I’m currently a freshman at Yale, and I’m mostly interested in the psychology major but am considering double majoring in film studies and psych. I am not considering medical school, just a psych phd program, so I would not have to worry about any of the pre-med requirements. So my question is, how difficult is the film studies major? Since psych and film don’t overlap at all, would that be a bit over the top to double major in?
My daughter graduated with a film studies degree from Harvard, but jobs in that particular field are scarce.
A student with a degree in film studies cannot claim to be a director, writer or a producer of film, but are instead an academic expert of film aesthetics – which leads most students with the degree down the path of a “film reviewer” or professor of film studies. Given those parameters, my daughter decided NOT to go into the field, and did a post doc and then went to medical school.
My suggestion: Don’t do it. Film studies is a dead-end, so major in psychology (do not double major)!
Full Disclaimer: My son graduated from Yale in 2015 with a psychology degree. He is now working for Spotify and has combined his interest in computer science with psychology and is a data analyst and product owner for Spotify’s recently launched “Nostalgic Playlist.” FWIW: He is making more money than a 24-old should be allowed to make ($150K+) – which is far superior to what a film studies major, psychologist major, or a double major in those fields would make. In addition, many more opportunities await a student with a psychology degree than a film studies degree. So, focus on psychology and pursue your interest in film as an avocation.