<p>How is Northwestern's international studies program? I'm pretty sure that I want to major in economics, which I know NU is great at. But I'd like to complement that major with an international studies minor or even a Spanish minor. Is this common, or would I be better off at another school like Georgetown (good IR and decent econ program)?
Thanks</p>
<p>Well, the more common option is actually double-major in econ and internationals studies. International studies is an adjunct major; you can't gradaute with that alone and you'd have to have a primary major on top of it. Because of the quarter system, adding spanish minor on top of econ+IS should still be fairly doable.</p>
<p>Sam Lee, I know this is a stretch but would it be possible to triple major (Econ, International Studies, Philosophy) using the NU quarter system? I'm assuming some summer classes would be involved, but in your opinion could it be done?</p>
<p>I was not in WCAS but it seems to me it's doable. If you take 4 courses per quarter, you will end up having 48 credits. Now look at the requirements:
econ: 6 core + 5 advanced econ + 5 in related field = 16
international studies: 5 core + 3 for thematic cluster + 3 regional electives + 1 project = 12
philosophy: 12 </p>
<p>Department</a> of Philosophy: Undergraduate
Undergraduate:</a> Major, Economics Dept., NU
TC</a> (New) Requirements, Undergraudate, International Studies, WCAS, Northwestern University</p>
<p>16+12+12 = 40. You can use courses for international studies to fulfill (double-count) 3 of the 5 in "related field" for econ. So subtract 3 from the 40. Now you have 48-37 = 11 left for language requirement + distro (2 in each of the 6 areas) + 2 freshmen seminar. If you score 4/5 on AP language, the language requirement is done. You can also use AP to get 2 of the distro out of the way. That leaves you 10 distro + 2 freshmen seminar; that's one more than 11. But here's the last trick you can use: some courses can count toward more than one distribution area. Now things are even if you pick just one of those.</p>
<p>So if you score 4/5 on AP language and you have couple AP in history, science..etc, you should be able to triple-major even without summer classes.</p>
<p>rm1234,
one of the rhodes scholars this year is a triple-major in exactly the same fields you were thinking: Four</a> Awarded Rhodes, Other Top Scholarships</p>
<p>Okay thanks for the breakdown Sam Lee, I really appreciate it. :)</p>
<p>While I don't have the 4/5 on AP Language, I could make it up in summer quarter? I should meet the history, english and science AP requirements upon graduation... </p>
<p>Is there any way to find out which classes would count toward more than one distribution area, or would I just need to ask once (if at this point) admitted/enrolled?</p>
<p>Oh and thanks for the links!</p>
<p>Or would the courses that overlap on the links you posted be the ones that count towards multiple distribution areas?</p>
<p>Foreign language proficiency requirement:
Foreign</a> Language Proficiency, Degree Requirements, Undergraduate Students, WCAS, Northwestern University</p>
<p>If you don't have AP but have studied a foreign language in HS, you can take placement exam so you won't need to start from the very beginning. If you have few years of classes in HS, you may be just one or two courses short of fulfilling the requirement. Placement</a> Exams, Freshmen, Undergraduate Students, WCAS, Northwestern University</p>
<p>thanks for those replies, Sam Lee. I didn't realize that a double major in the international stuides and economics was common, so thanks for pointing that out. How good would you say northwestern is with international studies and languages (compared with Gtown and Cornell)? Thanks again.</p>
<p>i have no idea. GTown has SFS so I guess they have the edge in IS. Languagewise, I don't really know. In general, Cornell/Northwestern are better than GTown in most academic research.</p>
<p>Just a warning about Mallory though- she's taken 5 or more classes every quarter since the fall of her freshman year (when she wasn't allowed to).</p>
<p>Emulating her is not possible for us mere mortals!</p>
<p>Wait, you're allowed to take more than four classes even if you're not an engineer or music major? <em>mind boggles</em></p>
<p>You need permission, but yes.</p>