<p>would it be possible to do a philosophy and classics double major/concentration with a music minor and still be able to complete the pre med and core curriculum requirements or would i just not have enough space/flexibility in my schedule? also, if was able to do this, would i like die from all the work and stress that would come out all the courses?</p>
<p>So joint concentration means that it truly is joint, not that you’re getting separate concentrations in both. Here, that means, do you like classical philosophy? I’ve known two people who were classics/philosophy joints, and then one dropped to just (modern) philosophy and the other dropped to just classics (largely literature). If you don’t want to study classical philosophy, you’d just have the one major and it would be easier. </p>
<p>Back-of-the-envelope calculations: music requires 5 courses for a secondary. Classics requires 11, but really 13 because I don’t think very many of them don’t write theses. Philosophy is 12, or 13 if you want honors. So let’s go with 13. Probably about the same number are required for a joint. Depending on your math background, premed is 8-10 courses. That’s 28 courses, and 32 are required to graduate. (For the record, I’m in a 12-course concentration, no premed things, and am having trouble squeezing in the 5th course of my secondary.) We have 8 general education requirements–Core is gone. 7 of those can possibly be double-counted with premed/Classics/philosophy (remaining: United States in the World, my own least favorite…since for some reason my US history class didn’t count). So, technically feasible, but it would put a ton of stress on your schedule. Yes, you can take 5 a semester, but with your workload you’d likely not want to very often.</p>
<p>While technically possible, this would be EXTREMELY difficult and it’s IMO very unlikely that you would end up going through with it. For reference, I’m doing a 15-course concentration with a 6-course secondary and I’m having trouble fitting everything and having space for the occasional interesting class - mostly because I looked around during freshman year. If you want ANY flexibility at all when you’re starting out, this isn’t feasible. And believe me: you want some flexibility.
Go in with an open mind. Take courses in fields you want to explore, but don’t be committed to any particular major. And keep in mind that having a nominal concentration, joint, secondary, whatever doesn’t mean all that much.</p>
<p>I would find it difficult to believe that you would find an advisor who would consent. Music is very very tough on people who wish to joint concentrate-- they have to be convinced that they are not (fill in the black) students who don’t want to give up their music on side. Bc my son had done Math 55 he had a lot of convincing of Tom Kelley that he was a serious music student (and did this in part by being a music-math joint as opposed to a math-music joint --and yes there is a real difference as to which is listed first…)</p>
<p>The good thing OP is that you seem to want to grab Harvard and wring out all it has to offer-- terrific. You will find a way to do that that is not impossible. Please also leave some space but temporally and intellectually to sample the very valuable extracurricular life on campus. Graduates often report that it has been in their extracurricular activities, rather than in the classroom where their most intellectually and personally rewarding interactions took place.</p>
<p>Unless things have changed since I was there, Harvard doesn’t allow its students to have a “minor.” The Harvard “field of concentration” system is different from that of other schools’ major/minors system.</p>
<p>Joint concentrations at Harvard generally merge the two disciplines into a coherent plan of study. Often, those who pursue joint concentrations produce a senior honors thesis (which would add to the academic workload in the junior/senior years).</p>
<p>You should ask yourself why you want to pursue a joint concentration + minor + a premed curriculum. As others have mentioned, it’s possible to do the phil + classics joint concentration. Why not just take music classes on the side as the schedule permits?</p>
<p>The minor in music notwithstanding, fitting in premed courses on top of a joint concentration will likely be difficult. I’d recommend dropping down to a single concentration and doing the premed courses…or do the joint concentration and reserve the premed courses for postbaccalaureate work.</p>
<p>The academic advising system is quite good at Harvard; lots of safety nets are in place. Talk to your freshman proctor (who serves a dual role as RA/academic advisor) about this. I’d be willing to bet that he/she will recommend dropping down to a single concentration…and enjoying the college experience more.</p>
<p>Have fun at college.</p>
<p>how about if i took off classics completely and did a philosophy concentration with music as a secondary concentation with pre med? if i did this would i be able to get everything to work?</p>
<p>@magicballs77: Are you enrolling this Fall at Harvard as an incoming first-year?</p>
<p>If you haven’t secured an acceptance yet, then I would suggest you focus on other aspects of the college admissions process.</p>
<p>FYI, Harvard students don’t have “secondary concentrations.” The vast majority of students selects ONE field of concentration. Very few choose to do a joint concentration; it’s just not worth it. One could very easily concentrate in philosophy and take classes that meet med school prerequisites. That same student could take as many elective music courses as his/her schedule allows.</p>
<p>Hope this helps…</p>