<p>One of the schools I applied to for RD was Barnard through its double degree program with JTS. When I heard of it, I was immediately attracted to the opportunity it offered. However, I’m also very interested in doing pre-med, and also majoring in Neuroscience. I made a faux-schedule for the four years to see if it would be possible to do JTS along with pre-med. This is what I wound up with…</p>
<p>First Year
-1-
Hebrew
Bio
History
List 101
English
Bio lab
-2-
Neurobiology lecture
Bio
History
English
Gym
Bio lab
List major
Summer:
Hebrew
Second Year
-1-
Behavioral Neuroscience
Bible
History
Psychology of Learning with Laboratory
Statistics
Elective J
List major
-2-
Evolution
J Lit
Philosophy
Animal Behavior
Gym
Elective J
List major
Summer:
Hebrew
Third Year
-1-
General Chemistry with lab
J Lit
Philosophy
Research and Seminar in Biopsychology
Reason and Value
Elective J
List major
-2-
J Lit
Talmud
Bible
Genetics
Cultures in Comparison
Elective J
List major
Summer:
Hebrew
Fourth Year
-1-
Talmud
Bible
Organic Chemistry I lecture
The Visual and Performing Arts
Elective - J
Elective J
List major
-2-
Talmud
Hebrew
Organic Chemistry I lab
Social Analysis
Elective J
Elective - J
List major</p>
<p>It seems truly impossible, because I’m going to have to wind up taking 2 extra classes a semester (the norm is 5, right?) and I’m going to have to take some courses over the summer (I can only read Hebrew, so I’m sure that I’ll need the 4 prereqs to achieve the level of proficiency that is required). And even with all this, I still need to take 4 more courses of Physics, with Calculus prereqs, and a few more Gen Chem/Organic Chems. I know that I haven’t even been accepted yet, but I’m just interested in knowing if this is even realistically possible. I don’t want to make a mistake by choosing to go there, and then realizing I can’t complete it in 4 yrs.</p>
<p>Well you are nothing if not ambitious! Before you get your heart set on this scenario, you should probably speak to someone in either admissions or academic advising (or both) at both Barnard and JTS to see if this is feasible. For your sake, I hope so!</p>
<p>It seems pretty, well ambitious is one word and that is putting it mildly. Also, consider that as a neuroscience major your last year will be pretty well focused on completing your research for your senior thesis and writing that. You need to talk to someone at both institutions to see if this is realistic, as the above poster said.</p>
<p>I hope you can find a program that suits your very loft goals...and I do hope it's Barnard!</p>
<p>I have called, and asked them questions about this, but their responses so far have been pretty vague. They say that people are able to do pre-med as well as JTS, and they only have to take one extra class a semester than they would normally.. I decided to make this schedule after talking to them, just to see how it would all work out, but it really doesn't seem to be feasible. There was one girl who I spoke to, who was majoring in psychology and doing pre-med, who said she had to stay for 4.5 years. But, she said that she didn't take any summer courses, and she started in beginning Hebrew, so I still don't understand how she did it.</p>
<p>Do you think that I should just come to the conclusion that JTS and Barnard is not for me?</p>
<p>My D is a Barnard/JTS double degree student. While she is not premed, she has friends who are. Many students complete all of their requirements in the four years, although some certainly do need additional time to complete the already very packed curriculum of the double degree program. Note that JTS offers both traditional summer courses and and summer mini-intensive courses to assist students in completing requirements. Also, if you come to school with AP credits in certain areas (Biology, Math, etc), you can decrease some of your Barnard requirements which will provide you with a bit more "wiggle room". It is very common for double degree students to carry 5-6 or even more courses each semester once they have become adjusted to school. The typical first year double degree student takes 5 courses during the first semester when other Barnard students are advised to take 4. Most students increase their courseloads as tolerated following the first semester.</p>
<p>I am not going to tell you that everyone who chooses the premed route is successful at completing both degrees in the 4 years. Many students do require the extra time. On the other hand, I think you would be a particularly strong candidate for medical school if you applied with 2 undergraduate degrees; you would demonstrate an extraordinary degree of well-roundedness that is very appealing as compared with the typical science strengths. </p>
<p>You might be able to complete all of the requirements in four full years (including summers so you could fit in calculus and physics). But if you take organic senior year, you probably won't be able to take MCATs until end of that year. This means applying to medical school the summer after college graduation (lots of people do this), but it means you won't really be "done" in four years.</p>
<p>Ptmom, I already have summers and AP credits worked into the schedule.. Though, it's totally possible that I'm making the schedule the wrong way. Do you know if anyone of your daughter's friends would be able to talk to me? I'd really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Butterflies!, my brother is in the Joint Program, and I know several girls who were in the double degree program for a year, and, after deciding that it wasn’t for them, switched to just Barnard. Its easy, because you aren’t considered a transfer student; you just quit List College. It is harder to transfer from just Barnard to Double Degree, because you have to apply to the program as a transfer student. So, I would suggest starting as a Double Degree, and then switching later if you don’t like it.
