<p>Do many Smith students double major? Is that something that is feasible or only for those rare few students who manage it? </p>
<p>I'm really interested in an area studies major, but I would also love to try my hand at CS since my previous experience with it was good and I think not doing a science major when you're at such a supportive school for it would be something I would regret later. I just am not willing to set aside my area studies hopes either. Any experience on this subject would be welcome!</p>
<p>I’d say it’s definitely feasible, especially if you start early. I know a lot of people who are doing it. It’s definitely not something only a few manage. Of course, it depends on how early you start and how good you are at stuff like time management in general, but if you’re already sure of what you’re majoring in you should be fine. And definitely try CS! I’m a CS major myself and I love it.</p>
<p>Can I ask you a stupid question then? I’m currently attending Hampshire, and I’ve taken a lot of CS courses there because I was considering CS as a major for a while. But eventually I got really discouraged, I think because of the group dynamic of being the only girl in a class and really feeling unprepared without a strong CS background from High School. Do you find the CS program at Smith is more supportive? I’m not looking for “easier”, but a setting where I don’t fall prey to thinking I can’t do something because I’m a girl or because everyone else is so far beyond me, etc. I know that sounds kind of funny, but I really felt extremely isolated as the only female and as a newcomer to the subject. </p>
<p>That’s not a stupid question at all! It’s something that I’m sure made many, many people worry. The CS department is extremely supportive. The professors are very helpful, and quite brilliant, and there are student TAs almost every night who are always ready to help too. It’s a great environment. I’m friends with a lot of the CS majors from all years, and they’re always extremely friendly. I was mostly a newcomer when I started last semester (I’d only ever done web programming), but I’ve never had any problems with the environment, I love it. The CS department is welcoming, and you’ll always get all the help you need. </p>
<p>I’d like to add that I am a sophomore at Smith and I am currently taking the intro programming course. I had never taken a programming course before and I absolutely love the class! We have lots of support from the professor and TAs, and of course at Smith we don’t have the problem of being the only girl in the class. </p>
<p>Regarding double majors, I know lots of people who double major, major and minor, major and concentrate etc. (For example a friend double majoring in art history and comp sci.) Definitely possible. How easy it is depends on how many classes the majors require and how early you get started, or how many transfer credits you have in each area.</p>
<p>My D did a double in Government and Math, pretty widely separated fields. Might be more difficult from a scheduling perspective if one of your majors is a laboratory oriented science/engineering course. Or a studio art course.</p>
<p>Thank you for the input, I’ll have to see how many semesters I am given at Smith if they accept me! </p>
<p>I am an intended double major in neuroscience and studio art. When I visited I talked to a decent number of current students that are double majoring and it seems completely fine if you start early and are willing to take 5 classes instead of 4 every now and then.</p>