<p>I won't go into a lengthy explanation. I have a passion for the arts as well as a passion for knowledge and science. I am an undeclared major and am trying to decide which to devote my life to. </p>
<p>I have contemplated double majoring, but it seems like I'd be spreading myself too thin in completely opposite fields. I'd rather be able to focus all of my energy on one and be the best at it. Its really hard, because it seems like the more logical choice would be to go with science and do art as a hobby...but I can't really live with that. Every time I meet an art major I get super jealous of what they get to do. But at the same time I would feel inadequate academically as an art major. Its really confusing. </p>
<p>So is there any one else struggling with this kind of decision? How do you know which path you're supposed to take? Is there a realistic way I could do BOTH? </p>
<p>For science I'm considering majoring in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, psychology (not a B.S. but still science-y enough) or even physics. I don't know if any of those can go well with art. Help?</p>
<p>Are you willing to go more than 4 years? Are you going for a BFA or just a BA? </p>
<p>It can be done. I am graduating with a BS and a BA in four years. However, both of my majors were pretty non-credit intensive programs. Psychology can be a BS in many schools if you go the science route. </p>
<p>My roommate is getting a BFA (Studio Art) and BA (Humanities). She is graduating in 5 years. Trust me, her work for that BFA is pretty academic. I don’t think you’ll feel “inadequately academic” (forewarning: many CCers are going to say you’re dumb for even considering going for something as “useless” as art). </p>
<p>There are a lot variables that you need to decide on before you can decide whether to pursue both or just one. Talk to a counselor and plan out what you’d need to do. Go for it for a year or two and decide if you like the art better, the science better, or if you want to go for a double degree and get both. Or you could get a minor in one of them. </p>
<p>Hope that makes sense. Best of luck, and go with where your heart is. You’re going to do best in what you WANT to do, not what you are forced to do.</p>
<p>Don’t assume that you would be spreading yourself too thin by double majoring (especially if your science major is not a BS). You might want to try starting off on the double majoring path, taking classes in both areas, to see how they balance and which ones you like more. You will make a much better decision this way than before you have even taken the classes.</p>
<p>This plan might also be helpful if you are considering minoring in one area instead of double majoring.</p>
<p>I’m not quite the kidn of person who ‘loves’ the art, but I appreciate literature, philosophy, and history and the lessons they can teach us. My favorite I’d have to say is philosophy, though I’m more technically oriented. I’m a physics and math major, and I think that this suits me very well. For example, mathematics is just like philosophy in the most basic sense, except with numbers. They’re simply numerical arguments, and you have to prove and justify why you do or assume things, etc. Physics is one of those fields where you can get into a topic that has very strong philosophical implications (talking about cosmology, astrophysics, quantum mechancis, string theory, etc.). This works out for me because I get to do the math and physics that I love and also live a lifestyle where I can constantly be asking these philosophical questions. Evolutionary biology and neuroscience are two other fields where it’s much the same, if you’re more interested in life sciences rather than physical sciences.</p>
<p>You’ve got a lot of options. I think it would serve you best to choose one of the ‘blue-skies’ sciences because not only will you be able to fulfill both passions (if you see it the way I do at least) but you’ll have marketable skills when you someday have to start making enough money so that financial crises don’t take over your life and take you away from doing what you love to do.</p>
<p>What would you like to do with art? There’s painting/drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, etc. Depending on the school, you can get a BA or a BFA in art. A BA is a more general degree that offers a lot more freedom to do what you want and take other electives. A BFA is a professional degree and is much more strict than a BA and are designed to take 5 years to complete rather than 4 years (at least at my school). </p>
<p>I was in a situation like you, except replace “science” with “foreign languages”. I was torn between studying animation/illustration or Japanese. I opted for a/i because of job opportunities (I actually went with art because I wanted to be employed!) and I figured I could always learn Japanese later in life without studying it in college. My decision to major in a/i was kind of made on a whim, but it turns out I love it anyway. It also helps that my school has an amazing a/i program.</p>
<p>I did want to do both. I simply couldn’t. I, like you, felt it would be better to focus on one instead of dividing my attention between the two. I decided the only way I could make it as an animator was to dedicate myself fully to it as opposed to trying to pursue two subjects at the same time. With a BA I think it would be possible to pursue an art degree and a science degree, but if you want to go the BFA route it’s actually discouraged. I’m taking three lower division studio art classes, and I spend so much time drawing and painting I can’t imagine having to worry about a second course of study. The people higher up in my major have the motto “if you’re not ahead, then you’re behind” and they know what the campus looks like at two in the morning. I have a professor from the film department who says he loves the a/i majors because they’re always half asleep.</p>
<p>Why would you feel inadequate academically as an art major? It’s not just drawing pretty pictures. There’s a ton of thinking and theory involved. Depending on what you’re working on there’s form, perspective, line quality, rendering, light, color, brainstorming, composition, etc. not to mention a knowledge of whatever medium you’re working with. I love literature, psychology, history, anthropology, etc. and I don’t feel like my BFA program is lacking.</p>
<p>You don’t need to attend any kind of educational institution to get involved in the arts, you can do that on the side. I don’t call it a “hobby,” because it doesn’t have to be a mere hobby, it can be so much more than a hobby, even if you’re not getting paid for it. Plenty of writers, for example, worked day jobs while being writers at the same time. You do not need to choose exclusively, don’t let anybody tell you that you have to choose. But for college, choose science, because you need the university for that. For the arts, do that on your own, in the real world. Whatever you want to do in the arts, you can achieve without needing schooling for it if you have the self-discipline–and in some cases, the friends to help you.</p>
<p>If you’re a millionaire, perhaps. Depends on the science. There’s a lot of equipment involved in science and engineering that costs as much as a car or house. Try doing research on semiconductor fabrication or particle physics in your garage. Even something like biology make require access to labs and supplies that are hard to get (or even illegal for a private residence to have).</p>
<p>I’ve got a similar problem. I’m undeclared too but my main major is probably going to be in a sciencey/social sciencey field, though still a BA most likely. To double major in BA studio art at my school would be extremely difficult, it’s a degree that has a ton of varied requirements some of which I have no real interest in, but I don’t think I’ll be able to go through four years without having art as a part of my academics (I went to an arts high school so it’s really important to me). As of now, though this may change, I think I’m going to minor in studio art (or maybe double minor in that and English). More class freedom than with a major, less time and effort, but it still remains an integral part of my schoolwork. </p>
<p>So if you think you’d be okay with focusing less on art think about a minor if it’s possible? No matter which science you choose I think that having a basis and outlet for creative thinking can only help you.</p>