<p>Hello,
Thank you for all the information you have given so far. I am strongly considering this major. I would like to know whether or not you think it is a good match for me.
My best subjects in school are English and Chinese. I am an extremely strong writer. However, I have never been particularly interested in history or politics and I dislike math. I am a very creative and free-thinking person, but I don’t want to pursue a career in the liberal arts because I’m afraid that I won’t be able to find a job or use my degree in any way. I have always been interested in other parts of the world as well as languages. I took two languages my freshman and sophomore years. I have been interested mainly in East Asia ever since I went to visit a family member in Japan when I was in middle school. I was fascinated by their culture and language. In my NYU supplement essay, I wrote about my love for languages.
I am strongly considering majoring in IR with a minor in business, and if I enjoy this, I would potentially get an MBA. I would love to have a career that allows me to use my knowledge of Chinese (which I am far from fluent in, but would one day like to be). I would also love to have opportunities to travel, but not excessively. I have also always had a strong interest in business and believe that it is something I would be very good at (although I’m not good enough for Stern).
Anyway, do you think that this major would be a good fit for me? Anything else you can tell me about what to expect? Also, did you have a backup plan in case you were rejected from IR? I’m a pretty good student but I’m still worried. Thanks so much.</p>
<p>@ilovegoldfish - Have you considered applying to NYU Shanghai?</p>
<p>@Marinozai, I did consider that, but I decided that it would be too much for me to be full-time in a different country during my college years. Plus, I’m pretty obsessed with NYC. Shanghai seems really cool though, and I have always wanted to go to China, so I will likely study abroad there!</p>
<p>Ultimately only you can decide whether IR is right for you or not. You say you do not like history or politics – these two subjects make up the very heart of international relations. When you consider topics that IR deals with – diplomacy, human rights, international law – history and politics are central (although politics more so). My two cents – and I really don’t mean to be condescending here – is that as a high school student you don’t really know yet what the college level study of history or politics is. This is simply because the societal understanding of these disciplines is quite different from what actual academics do. For example, you might dislike talking about current events, but the study of politics can very much exclude stuff like that (you really won’t discuss current events in many politics classes).
You also dislike math. I sympathize here, but for two reasons disliking of “traditional” math should not discourage you from IR. First, although math will be used in your economics classes, it will be very basic (and you only have to take 2 econ classes). There is also math involved in your thesis. No getting around that. But, second, it is statistics rather than calculus. I’m no fan of the latter, but I find statistics completely different and I rather like it. Especially since this is applied statistics. If you really can’t stand statistics either, then I would discourage you from IR.</p>
<p>Have you considered the Business and Political Economy (BPE) program in Stern? While it would be more math, it would be less history/politics and kill two birds with one stone with respect to your business major. You also travel to London for 2 semesters and Shanghai for 1. Great opportunity to increase your language skills. I think it could be a good fit for you, but note that admissions is more selective and you apply in high school. </p>
<p>If you decide not to pursue BPE, then apply to CAS and get a taste of IR classes during your freshman year. Take Econ I, Stats for Politics Majors, and International Politics. Talk to the IR adviser, join the IR Society to talk to IR majors, etc. See if you like it. If not, you can major in something you enjoy more. My backup was a major in history with a minor in politics. As mentioned earlier, there are no classes JUST for IR majors – it is entirely interdisciplinary. If you only like SOME of what IR offers, then it’s pretty easy to just take those classes.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your thoughtful response. I will definitely take the freshman courses and see whether or not I like them. Its not to say that I dislike politics- in fact, I have never taken a course on politics. Its just that I’ve never found myself particularly interested in it. I also think that I would enjoy applied statistics. Its calculus I can’t stand.
Once again, thanks so much for your help!</p>
<p>axelfoley, is it possible to apply to CAS as well as Stern? Because I am also very interested in the BPE program.</p>
<p>For the BPE program, is there some international relations incorporated into its curriculum?</p>
<p>It’s funny because in my case, I hate statistics, but I enjoy calculus. However, I absolutely love politics and history. Also, I was wondering how much more competitive Stern, especially for BPE, is compared to CAS.</p>
<p>I just found this thread and was curious If IR can be a Second Major.
Secondly, I read that Algebra and Calculus is a prerequisite for Econ 1 and Econ 2. How will this be possible if we have to take courses freshman year?</p>
@axelfoley
I am a prospective CAS student, and I am wondering if it is possible I double-major in Economics and International Relations. Thanks!