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The
Academic Edge!
Double majors grant students academic edge, but pose
problems
By:
Lele Chen
In this era of overachievers, a college major is no longer about pursuing
an interest in depth. Students are increasingly doubling, tripling,
or even quadrupling their majors. Pupils at our nation's top universities
are beginning to believe that one major is not enough.
Why is there this
rush to do more, often to the extent of doubling one's workload? As
the college admissions process becomes more demanding, high school
students step up to the challenge. Along the way, they develop a work
ethic that is accustomed to striving for excellence. In turn, these
new college students search for a way to study harder and multiple
majors allow them to exercise some of their overachieving energy.
The Advanced Placement
classes that students take in high school help them in higher education,
as they are counted as credits in many colleges, lessening the number
of courses required. Moreover, these college students develop a mindset
where they need to gain an edge, whether for applying to graduate
schools or jobs. Add on the slumping economy and diminishing job prospects,
and the pressure just mounts.
Students can take
advantage of studying multiple areas of interest without having to
resort to taking two or more majors. They can supplement a major with
a minor, which involves half the number of courses as a major. Or
they can choose a dual major, consisting of two associated majors
that complement each other because classes overlap. Depending on the
college, there are slight variations in a double major versus a double
degree, but the usual requirement is taking all the classes needed
for two separate majors and receiving two separate degrees.
Theoretically, these
students should be as proficient in both fields as those who took
a single major. In reality, people with single majors can enroll in
more classes in their field, which allows them to have a heavier concentration
of those subjects than those who seek multiple majors. People with
multiple majors, on the other hand, must search for a schedule to
juggle the minimum courses required.
How do university
administrations feel about the trend? A main concern is whether or
not a student can maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) equivalent
to what they would have earned while completing only one major. Others
are concerned that acquiring multiple majors means sacrificing the
freedom of electives, a broad liberal arts education and extracurricular
activities.
More than one major
necessitates laborious effort and commitment. However, officials and
students alike are skeptical as to whether or not multiple majors
really have any substantial benefit after college.
"I've been told by some people that double majors are usually
wasted time," said Hung Yen of U.C. Berkeley. "Many people
come into college with the notion of double majoring, but after the
first two years, the number of people decreases substantially. Job
opportunities may increase slightly, but if a student knows what kind
of career he wants, then I would say double majoring is practically
useless," he said.
At the University
of Washington in St. Louis, the number of graduates with a double
major has risen from 28 to 42 percent. Withstanding his doubts, Hung
Yen is studying for a double major in Electrical Engineering and Economics.
For him, reasons include uncertainty about a career choice, interest
in both fields, and more importantly, keeping as many options open
as possible. Most students would cite similar incentives.
Not everyone has
such lofty motives though. Other students simply want to get the most
out of their education. Zhu-Song Mei, who is aiming for a triple major
in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Computer
Science at Northwestern University, simply deadpans, "I just
want to get my money's worth, ya know."
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