Major and Minor Selections

Parents Forum
1

<p>I'm a new freshman at GW trying to make some decisions about my academic future. I'm coming to the Parents Forum because I know that I would appreciate input from the parents. I know that I want to major in Political Science (Public Policy Focus), but I know that I also want to pair this with another major and a minor. I've come to learn that I absolutely love both Economics and Philosophy, so I would want to major in either with the other being a minor. I am also in the Honors Program.</p>

<p>I know that I ultimately want to end up at a top five law school, and I would like some prestigious internships under my belt as well, but I would also like to have options for employment if I do not ultimately end up at law school. I know that my GPA and LSATs will be the ultimate factors for law school, but I would also like some solid preparation.</p>

<p>If anyone had any suggestions, they would be appreciated. Thank you.</p>

2

<p>You can take sufficient courses in an area of interest to acquire some expertise without officially declaring it as a minor. Many schools don’t even have minors.</p>

<p>If you are concerned about your credentials for jobs, I suppose an Economics minor coupled with a Public Policy major–or the reverse–trumps Philosophy. But there is nothing stopping you from taking a number of philosophy courses, in addition. I would look at the school website for the requirements of each department for majors and minors, too.</p>

3

<p>Do what you love…and you will love what you do. And you will probably do well too. Any of these majors and minors will be fine for a law school applicant who does well, and does very well on the LSAT. </p>

4

<p>Don’t forget to discuss this with your academic advisor.</p>