Going beyond a Major/minor?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>What's it like to do multiple majors/minors? </p>

<p>For double majoring I've heard stories of course work overload and practically becoming a recluse because of it. I do plan on being social or do something like study abroad during my college days (which are a bit ahead of me; I'm a rising junior) but I haven't heard these tales personally, just stories I've seen around the internet. </p>

<p>I just want to know what it's REALLY like being a multiple major/minor. I understand that it will vary with the how similar the subjects are and also on what you want as a career; however, I just love learning. For me, I just can't just chose ONE thing to focus on. Here's a list of the majors and minors I've considered doing:</p>

<p>Biology- Major (not sure which area yet, probably cellular)
English- Major/minor
Biochemistry- minor
Classical studies- minor
Theatre- minor
Fine arts- minor</p>

<p>I know it seems biology/biochemistry stick out like a sore thumb, but when people say "well that one doesn't belong, so toss it" I just disagree. I've spent a long time thinking and rethinking my options, and each subject is listed for a reason. And besides, if I end up not pursuing a double major, then biology is my choice.</p>

<p>But I do have somewhat of a big drawback. My school offers hardly any AP and DE classes. As far as I know, only 3 AP classes and one DE class that they advertise. (I say advertise because 2 of the AP classes are online through Virtual Virginia, and as far as I know, there are little/if any fees for the school for the classes, so I'm puzzled about why they are only offering 2 up front) and I know that getting college credit through AP and DE courses really takes some pressure off the the course work for multiple majors and minors, right?</p>

<p>Bottom line is, I want to do as much as I can in college. I just need some realistic advice.</p>

<p>Keep in mind, I will probably change my mind about which areas to study. So I'm not dead set on those listed above. A general feel for someone doing more than a major and minor or what the realistic limit is for someone (for example triple majoring, major with three minors) is what I'm looking for :)</p>

<p>So, is anyone currently a double major in anything? Or pursuing multiple minors? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated! Thanks, guys!!</p>

<p>And one more thing, I've also heard of discrepancies of whether or not claiming a double major will get you TWO diplomas upon graduation. Can anyone clarify? Thanks, again! :)</p>

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<p>A double degree (BA/BS or BA/BM) might get you two diplomas but you will also need to complete considerably more coursework (150 credits instead of 120 or 5 years instead of 4). Or they might save paper and just print both on one sheet!</p>

<p>A double major would be done within the normal 120 credit 4 year window and would get only one diploma, although both majors (and any official minors) would appear on the transcript. Essentially, you would use all of your “elective” credits to fulfill the second major. (This could become complicated if the two majors were at separate schools at your university, however.)</p>

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<p>It also depends on your school and how they process double diploma/major requests. Double degree will require more credits completed (150-180 vs 120) and double major will only require the core requirements for a major, but will not need additional credits relevant to the second major. In other words, you’d stay at only 120 credits needed to graduate.</p>

<p>My school (WashU in St. Louis) places no restrictions on what majors you choose (I’m a double major in CS and Economics) which are pretty different from one another. I use the majority of my electives fulfilling the Economics major requirements, and when I graduate, it’ll simply list (word for word) that I got a “B.S. in Computer Science with a Second Major in Economics.” You’ll need to determine how flexible your school is, because WashU is very relaxed about going to different schools for different majors, but others may not be.</p>

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<p>You could just do one major and then take whatever interesting courses there are to fill in your elective space and not worry about fulfilling another major or minor (though if it happens, that’s fine). Or is there a credential reason for wanting a second major or minor?</p>

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<p>Actually, the one that sticks out like a sore thumb is the art major. Culturally, people think Art is an easy subject academically. But the truth of the matter is that its one the majors with the heaviest work load. It shouldnt be combined with a science subject (also a subject with a heavy workload) unless you have phenomenal energy/passion.</p>

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<p>I am getting a BA and a BS (and a minor). Unless you came in with a TON of credits, don’t bother. There’s very few advantages to a double degree rather than a double major.</p>

<p>Btw you don’t need to take AP classes to take the test. I only took like 4 AP classes but 10 tests. I started college as either a 2nd semester sophomore or a junior. Can’t remember.</p>

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<p>@ucbalumnus - The reason I want a double major (or possibly multiple minors) is simply because I don’t want to focus too much on one subject or area. Luckily, I do have interests like the biology and biochem that could have credential benefits, but like I said, I want to stretch myself. I know this can have drawbacks because 1) more money and energy and 2) it may reflect badly on a graduate school application if I’m just all over the place, but it’s still what I want to do.</p>

<p>@Timkerdes - Ohh, yeah, I am well aware of the difficulty of an art major and maybe even minor (like what I want) </p>

<p>@romanigypsyeyes - My school is… behind? I’m not sure how to word it exactly, but the teachers normally only try to teach the “standards” meaning just enough to get the majority of students to pass the SOL’s (virginia’s standardized EOC test) so rarely ever are we taught enough to pass an AP test in any subject. I really do wish we had more ways of earning college credit, but that’s sadly not a possibility where I live.</p>

