<p>Hi, I was wondering how exactly majors work at MHC. I've applied as an art history major but is it definitive yet or just tenative?</p>
<p>Does everyone start out as undecided and then choose their major later on?</p>
<p>And how does double majoring work? I'm planning to double major in perhaps environmental studies or sociology in addition to art history but I'm not quite sure yet :s
When do you declare a double major, and does it require massive amount of extra work to keep up the work?</p>
<p>Sorry if I sound clueless but I'm quite befuddled :p</p>
<p>Everyone starts out undecided. Declaring a major is not required until second term sophomore year, although I know that you can declare as a music major second term first year to get free instrument lessons. Don’t worry, be happy.</p>
<p>I was wondering the same thing because I also applied for Art History on the Common App with Music and International Relations as my second and third option.</p>
<p>Actually, you can only declare as a music major as early as second term of your first year ONLY if you have taken a music course before the beginning of second semester. So don’t obsess now about your major or about what you said on your common app regarding your intended major. However, if you have some major in mind, you probably should take the intro course in that major during your first semester. Also, do take a freshman seminar during your first year. Taking one after your first year is difficult since firsties get first choice. When you sign up for academic classes in June (?), also think about signing up for a phys ed course. They are all 1/2 semester long, unless you are on a team sport. If you have thoughts about studying abroad during a part of your junior year, plan on taking the language of your intended study abroad country starting first term first year. You will need 2 years of the language before you can study there. Remember, 1 year of a language is required anyway.</p>
<p>ConCerndDad, you are filled with so many insightful information haha. Thank you so much!! And I actually want to study aboard in either Italy or France so I would probably have to learn French or Italian, depending on where I decide to go. I’m pretty undecided about my major, but I do know I want to minor in Music.</p>
<p>Thanks ConCerndDad. But what about double majors? </p>
<p>Bleh, I wasn’t aware that colleges have phys ed requirements…oh well, I guess I’ll just put up with it- though I heard about the equestrian program, does that count towards PE? xD</p>
<p>And as for languages, can you start learning a completely new language? I have more than 5 years of French but I’m thinking of picking up German as well xD</p>
<p>Yes, you can start a new language at MHC. It think it’s actually encouraged. My D started a new language at MHC. She had already taken Latin, Spanish and Greek, and started German at MHC. Now in her second term of German and actually loving it. Apparently, the German department is really good at MHC. Her German classes have been no more than 14 students and her prof is really nice (I sat in on a class in December). At times they watch movies or TV in German and play various games to learn grammar. As to double majoring, well, first of all you HAVE to have a major AND a minor (unless you are in one of those interdisciplinary majors). So if you have to do a minor, it’s apparently pretty easy to bring it up to a second major, assuming that you have no schedule conflicts. Planning ahead for 2 majors is the key. Taking the right courses at the right sequence at the right time. Phys ed is easy to do. My D took squash in the fall, and had a ball There is horseback riding (costs extra), scuba (also extra cost), – all the rest are free – dog walking, pilates, yoga, swimming, machines, canoeing, life guard training, you name it, it’s all in the catalog, which is also on line in ISIS (no password necessary, just use prospective student page, which is what I do).</p>
<p>I am a current MHC student and work in the Office of Admission, and here are my answers to several of the questions mentioned above:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Double majoring is an option you can take advantage. Many MHC students actually do. I recommmend planning ahead a good bit to make sure all your requirements are met. Working with your academic advisor is usually a good idea. Especially if you are considering an interdisciplinary major ontop of another one it is important to start taking classes in that subject area from your first year. The options are to double major, major and minor, or only major if it is an interdisciplinary subject.</p></li>
<li><p>Also you do not have to come in with a decided major. Most students claim their major the spring of their sophomore year. One’s major can also be change if necessary later on. It is convenient to have some idea of what you are interested in, because then the school can place you with an academic advisor in that department. But students are encouraged to explore new areas of academic intereset due to the fact that MHC is a liberal arts environment.</p></li>
<li><p>As for the PE requirements, students must take at least 6 credits. PE classes range from Pilates to Hip Hop to Squash, almost anything you can think of. Some classes are all semester and can be 1-2 credits, whereas some classes are only half a semester and are usually only 1 credit. A year with a varsity sports team will earn you 2 PE credits. Some classes do have expenses but these will be available on the summary for the class.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>Forgot to add that a foreign language is required at MHC. Students must either take one year at the elementary level or one semester at the intermediate level. If you have taken a language in high school you can take a placement test to place into a higher level of the language of interest. It is encouraged for students to have a background in the country’s language before going abroad, but it is not required for all programs.</li>
</ol>
There is horseback riding (costs extra), scuba (also extra cost), – all the rest are free – dog walking, pilates, yoga, swimming, machines, canoeing, life guard training, you name it, it’s all in the catalog, which is also on line in ISIS (no password necessary, just use prospective student page, which is what I do).</p>