Hello, My S was accepted to W&L and he wants to major in Physics and Music. The school is strong for Law and Economics major. How about Physics and Music major? Is it easy to do double major?
Thank you!
He could do a Physics major and a Music minor without too much difficulty, but I suspect that a double major in those disciplines would be possible only with careful planning and if he places out of W&L’s language requirement.
W&L tends to use AP scores to place students into higher level classes instead of granting college credit, and they do not grant credit for work completed at community college. My D was able to get W&L to recognize credit for summer work (not Physics or Music) done at our flagship university and abroad through a top 20 university, so it’s possible your son could do a class or two over the summers.
There are numerous research opportunities (on and off-campus) that might be of interest for him in the summer, though, and generous funding available through the Johnson Opportunity Grants (not restricted to Johnson Scholars). – one of D’s classmates is a physics major and used this grant to fund his attendance at conferences in Paris and Madrid. Another student who graduated last year as a physics major is now at Cambridge on a Gates Cambridge Scholarship for a Ph.D. (He had a minor in poverty/human capability studies and also played on the tennis team).
Is your son interested in vocal or instrumental music?
Thanks yaupon, This is really helpful information that I couldn’t find in other place. My S plays the flute and he wants to major in music composition. I looked at Physics schedule and there are few math classes that he can skip. Right now he is taking Multivariable Calculus at school. He could also take Japanese placement test to place out of language requirement.
One thing I am worried about is the Greek life. If a student don’t participate then he/she would be isolated. We are Asian and there are only 3% Asian students. Do you know by any change that how happy are other minority students?
Do most of M&L’s fraternities do crazy stuff or do they just act as normal clubs?
Thank you!
I have a close friend who is majoring in Physics and Business, which have virtually no overlap. He was able to study abroad and is finishing just fine, but he had no freedom in his schedule (by that I mean he took only classes that went towards his major and distribution requirements).
The only place I’ve heard people say that race relations at W&L are bad have been on this forum from people who don’t go here. As far as I know, none of my minority friends have ever had a race related issue here.
Fraternities are pretty much eating clubs that throw parties.
Thanks coppijr, This is really useful and now it is getting more difficult on school decisions. W&L has the best ranking from US New and Forbes. Grinnell has the best Science & Engineering ranking to receive PhD. Colgate gave the most attractive financial aid.
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf13323/nsf13323.pdf
Most of the Greek parties are open to all (sometimes for the duration of the party, sometimes after a certain time of the evening), so your son can certainly attend them if interested even if he does not join a fraternity. There are many fraternities, and there is definitely a place for every kind of kid, so your son may surprise you. Some groups have a bigger emphasis on service & scholarship than others. There are also lots of things to do on campus besides parties – the outing club is very active, for example, and draws both Greek & independent students.
I would forget about Grinnell if I were you GwOwEn, if you think your son would fit at all at W&L. They are the polar opposite of one another. Plus, the reason so many people go on to receive PHDs at Grinnell is that their education is mostly geared towards academia, with barely any practical skills. If you look at the percentage of students who applied that were accepted to graduate school I would bet that W&L is just as good, if not better, than Grinnell.
WILLBLPRT, I don’t know abort Physics major. Just curious, how do you know about Grinnell Physics major don’t teach practical skills? Do you know Physics major students from both schools?
GwOwEn, I’m just giving my overview of both schools. I’m not sure about the Physics major, my guess is that it’s very practical wherever you get it.
WILLBLPRT, Grinnell has one thing that my son likes a lot. Music major students can have any private lessons for free. My son wants to do Physics and Music double major so it seems Grinnell is a best choice.
Are the lessons not free at W&L? You should double check that.
W&L also has free private music lessons. Also, I meant to say NOT very practical wherever you go.
I asked and W&L does offer one free private lesson per term for music major student. Grinnell offers unlimited free lessons for music major student which is more flexible.