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<p>Atemporal- at washu that’s only the case if you’re dual degreeing across academic schools (ie artsci and engineering), which is just silly. I’m getting two separate bs degrees in engineering (yes, degrees, not a separate major) for undergrad and I still only need 120 units. It was actually easier in my case- doing a “second major in…” would have had more requirements.</p>

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<p>Va- if you are motivated enough you can teach yourself. As I said, 4 classes, 10 tests. The other tests that I took were not subjects taught to me by my school. If you want to do a dual degree, you’ll need to come in with credits. A double major in two different colleges will often also need some supplemental credits.</p>

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<p>The reason I want a double major (or possibly multiple minors) is simply because I don’t want to focus too much on one subject or area.</p>

<p>There is little real world advantage to having a major or minor in every single thing that interests you. At it’s simplest, college is about exploring various classes, then later in soph year, deciding which one or two you can commit to, then developing expertise in that. The college will expect you to focus. You can still take other classes, to your heart’s desire, assuming you can scheule them, considering the requirements in your major(s) and any research or other experience they expect.</p>

<p>If your hs is as limted as you say, of course college feels like you’re going to be the proverbial kid in a candy store. As a rising hs junior, your task should be to find colleges that offer majors in all your potential interests, colleges you can get into and afford.</p>

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<p>

I hope you have more than two, or three, or even six interests in life. All of us do. That is not, to me, sufficient reason to pursue a specific program of studies in all of these areas.</p>

<p>Think about it. Does a major prevent you from exploring, learning about, and involving yourself in all of your many interests? Lots of things you probably enjoy aren’t even academic subjects available as majors or minors. You should try to develop some idea of where you want to go after graduation and then find academic programs that will help you reach that goal.</p>

<p>A double-major might be part of that plan, but don’t think that you are permanently renouncing an interest by choosing to specialize in something else.

I’m not trying to throw this thread off-track…but what exactly does “two separate bs degrees” mean in this post?</p>

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<p>@noimagination - Of course I have more than those interests. Please note that those were OPTIONS to study. Those are the ones I’m currently interested in most, and odds are, in six months they will change. The reason I made this post was because I just wanted advice on what it’s like to be a double major or multiple minor student. The added info on what I’m considering was just to give an idea of the areas I would be combining. I didn’t say I wanted all of them. I do have outside interests. Posting on this site isn’t permanently declaring or cementing my areas of interest. I also mentioned that just doing one major is an option. Sorry if I’m being short but this happens often and gives me the impression that I have to justify why I want what I want. I do realize that I don’t HAVE to major/minor in every interest. It’s just something that’s interested me.</p>

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<p>Most kids are just where you are: considering. If you have to justify often, maybe it is a bit confusing, as you stated it. With a few exceptions, you have almost 3 years to decide.</p>

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<p>

Pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Two degrees, rather than 1 degree that encompasses two majors.<br>
It’s rather pointless, and doesn’t necessarily benefit me - as I said, it was easier on requirements than the second major (I still really haven’t figured out why) - but I figured “hey, why not” since it was only 1 additional class.</p>

<p>But yes, in short, there are plenty of programs that allow for double degrees in 120 credits.</p>

<p>[Honestly, I think it’s so rare for someone to double up like I’m doing that they actually don’t realize how easy it is to do… not that I think they’d really care otherwise even if they did.]</p>

<p>Edit: double degreeing was also easier than getting a minor in the same subject… also really confused on that.</p>

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<p>Johnson, I’m not aware of any school that allows a double DEGREE for 120 credits. They almost all require 150.</p>

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<p>^ Well… now you are aware, I guess?</p>

<p>I’m 100% positive that I’m getting a double degree. For 120 credits. (I’m also getting my MS. When I finally leave school in May, I’ll have 157 credits total).</p>

<p>As I’ve already mentioned, both of my degrees are from the Engineering School at WUSTL. But cross-school double degrees at wustl are indeed ~150 credits or so.</p>

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<p>You could simply major in something that encompasses multiple interests. Environmental design, medical illustration, Art history, stage/set design, screen writing, technical science writing etc all contain combinations of your current interests.</p>

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<p>I’m a double major with Theatre and French. And honestly, most of the French majors I know are people who started out as minors and just decided to double.</p>

<p>At my school, in the French department, you have to complete the following for minor:
309, 310, four elective French courses
and the following for majors:
309, 310, 311, six elective French courses</p>

<p>Essentially, if you start at the 300-level (like I did and a few of my other friends), you only have to do about one French course a semester to major in it. The gen eds are the same as all of the other College’s, so it’s really not difficult to double major at all. A cognate (12 hours), minor (18 hours), or second major are required, so to minor is two classes more and to major is only four classes more than the minimum.</p>

<p>If you aren’t sure which things you want to focus on, then it might be best to start out first semester with courses that meet your general education requirements and give you a glimpse into the thing that you want to minor in. You could also take on more by choosing to major and double minor if you wanted to study three things instead of one.</p>