<p>Hello,
I am in a bit of conundrum. I am a college senior at a top 15 school and currently majoring International Studies. Ive completed all requirements for my major EXCEPT advanced french. I started out in intermediate freshmen year but honestly, its just been a huge huge struggle for me. I had to drop it and my french hasnt really improved since then (def my fault, just didnt really care to practice).</p>
<p>Because I had a poor semester last year, I had to retake 2 classes which means in order to graduate now, I need to have two fully loaded semesters this year. If I was taking advanced french alone without another hard class (im retaking calc 2 to replace the D), then I wouldnt be worried. However, I am 6 classes including calc 2 and advanced french has always just been extremely hard for me (10 page paper final and grammar tests and weekly commentaries). My main focus right now is graduating and if I drop a class or fail out of one, I will be behind for graduation. </p>
<p>International Studies and political science are kinda the same here. I would drop IS and major in Political Science with an Economics Minor. Is this bad? Should i stick it out in French and try to do IS or focus on graduating on time and do Poli Sci with econ?</p>
<p>What impact would it have on your intended career to graduate with the IS degree vs. the Poli Sci/Econ degree? I would think that the only real benefit is if you were truly fluent in a foreign language (such as French) and looking to be employed by an international organization that would utilize your French language skills. Otherwise, any grad school or business or government group that is interested in hiring an “International Studies” grad is probably equally interested in hiring that grad with a “Poli Sci/Econ” degree. </p>
<p>I am in medicine and know nothing about the hiring practices of any of groups, but the Poli Sci/Econ sounds more marketable to me. I would vote that you do what you need to graduate on time and move forward into the first steps of graduate school or entry-level jobs in your intended career path.</p>
<p>Your career office at school should be able to offer more substantive advice.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response. Honestly, I do not want a career in IS or attend grad school for it.
I want to retake calc 2 bec i really dont want a D on my transcript if i can avoid it. is it a good idea to keep a D if i can retake the course and increase my GPA?</p>
<p>I believe I can retake calc and do decently to raise a D to a B at least. RIght now I have a 3.2 with that D…if D is retaken and I get a B, i can graduate with a 3.4 - 3.5. Im really conflicted. Idk what is important. I do not nec like IS and I dont plan to pursue a career in striclty international relations nor apply to international relations grad schools</p>
<ol>
<li><p>There is nothing in the world you can do with an International Studies degree that you can’t do with a Political Science degree. And vice versa.</p></li>
<li><p>If you don’t want to take advanced French, you don’t want to be an International Studies major. You have already made that decision. Anyway, if you haven’t taken French in more than two years, and you didn’t like it all that much three years ago, trying to take advanced French this year is a recipe for disaster.</p></li>
<li><p>If you can switch to PoliSci, complete all the requirement, and graduate on time, you are sooooooo lucky! Way more lucky than you deserve, since this potential train wreck has been something you have known about for years. Why on Earth are you hesitating?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank u for talking sense into my head. half of the people around me are making me feel bad for letting go of IS altho the only last requirement I have is French. tough decision</p>
<p>As a parent who PAYS for college for my children, another year at school is something that hurts a lot financially. It would really have to be worth it to take even another term of college. Who is paying for your college? Would you get funds, if on aid, for another year? How much is this costing you? I am being pragmatic here. If you are commuting to school, and another year, another term can be paid for by federal funds and it can bring up your average GPA to over a 3.0, and makes an overall difference, maybe it makes sense. If you or parents are paying for this, you should take that cost into account. </p>
<p>Also if you haven’t taken French in a while, and languages are not your strong point, taking advanced French with a full load might hurt you in many ways, more than changing your major. </p>
<p>If the French or other issue truly turns out to be a stumbling block in career opportunities, you can take it at night at a state school. It’s not like it’s your last chance to take French. You can then say you have the requirement for an IS degree. My husband hires those who are not math type majors but have had certain math, modeling type courses. He could not care less about what the person majored in, just if they have certain knowledge and skills, and if they don’t have it with a math major, it’s an issue. It’ s just that math majors are more likely to have taken those courses and have some knowledge of the subject matter so anyone not a major, needs to be asked (and they are, even the math majors) or bring it up. </p>
<p>Do whatever it takes to graduate on time. period full stop. The distinction between IS and Poli Sci is one that is even too fine for people who HIRE IS and Poli Sci majors.</p>
<p>I think the Calc business is a distraction as well, but if you think you can pull it off, go for it.</p>
<p>But I’d be dropping French in a nanosecond.</p>
<p>@strongbeans12: Your polisci + ECON will get you wherever you want to go. Fixing up your math grade is important, in part b/c it helps your credibility in economics. “International studies” at most colleges is less defined than a major in a specific traditional discipline. You’re success in the job market is going to depend on your overall abilities, your specific skills, your experience, and your career goals – and above all your success in a career will depend on how hard you work.</p>
<p>Definitely drop French. For it to have an positive impact on your career you would need fluency and this class will not provide that. Political science and econ seems a better choice anyway. Replace the calc grade. </p>
<p>No need to stick with the IS major especially if it doesn’t really interest you. My son realized senior year (too late for him alas!) that he could probably have wound up exactly where he is now as a history major and have had better grades to boot. The foreign language requirement was a big stumbling block for him, he ended up spending his junior year abroad to achieve the required fluency. I agree if you can’t handle the French, don’t take it. A foreign language you aren’t ready for is a huge time suck. There’s nothing wrong with a polisci degree. As a parent, I’d want you to graduate in four years.</p>
<p>Actually I wouldn’t take French and also I wouldn’t retake the Calc II class. Would that drop you below full time status? Also does your college “replace” the grade or simply average them? I thought most college just average the two grades…</p>
<p>I agree with everyone else. Drop French, switch majors, retake Calc, and graduate on time with a better GPA and indistinguishable credentials–except for a lack of fluency in French, which you wouldn’t gain in a year anyway.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for guiding me through this decision and making me see the bigger picture. It seems so clear now but when Im in panic mode, its hard to really think through things clearly. I can always rely on this forum, Parents one in particular, for great great level-headed advice. French has been dropped</p>