<p>After a bit of soul searching the past few days, I'm not sure if I want to continue as a history major when I transfer or if I should apply as a political science major instead. I really love history and I find it fascinating to study what caused what to happen and that sort of thing. However, I feel like my career interests are more political in nature. For instance, I am very passionate about education reform, especially bettering the system for children who grow up in impoverished areas. I am also interested in maybe working to improve the healthcare system, poverty, human rights, crime rates, and even the environment. I would love to do something where I could advocate for these issues. I'm extremely interested in the historical context of past reform movements. I want to study what went right or wrong in the civil rights movement, the women's suffrage movement, the temperance movement, etc. I'm also interested in similar issues on a global stage as well as a national one. I want to learn continue learning history, but I feel like maybe political science is more applicable to what I want to do. </p>
<p>On top of all this, there's my transfer applications to worry about. Do I want to apply as a history major or a political science major? It is mostly about what I want to do, but it's also somewhat about how it would look in my application.</p>
<p>Coursework I've taken in history/will take by the time I transfer: Rise of World Cultures and Ideas (World Civ. I), The Modern World (World Civ. II), Traditional China, American History I, American History II, History of the South, The Holocaust, and maybe a seminar on United States Diplomatic History</p>
<p>Coursework I've taken in political science/will take by the time I transfer: Introduction to Political Science, American Politics, The American Presidency, and maybe another upper level political science class (trying to decide if I should do the history elective or the political science one)</p>
<p>GPA in history: 3.88 (intro and upper level courses ranging from the 100 to 300 level)
GPA in political science: 4.0 (but I've only taken intro classes on the 200 level so far)</p>
<p>My college EC's: College Democrats (President), School Newspaper Staff (World/Politics Editor, Layout Staff), Students for Environmental Education (Secretary, Recycling Committee), Chinese Scholar (studied Chinese for a year, then traveled to China for 5 weeks), Academic Affairs Committee (student committee that meets with provost to discuss academic policy, role in hiring new faculty), Gay/Straight Alliance, Freshman Honors Seminar (top 15 incoming freshmen, discussed books and current events)</p>
<p>So now I'm thoroughly confused. I've listed the pros and cons:</p>
<p>HISTORY MAJOR</p>
<p>Pros:
-I love history. It's my favorite ever.
-I have more credits in history.
-I feel like history would give me more of a broad base to work with in the future.</p>
<p>Cons:
-Not so specialized for my interests.
-Not all of my credits would transfer probably.</p>
<p>POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR</p>
<p>Pros:
-More applicable for what I want to do/accomplish
-Might would be easier to get accepted because it relates more to my achievements/goals
-I like it a lot, though not as much as history.
-My credits would probably all transfer because they're general courses that are offered at many schools.</p>
<p>Cons:
-I'm not as interested in certain branches of political science, like economics or statistical analysis (partly because I don't understand them).
-I have less credits in political science, so I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to finish in four years or that I would have less time to explore other areas.</p>
<p>I'm leaning toward the political science major, even though history is definitely my first love. Any opinions, agreement or otherwise? </p>
<p>Also, I was wondering what kind of careers would the description in my first paragraph describe? I need to figure out what to put on the Common Application for Possible Career or Professional Plans.</p>