<p>This might have been asked already, but I just wanna ask if double majoring is possible at princeton? From a person I know who goes there, he says double majoring is VERY DISCOURAGED. I've also heard from other people that Princeton won't encourage you to double major, only to major + minor. I plan on majoring in both political science and aerospace (or mec.) engineering. Any answers would be appreciated.</p>
<p>you cannot double major at princeton...they have a one-degree rule...in the Undergraduate Announcement it says that although some students may complete the requirements for the major in more than one department, the degree and honors are awarded in one department only.</p>
<p>Also, if you think about it, double majoring would require doing TWO junior papers and TWO senior thesis. That is a BUTTLOAD of work.</p>
<p>However, you CAN get a certificate in another field, as long as you fulfill the requirements.</p>
<p>You can get a certificate in as many fields as you like, but you have to fulfill the requirements of them all. Many have requirements akin to what other concentrations have, so it's almost like double majoring.</p>
<p>I think the no-double-major-rule sucks. Other schools allow for it, so why shouldn't you be able to graduate with two degrees? And if a 'concentration' is just like a minor why don't they bloody well call it one?? How many concentrations are allowed, seriously? Five? Six? What is considered the maximum possible for most students?</p>
<p>The no-double major rule may be due to the thesis- honestly, even if someone was willing to do two of those beasts, would they have the time? And even if they were somehow able to pull it off, it doesnt look good for Princeton to have one of its students die from exhaustion.</p>
<p>i never really understood the point of double-majoring....</p>
<p>Princeton also expects people to graduate in 4 years, and it's really hard to double major in less than 5.</p>
<p>Also, I believe concentrations are a Harvard thing. Minors here are called "certificates", which to me sounds like a stupid piece of paper that I don't want.</p>
<p>I think calling minors certificates is dumb. I get the same image as prettyfish. I think double-majoring isn't necesarily a good thing. a lot of times you don't find out what you truly love because from day one you had to have 4 years planned out with little time for electives besides required courses</p>
<p>Yea concentrations aren't minors...they're majors...</p>
<p>erm,
concentration = major
certificate = minor. </p>
<p>And there is no real RULE against double majoring but it's nearly impossible because of the thesis requirement. But a lot of people get certificates...it's not so bad...
at some schools they don't have minors which really sucks.</p>
<p>but then again I would have fun doing 2 senior thesi</p>
<p>Anyone want to answer this:</p>
<p>what's the point of double majoring?</p>
<p>Mzhang - I think the double major appeal lies in shooting two birds with one stone... getting two degrees at once. Princeton's thesis requirement for a degree makes this difficult, and they explicitly state that they will not reward a degree from more than one department, even if you do go ahead and write two thesis and fulfill all the requirements for two departments :mad:. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Minors here are called "certificates", which to me sounds like a stupid piece of paper that I don't want.
[/quote]
:p true!</p>
<p>Edit: How many certificates are allowed, seriously? Five? Six? What is considered the maximum possible for most students?</p>
<p>Oops, my mistake. I thought that only Harvard called the major "concentrations", but alas, my UA does indeed prove me wrong.</p>
<p>My guess would be feasibly you could only do one or two certificates. Most departments (I believe) have requirements that say that in order to get a certificate you have to do the thesis on something related - i.e. if you're an English major getting an African American Studies certificate, your thesis should be about African American writers. Melding any more than 2 certificates into a thesis would be hard, imo, especially if it's unrelated things. </p>
<p>Although, it does pose a problem for the science ppl - how exactly am I suppose to work /anything/ other than math into my thesis?</p>
<p>if you're really hardcore, you could design your own interdisciplinary concentration...</p>
<p>Getting two undergrad degrees means nothing. As far as I know, grad schools don't hold anything against Princeton's 1-major policy.</p>
<p>i think im going to get 3 certificates possibly if i end up at pton, but two for sure
i also think that 'certificate' sounds cool and accomplished</p>
<p>When I think of certificate I think of a stupid peice of paper that isn't worth anything.</p>
<p>Certificate sounds like something from DeVry, University of Phoenix, or one of those kinda schools.</p>
<p>I'm not getting a certificate for the name. I'm getting it cause I love studying in different fields, and at least at the end of it you will have something to show for it.</p>