<p>Hey, all. I'm currently struggling with a decision that I think other students out there face. If I take another three classes (along with the one I'm currently enrolled in) I'll pick up a minor in math. </p>
<p>Thing is, I'm not really that enamored with the subject. Sure, I can DO math but I really don't like it (whereas I can't get enough of my major subject). My math is also completely unrelated to my major (a humanity) so it would be of little help academically. Should I stick it out with math and get the minor (given its marketability) or just take classes that interest me but receive no minor?</p>
<p>At 3 classes away, for a minor, when you're a humanities major who doesn't like math... I would say no. To put things in perspective, I'm a double-major in CS and Physics, and only need 5 more classes to get a minor in math... but I decided it wouldn't be worth it. I mean, in the end, it's up to you, but...</p>
<p>If your humanity major is not so marketable, maybe the 3 math classes would be worth it if it does not postpone your graduation date. Do you aspire to grad or prof school? Do you know what field you plan to work in?</p>
<p>Dont screw up your GPA to get a minor in math. Your GPA is the most important thing to recruiters. If you enjoyed math obviously that would make you a stronger candidate. But since you do not i think the risks (slipping gpa) outweigh the return.</p>
<p>Just for clarification, my major in Japanese with a possible minor in Asian Studies (not sure yet). I'm actually more interested in Computer Science than math and have taken classes and had experience before in CS. Thing is it would be next to impossible for me to minor in CS at this point (still need 6 classes, so schedule would have to work out perfectly) and math would be very doable...but just I hate my Abstract Algebra class :D</p>
<p>Any other opinions? I appreciate everyone's advice so far.</p>
<p>Hmm my school has a technical japanese major. it's like tech communication, but all in Japanese. sounds like a good major for you? only if your school has it. i was also thinking of minoring in math. i'm also a few classes away. but i figured that i can't remember anything i learn in math, and i can't solve problems. so essentially, the minor would be useless, and minoring in it would be like not having done it at all! if you are able to learn math, apply and use it, then sure, why not. but if it goes in one ear and out the other like me, don't waste your time.</p>
<p>Sorry to hijack your thread, but I was wondering if any of you guys had experience with a similar situation.</p>
<p>I have been fortunate enough to attend school somewhat on scholarship, so the monetary strain of staying an extra quarter or two is not huge. If I stick around said extra quarter or two, I can complete a minor in Computer Science (I'm a chem major). I really enjoy programming, and I've aced all of my CS classes so far, so my suspicion is that the minor would boost, rather than hurt my GPA. The only disadvantage would be the extra time, and possibly the usefulness of the minor.</p>
<p>My questions are twofold:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If anyone here is a graduate student, do graduate schools usually accept students beginning their studies in a winter or spring quarter, rather than the traditional fall? This would be a big concern for me, as the minor would cause me to graduate in the following fall rather than spring, and if I chose to go to grad school, I wouldn't want that to offset me a whole year.</p></li>
<li><p>For those of you with minors, are they actually that useful? I'm interested in programming, so I'd probably do the minor if they weren't, but I am wondering just how much of a career benefit it would be. I'll probably look for employment in the biotechnology or computational chemistry/bioinformatics fields, so I figure a CS minor might actually give me a bit of a leg up, but I was wondering if anyone had any real-world or anecdotal information on that sort of thing.</p></li>
</ol>