I’m applying to the double degree program, and want to double major (or possibly major and minor) at Barnard. I would also like to do some study abroad. I am not worried about finishing in four years. I might, but, if I don’t, what’s the big deal? I want to be able to study everything that I want, and, if that means spending a bit more time in college, so be it.</p>
<p>Butterflies!, my brother is in the Joint Program, and I know several girls who were in the double degree program for a year, and, after deciding that it wasn’t for them, switched to just Barnard. Its easy, because you aren’t considered a transfer student; you just quit List College. It is harder to transfer from just Barnard to Double Degree, because you have to apply to the program as a transfer student. So, I would suggest starting as a Double Degree, and then switching later if you don’t like it.
I’m applying to the double degree program, and want to double major (or possibly major and minor) at Barnard. I would also like to do some study abroad. I am not worried about finishing in four years. I might, but, if I don’t, what’s the big deal? I want to be able to study everything that I want, and, if that means spending a bit more time in college, so be it.</p>
<p>My friend is in the joint program, as well as being premed. Even while taking a heavy courseload, she is graduating Barnard after 4 years and is taking an extra year to complete her JTS degree. It’s definitely possible, but you need to be ready for a) a lot of work, and b) a possible extra year.</p>
<p>In terms of the Barnard/JTS Double Degree, I am really interested but have financial constraints. Unfortunately my EFC is very high, and i don’t want to take out $120,000 in loans, so my only alternatives to this school are state schools. Can anyone suggest any need-blind scholarships, grants, anonymous checks, what have you, in order to help lessen the burden and make this school an actual possibility. Is the expensive price worth it or should I double major for practically free in state. I also am interested in pre-med, and it seems like a possibility assuming good organization and preparation on my part. any comments would be appreciated!!!</p>
<p>If you are looking at possibly attending med school, I would NOT take out loans for undergrad. Med school is pretty expensive!</p>
<p>You could do a search using *****************, and I am sure that there are scholarships that you can apply for, but you won’t know the results of those until after you have to commit to a particular college for undergrad, unfortunately. </p>
<p>State schools are not a bad place to be! And it sounds like you have done research into your state school and that you can major in what you want to do there… I would say go that route before taking out a lot of loans for undergrad…</p>
<p>Edit: good grief, sorry I forgot I cannot mention any certain websites. Just do a google search for “scholarship searches” and you will find several different sites where you can go and see what is out there. But again, the process for applying and then finding out if you are chosen takes months.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion. I have already applied to several over the passed year but to no avail. Unfortunately most are need-based, and I am not technically qualified. The financial situation is a huge concern and I have already been given a $112,000 scholarship to UMiami, but feel that Barnard would be a better fit for me. I feel kind of torn on what to do. There is a lot of rationality behind saving the loans for med school, and I don’t want my selfishness to cause my parents to go into debt.</p>