I’ve always wanted to do more physics! But at this rate it would require a lot of backtracking to minor in physics. What are other good options? I’m pre-law but want to avoid minoring in legal studies, perhaps take up a foreign language (French), or history? Idk, I really wanted to do physics or computer science, but I would need way more math. Any advice? Should I take the time to do more math and be able to do something that interests me like physics or computer science?
Furthermore, do I get a separate certificate for my minor or is it just mentioned on my transcript or something?
I would go for it even if it requires more math (how much more does it require exactly?) since you won’t have as much time to study physics, especially in a formal setting, when you’re in law school or working.
I don’t think you get a separate certificate, and I think it’s listed on your transcript but not your diploma.
Well at my transfer school I would have to start with pre-calculus, there are almost no transfer equivalencies for math credits with my two-year so I would probably end up staying extra there unless I took Summer classes, which paying for would be the only issue. Even if I could have transferred more pre-reqs from my community college, I was too busy taking SUNY Gen eds, switching majors and what not. But yeah, I might just go for it, I’ll have to talk about it with my pre-law advisor. If nothing else I’ll go for French or computer science.
Be very, very careful about physics if you are serious about law (though there are better job prospects in physics than law…). To get into law school = GPA & LSAT. Physics is famously hard on GPAs, and law schools will not give you a break for being a physics minor- they cut on numbers.
Yeah… my physics major loves it, but it is tough on the GPA.
I have been considering switching my major from English to physics when I transfer. If I were to put in the time, is a 3.85+ GPA possible or even realistic in physics? The thing is, English comes very easily to me, but I felt like really challenging my critical thinking by taking on some physics. However, I would like to maintain a high GPA. On the other hand, physics seems like a much more lucrative fallback in the case I decide not to go to law school, leaving me with just a bachelor’s in English.
It’s possible, of course. But it’s not really realistic unless you’re a top student. Physics has a reputation of being hard on just about anyone’s GPA, as has been mentioned. If it were me and I wanted to go to law school, I honestly wouldn’t do physics for that reason.
Interest wise, absolutely go for it! But with law school aspirations, I’m hesitant to recommend it.
It is possible to maintain a strong GPA in physics. However, if you want to major in physics, you need to start taking the required mathematics courses as soon as possible to see if you can handle them. Physics I generally requires a pre-requisite of Calculus or at the very least a co-requisite.
I intend to independently study pre-calc, then attempt to test into it before Summer, then take pre-calc at my community college over the Summer, that way I can start off in Calc. I when I start at my transfer school. There I will probably start off minoring in physics if anything, and if I really do enjoy it without struggle, either make it my major or double-major in it.