<p>I am freshman engineering student thinking of possible career fields. Following are my options:</p>
<p>1) Double major in Physics and Engineering (unsure of the specific field of engineering) and graduate in 3.5 years.</p>
<p>2) Double major in Engineering and Biology/ Biochemistry and Molecular biology and graduate in 4 years.</p>
<p>3) Just major in Engineering and graduate in 3 years.</p>
<p>The important point is that I am interested in all three fields and do not want to miss anything. However, I think I can be more successful if I am more focused.</p>
<p>If you really like physics then do number 1. Otherwise number 3. Only do number 2 if you really want to get a master in biomedical or chemical engineering.</p>
<p>I started college with 23 credits and I did 19 credits in the fall semester and doing the same in the spring semester. So, hopefully I will have 61 credits by the end of freshman year. </p>
<p>Taking into account the overlaps (Physics, chemistry and Mathematics), I will have to do 12 extra credits for Physics double major and 36 extra credits for the biology double major. So I can realistically graduate in three years if I only pursue engineering degree. I have all the courses planned out for the engineering major should I choose to graduate in three years except that I am not sure which electives I am going to take.</p>
<p>I am definitely going to major in Engineering but I also love both Physics and Biology. </p>
<p>I just cannot make up my mind to spend more time just because of my interests unless my future (in terms of grad school and job prospects) is enhanced by double major.</p>
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Taking into account the overlaps (Physics, chemistry and Mathematics), I will have to do 12 extra credits for Physics double major and 36 extra credits for the biology double major. So I can realistically graduate in three years if I only pursue engineering degree. I have all the courses planned out for the engineering major should I choose to graduate in three years except that I am not sure which electives I am going to take.
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<p>Are you planning on taking 19 hours a semester in order to graduate in three years? I don't know much about you or your school. Maybe 19 credits isn't that bad for you--for me, at my school, it would be a lot of work. However, I can pretty much guarantee that 19 hours of upper-level courses will be a lot more work and will be way more difficult than 19 hours of introductory courses. You may be overreaching in your plan of study. Or not, maybe you are an extremely talented student.</p>
<p>Your question is probably better answered by a counselor or professor who knows a lot more about the programs at your school and your aptitude, than by a message board.</p>
<p>19 credits at my school would be extremely difficult. Maybe if you do not have a job, do not do any sports or clubs, and give up any life you have outside of school. Or you're a very intelligent person.</p>
<p>There is no incentive to graduate so early unless you really have an axe to grind with the school you're going to. Relax and enjoy college while doing well.</p>
<p>I am good student though I do not think I am not extraordinarily talented. </p>
<p>I am probably the only engineering student taking the overload at my school. I am quite sure that I will be able to do over 18 credits because I enjoy science, maths and engineering. I do not have a job and I am not a athlete. I have limited social life (but enough for me) though I do participate in sports for fun. I just think I am kind of person who enjoys spending time studying.</p>
<p>And saving one year of my life is important for me. </p>
<p>So back to the question: Should I save my time or go for double major?</p>
<p>I will also talk to my academic adviser but I thought it cannot hurt to take opinion of people here.</p>
<p>I have said this many, many times, and I honestly think it is good advice (something a friend of mine once told me): why MAJOR in 5 different things? Do maybe 1-2 majors, and take classes in the other disciplines. </p>
<p>I think in general, unless it's bioengineering, engineering + physics might just have more synergy, but I'd figure out what has best synergy for you, and then take classes in the other for fun. Go in depth into the subject you like best. Because, look at it this way - you're going to lose SOMETHING by doing "everything" always, i.e., the opportunity to look deeper into one major. Even if you don't feel like doing so now, this depth will be something you'll be happy to have in the future.</p>
<p>Also, college years are excellent in many ways. I thought college is stressful, but am realizing stress never ends, and there is definitely something to be said about being able to take anything you want and learn it in college, plus live in contact with a bunch of people like you. </p>
<p>I think as you grow in years, you'll realize that a year in college is not a year wasted. I may be wrong, but likely not if you remain open.</p>
<p>I never said one extra year of college is wasted life. But why invest four years in college when you could get it done in three years by working a little harder? </p>
<p>Another option: Double major minor in biology, graduating in full four years.</p>
<p>samharris, most people do whatever they can to spend as much time as possible in college, it is way better than the real world from every account of the real world i've heard so far.</p>