I have been considering on applying to Middlebury because of its amazing Language program. I really want to do a double major in Biology and International Relations if I attended there. Is this too much? How are is Middlebury?
At Midd, there’s a difference between majors and programs. You can double major with two majors, but you cannot double major with two programs. To my understanding you can double major with one program and one major, but this will definitely be a lot of work.
Programs are very interdisciplinary and require you to take classes from many different majors to complete the program. We don’t have International Relations specifically, but we have International Politics and Economics (on campus called IP&E, http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ipe) and International and Global Studies (IGS http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/igs). These are both programs and require students to choose specific tracks within them and are work intensive. Potentially, a double major with one of these programs and Biology could work but I will go ahead and present yet another option lol.
One of the most popular majors at Middlebury is a program called Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBBC, http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/mbb) and many STEM students who start out in biology eventually end up just switching to an MBBC major. If you were to take this route, you could not double with one of the IR programs.
However, what I have seen some students do is major in one of the IR programs, and minor in Global Health (http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/global-health) because you get some of that science background, and it relates really well to International Relations.
I know this is super confusing but hopefully this is helpful and good luck! We have a bunch of counselors and staff who can guide you through choosing a major as well.