilled by exam)

As mentioned, if (and this is a big if) the OP is accepted and matriculates, s/he could opt for an Econ concentration and a Philosophy secondary, or vice versa.

I think that’s been covered.
:slight_smile:

10

My son would love to double major, but I don’t think he can. Harvard was very clear they won’t allow it. So for now he will try to major in biology and minor in economics. But he still has time to declare - he is a fresman now, so has another year plus some to make it official.

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@skieurope Well I think many of the parents of this board are quite a bit older than your lifetime :slight_smile: I thought the OP was asking for a double concentration ( and just didn’t realize the lingo) Still, I’m surprised Econ no longer offers that option. Hmm, and based on your post it has changed a lot. What about the writing intensive classes? Oh well, I guess they have their reasons.

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I’m sure many colleges have changed in some ways since my parents’ time.

@Happytimes2001 They are not alone; Psych and Applied Math are two other popular ones that don’t allow it. Some background:
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2007/12/3/no-joint-fields-in-ec-psych/

Expository Writing 20 is a graduation requirement

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Yeah, but you used to have to have a certain number of writing intensives to graduate. Not Expository writing but classes in which you wrote more than the norm.
That’s actually too bad, the best research and innovation often takes places at the intersection of two subjects. I guess more people are not saving that for graduate school. That would make me pause as a student especially if I had an interest in two disparate subjects. The most interesting people often study two things and then intertwine them in ways not thought of before.

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@skieurope I was accepted and have matriculated already (sorry, was very unclear in my post). In that case, have you heard anything about special concentrations? I will probably have to do a secondary instead, but I’ve heard some positives about special concentrations (though most people have been doing it between arts and history/literature often).

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I don’t know anyone personally who has done a special concentration.When you get to Harvard, I’m sure you an adviser can provide additional detail. Congrats and good luck