<p>Ever since I was accepted through Early Decision, I've been thinking about what major I will choose at Wellesley. When I applied, I was set on majoring in the biological sciences and choosing the pre-med path. However, as my senior year progressed, I found myself not feeling really any true passion for biology/medical field. Instead, I found myself really enjoying my Comparative Government and Human Geo classes.. As I've done a little bit more soul searching these past few weeks, I realized that I have a passion for political science instead of biology/chemistry/anatomy&physiology (actually, I really really really dislike anat&phys, but that's irrelevant haha). </p>
<p>I used to be set on being a bio major at Wellesley, but a friend of mine gave me a great piece of advice to keep an open mind as I go into college. I can't see myself becoming a doctor or choosing a career path that deals with the natural sciences; This is only my parent's dream (Especially since my dad is a cardiologist and my mom was a nurse). But I CAN see myself studying poli sci and doing something along the lines of international relations.</p>
<p>While my parents are pressuring me (heavily now!) to become a doctor, I have chosen to finally admit that I don't share the same dream as them. I see myself growing more and more independent as I find my own passions in different areas that they wouldn't even consider.</p>
<p>So, basically, after that whole schpiel, I guess what I am looking for is input about my revelation. </p>
<p>Also, I have a few questions: How is the political science department at Wellesley? What can one do with a political science degree?</p>
<p>Alright, thank you SO much! I am sorry for posting such a long-winded thread.. But all advice/comments/input would be GREATLY appreciated!</p>
<p>I don’t know a lot about the political science department as Wellesley, so I won’t give any input on that, but I want to point out that a lot of first years at the moment are undecided on their major. In fact, after coming to Wellesley, a lot of us are now no longer what we thought we were majoring. You have until sometime in your sophomore year. I say to keep yourself open and try classes at Wellesley in your first year (and into your sophomore year) to decide what you want to do.</p>
<p>For example, I’m taking neuroscience in the Spring and I have never taken anything like that before. </p>
<p>Anyway, just my input. Someone else can talk about political science.</p>
<p>I wasn’t a political science major so I won’t speak to the department (though one of my best Wellesley friends was PoliSci-Econ double major and thought very highly of both departments), but wanted to address your question of “What can one do with a political science degree?”</p>
<p>I would encourage you, and any student looking at Wellesley or any other liberal arts college, to try and get away from the mentality of “What does someone do with X major?” The point of a liberal arts education is not to equate a major with a direct career path. It’s not about having students graduate with a specific skill set that shunts them to a specific job. It’s about learning how to learn, about making connections between subjects and ideas, it’s about becoming a flexible thinker. What does one do with a poli sci major? Anything you want. That would go for any other major at Wellesley. I was a science major and am now in a field that is not science related at all. And yet, I feel that my Wellesley education has prepared me very well - I need to be an analytical thinker, a good writer, able to make decisions after processing lots of different information, and an effective public speaker.</p>
<p>I was a student when the college celebrated it’s 125th anniversary. The school had a big celebration that included awesome carnival rides on Severence Green (above and beyond any Lake Day) and lots of chances to meet and hear from alumnae. I did a quick search on the website and found a description of these alumnae panels, with bios included: [Conference</a> on Alumnae Achievement and Women’s Leadership](<a href=“http://www.wellesley.edu/Anniversary/conferencepanelists.html]Conference”>http://www.wellesley.edu/Anniversary/conferencepanelists.html) Take a quick peek - pay close attention to how the alumnae ended up in their career paths. You’ll see that they had all sorts of majors, and not always a one to one correlation. </p>
<p>Try to think of academics at Wellesley in this way, as opposed to, “If I go to Wellesley and major in X, then I will have a career in Y.”</p>
<p>In your posting you mentioned being interested in international relations. Wellesley is a tremendous place to be if you are interested in that field, especially now that the Albright Institute is there. My daughter graduated 2 years ago with a major in international studies/history. In the year following graduation she went to Vietnam where she taught English on a Fulbright fellowship. Last year was her first year in an international economics MA program at Johns Hopkins SAIS at their center in Bologna, Italy. This past summer she did an internship at the US Embassy in Hanoi, and she is now in her 2nd year of her master’s program at SAIS in Washington, DC. I hope this gives you an idea of what you can do with a degree in international studies. With a Wellesley degree the possibilities are endless.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your input! It has helped a lot and I definitely will keep an open mind. I know there is still a good chance I will change in my mind at Wellesley, so I will do my best to be open to new possibilities.</p>
<p>Jacinth_ambrose, you made a really good point and I never thought about it that way. I definitely understand what you’re trying to say and I definitely agree. It’s been hard to break free from the “If I go to Wellesley and major in X, then I will have a career in Y” mindset, especially with parents who desperately want me to major than become a doctor, but I agree with you one hundred percent.</p>
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