<p>I've heard of people doing dual degrees, but would it be possible for me to earn three? I'd be willing to go to school for summer term...</p>
<p>cant think of anyway that three degrees could be useful but a lot of schools only will give you only two. But if your school has triple majors you could do three if you come in with a lot of AP or other college credit</p>
<p>It depends on the school.</p>
<p>Not all schools will allow you to have three degrees in four years. In fact, I can’t remember reading about one who did.</p>
<p>I think you would need to attend a school that has an open curriculum (like Brown or Wesleyan) or a school where you might already receive credit for their core if you took a few AP classes.</p>
<p>You would also need to look into specifics for your three majors. A biology major has more requirements than say, a major in philosophy. It depends on the courses of each major.</p>
<p>And you would definitely need to find out if you can “double dip” or use the same class to fulfill a requirement for two majors, if the areas overlap at all. If your areas don’t overlap at all, then, in my opinion, it would be difficult.</p>
<p>Like I said about coursework, some majors require more classes than others. At most schools I’ve researched, an English major is generally between twelve and fourteen classes, whereas science majors tend to be closer to sixteen or seventeen classes.</p>
<p>And it depends on the average course load for your school. Places like Columbia have students taking between five and seven classes per semester, where schools like Brown have an average of four.</p>
<p>So, I’d say it is possible. Especially if you’re willing to take summer classes. It depends on the school you have in mind and if they’re willing to give you three majors, your intended majors, and if you even have time to complete the classes for three majors, which could be anywhere from a minimum of thirty classes to forty-five or fifty classes. If you found a school that would allow you to have three degree then you probably will only be able to take classes in the area of your majors, as opposed to taking a class because it sounds interesting. </p>
<p>You would, most definitely, have to know which majors you’d want as you pick out your schedule for freshmen year or else there probably will not sufficient time to complete requirements, regardless of summer semesters.</p>
<p>My senior ('12) D will be getting 3 degrees in 4 years at Boston College-- in Accounting, Information Systems, and Philosophy.</p>
<p>youknowme123: I’m going to go in with my freshman year almost done, looks like(: I’m not sure if three degrees would be useful, but it’s just that I love to learn and I’m really interested in all of these things and a degree is just a way of showing what’s been learned to me.
franzferdinand: I’d be okay with only taking classes in the degree because these are the things I’m interested in anyway(:
and
jshain: Wow, that’s awesome! How does philosophy fit in there? lol. What’s he planning on doing?</p>
<p>amandaaaaa</p>
<p>How about graduating in 3 years as an undergrad instead, save your parents some money, and then go to grad school, professional school? I don’t know of any employer who cares if you have a triple degree, or double degree for that matter. As long as you have a good GPA and have actual skills.</p>
<p>I’d recommend NO more than a double major major, do internships which might actually lead to employment, join some college organizations, study abroad. I doubt you would be able to accomplish a triple degree doing the previous mentioned college activities. you do have to sleep!</p>
<p>Some universities will limit the amout of credits you take as a freshman, sophpomore etc. Thus, limiting your liklihood of successfully completing a triple major in 4 years.</p>
<p>What do you want to do in life? Let that drive you! Don’t forget to have fun! These are some of your best years.</p>
<p>CJ</p>
<p>Three degrees is 4 years is not possible (you only get a single diploma, e.g. one BA, BS, BEd, whatever, to have 3 degrees would mean 3 B(something)). A triple major of some sort is (especially in liberal arts places with open curriculum), but the more subjects you put, the more you’ll end up being a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none (because you have to take at least the core courses in all fields). Double/joint programs are more common, because they can be set up without sacrificing more advanced material. For example, in the sciences, joint math-(anything) are common (everyone as to do basic math, more advanced math complements any other science well).</p>
<p>The other warning I should give is that to complete even a joint major, you need to be really interested in both fields. The core courses are necessary but not always fun, and once you survive those (OK, survive is a strong word, but I come from a math perspective, where it’s the most appropriate) you may realize whether the advanced material is more interesting or really more tedious to you. I’ve known really smart people who where in joint honours in their last year switch to single honours with minor because one subject was not as exciting as it used to appear, and taking more courses in that field was not worth the effort anymore.</p>
<p>amandaaaaa: My D will be working for a Big 4 accounting firm as an auditor, beginning next Fall, after she studies for her CPA exam next summer. She has always enjoyed Philosophy but didn’t have any specific plan using this degree upon graduation, but I do NOT disagree with CJ Madison that 3 degrees is unnecessary and yes she DID have to forego her summer study abroad program. She did manage to squeeze in a 3 week study program to Bulgaria during Spring break her Junior year, however, and summer intern for the Big 4 firm in lieu of a summer abroad.</p>
<p>Blobof: 3 degrees in 4 years IS possible. My D will earn BS and BA degrees when she graduates this Spring.</p>
<p>CJ Madison:
That’s great advice. I actually want to go to medical school…lol. Always dreaming. The only reason I’d want three degrees is because I think a degree in something like biochemistry would be helpful for medical school, but I also really love languages, so I want degrees in English and Spanish…
Blobof:
I haven’t really thought about that and I guess that is something I really need to consider.
jshain: sounds like a crazy few years of her life. Congrats to her though. :)</p>
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<p>I don’t know what university your D is going to, but 2 in 4 I have seen (concurrent BSc, Bed), though it was usually 2 in 5 (including a genius friend of mine of did a computer engineering BEng and a joint CS-math BSc, taking sometimes 9 courses a semester, which the system won’t let anyone do anymore). That doesn’t make 3 automatically possible, as most places won’t allow to double-count or credit that many courses, and most sane people can’t take 8 or 9 courses per semester.</p>
<p>My advice would be to gear your plan of study toward Med. School, which means focusing on Biochemistry. Think carefully about completing necessary coursework for degrees in Languages (good advice ahs been given), since foreign languages are easier to self-study.</p>
<p>Triple major is very possible at open curriculum schools, though it’s not a good idea for obvious reasons. You’ll miss out on both the wide range of knowledge from taking tons of different classes in different fields AND the highly indepth knowledge you would get from putting more time into one or two fields.</p>
<p>What about taking a major that will get you into med school, and then creating a second major and tailoring it to your interests? Many schools allow you to design your own major that will better meet your long-term goals. If you enjoy English and Spanish, maybe create a comparative languages major or something like that. </p>
<p>Sounds like you would have 2 degrees - 1 BS for the pre-med/bio major and 1 BA for the languages. The only way you could have a 3rd “degree” is if you also majored in fine arts (BFA) or something along those lines. Having 3 majors is different from 3 degrees. If you major in English, Spanish, and History, for example, you’d graduate with 1 BA degree in 3 different fields, but still just one degree.</p>
<p>I enjoyed reading this thread very much. Nothing like spending alot of other people’s money in getting your education. If you really think you are that smart and I am not trying to be sarcastic, maybe you need to go to pre med or pre law?</p>