<p>For a while I've been trying to decide between a science major and international relations. This program seems to combine them. However, if I decide to go into a science-related field, will this degree be sufficient? I think theres a reason it seems to be impossible to double major in science and international relations in 4 years.</p>
<p>I'm a junior and will be applying to colleges next year, so I have to decide between the College and SFS.</p>
<p>Depends what kind of science-related field, I suppose. Although you can’t formally double-major, there is room to take science classes as electives. Depending on how much AP/advanced credit you came in with, as well as how many foreign language classes you needed to take before you passed proficiency, you could have room to complete the equivalent of a science major as well. Sort of like how some STIA folks do pre-med.</p>
<p>rainbowrose- I went to an award ceremony today where the keynote speaker was an engineer who did her undergrad at Loyola Marymount and her graduate work at Stanford. She made a great point when talking about herself and friends of hers. She said it is easier to go from a math/ engineering background into business and law than the reverse. This may be obvious but it opened my DD eyes to the fact that yes, she is good at math and even though she likes the idea of IR she may want to pursue math as well. The point the speaker successfully conveyed was that friends of hers who are now in law or business could have kept their options open longer had they studied math/ science instead of social science or humanities. I am in no way belittling the latter two fields of study (my BA and MA are in English) but if you have some interest in science don’t pigeonhole yourself going into your undergrad years. As we get older the windows of our individual opportunity begin to shut and what we are left with is the results of choices we have made earlier in life. I’m all for keeping as many of those windows open for as long as possible. Go with your passion, but also look for passion in all you do.</p>
<p>@4safrontman, thank you! That was really insightful. I guess I’ll stick to my original plan: chemistry with a minor in East Asian studies (if it fits) or at least a few semesters of Chinese language classes. I think I just did so badly on my chem test today though haha and apparently everyone else thought it was very straightforward, which is making me question my original plan. Oh well, I guess you can’t get EVERY topic (even if it’s a super-easy topic >.< and you understand 95% of the ones know one else understands).</p>