<p>Just out of curiosity, would it be easier to double-major or change majors? I have been accepted as a journalism student, but am starting to realize that communications studies would be a better major for me for my academic future. However, journalism is a major that I would better enjoy. I’ve considered double majoring in both, or simply changing majors to communications studies. So, generally speaking, would it be easier to double-major or change majors? Ideally, I would declare a double major, but I know that Cal Poly can be a bit touchy about doing that, even within the same school.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, why do you think communications would be a better fit? What exactly do you want to do? It is possible to double major, especially with two liberal arts majors. I know a couple people who are doing it. However, journalism and communications are, to most people (employers), similar enough that double majoring might not be worth it. Another option is to major in journalism and minor in communications.</p>
<p>Journalism is somewhat less broad than communications, which can help you focus more on a couple particular areas. Most of the communications majors I’ve met want to go into event planning. When I was thinking about changing my major to communications a while back, it was because I was interested in that as well. However, I’m glad I didn’t because I realized that event planning is definitely not something I enjoy.</p>
<p>So basically your easiest option is to stick with the journalism major and possibly add a comms minor. Second easiest is just changing to a comms major (should be quick and rather painless if you do it early). And the third would be double majoring. I’m basing that simply on the amount of classes you’d need to take and work you’d need to complete. Unless you have a lot of AP credits, it might also be difficult to get out in four years with a double major.</p>
<p>Ultimately, after earning a 4-year degree I plan on attending law school. It wasn’t until after I applied and was admitted to Cal Poly that I found the course descriptions to classes offered within both majors, and communications has a number of courses that seem to be focused around oral communication in general (public speaking is a requirement, whereas journalism does not), which will be beneficial as a lawyer. I originally declared journalism with the intention of following the editorial track (as I am interested in writing about things that are going on in the world). Communications focuses on public speaking, oral communication, and even has a class that focuses on argument and advocacy, which will be rather helpful to apply in law school and later on as an attorney. </p>
<p>I was hoping to intertwine the two with a double major because it seems that there are a number of overlaps within their graduation requirements, so meeting the 180 credit requirement for both does not look like it’s a problem. Also, it will allow me to pursue my love of researching/writing about local/national/international events while gaining a background in communications for the sake of public/oral communication that is not offered within my desired track in journalism.</p>
<p>I’m coming in to Cal Poly with AP credit from 8 exams (Government, Biology, Psychology, Environmental, English Lang, English Lit, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics), as well as 24 semester credits from courses at a local community college (I’m an out of state student).</p>
<p>ok cool. i’m out of state too btw. It sounds like communications might be a good fit for you then. I’ve heard that there is definitely a lot of public speaking involved, and you have to do quite a few oral presentations. I also know a couple journalism majors who have or are planning to go on to law school, so that could probably work as well. One of the journalism professors, former department chair, also attended law school. So I guess it mostly comes down to your personal choice. It’s likely that both would help increase your communication skills overall. </p>
<p>You could always just major in comms and be on the staff or do freelance for the Mustang Daily and use that as good extracurricular for law school. And you might already know about this, but Cal Poly also has a mock trial team that sounds interesting.</p>
<p>I did not know about the mock trial team. Do you know anything about it!? I take it you must be in the same school as I’m going to be, since you seem to know so much!</p>
<p>I realize that to either switch majors or declare a double major, there’s paperwork involved and a number of school officials that I have to have sign off. Which would be easier - declaring a double or changing, in terms of everything that goes along with the paperwork, approval, etc.? I’m still leaning towards a double major, just so that I have access to the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>I’d go with double. I talked with someone a couple days ago, and the girl’s double majoring with Business and I think engineering, too…not quite sure about the second. Plus, she has a minor. So get it done with as soon as possible, because the longer you wait the harder it is to do this.</p>
<p>I don’t know too much about mock trial, but it sounds like fun. I took a few poli-sci classes, and the students and teachers recommended mock trial for anyone with an interest in going to law school. It’s sort of like debate, but basically, it’s a mock trial competition where one group represents one side, like the defense, and the other group the opposite. You travel with the team and go up against other colleges. It’s technically a class, but most of the meeting seems to be outside of class. I think you get a lawyer who is your team mentor as well. I’m pretty sure anyone can enroll in the class - you might also be able to do it without enrolling.</p>
<p>Declaring a double can be a little tricky sometimes, but since both of yours are liberal arts, you should be ok. You might as well try, and if it doesn’t work for whatever reason, then just change. And yeah, I’m also in the college of liberal arts, so if you have any more questions, I could probably answer them :)</p>
<p>Thank you to the both of you! 
You’re very helpful! Do either of you know how soon is “too soon” to try to declare a double? I know to change majors, I have to wait until the end of my first quarter, but do I have to wait that same amount of time (or longer) to declare a double major?</p>
<p>I know what a mock trial is (I used to participate in them all of the time in highschool), but I wasn’t sure if it was some sort of a club or a class or something else at Cal Poly. I’ll definitely have to look into it, because that is something I would be interested in doing! I’ve also heard about Cal Poly having a Debate Team, which is another thing I’ll have to find out more about!</p>
<p>“Do I have to wait the same amount of time (or longer) to declare a double major?”
I don’t know the answer to this, but I’m in the same position as you. I wish I had done more research on Cal Poly, and so I would not be making the difficult switch from journalism to English/Business. And I wanted to minor in something (the problem with having too many interests)… Sigh.
I’m looking forward to the answer to the above question.</p>