College: Double Major + Minor = Possible?

[k4ng]

Hey guys, I need your help once again.

I'm wrapping up my second quarter as a freshman at UCSB. Picking my major has been a big struggle between me and my parents (who are paying for college). They want me to do something prudent like business or medical. I absolutely loathe both. We compromised on Communications since they think I can go into advertising or business with that degree. What I really want to do is be a Film & Women's studies major. So I'm currently attempting to double major in Comm & Film and a minor in WMST. I've been trying to figure out how to cram a bazillion units into four years. Comm and Film classes ALWAYS overlap and I can't take a lot of the classes I need/want to yet since I'm not upper division. Is this possible or should I just give up and choose two?

[masherscf]

This is frustrating. Your parents are helping you with school. But, it's your life. I wish your parents would feel less obligated to control your education. I understand that they feel entitled because they're bearing a finical burden. But micromanaging your education is should not be part of that deal.

Good luck.

[oliviakay]

I would talk to an advisor. I'm in the same boat kind of. All we have is a film studies minor here which sucks, but I'm now doubling in Mass Com and Creative Writing. Your advisor should be able to help you figure out classes and see if its possible, if its not and you need to go an extra semester or something, then that might be an option. Also, theres always grad school.

[njshadow]

Wow, now you got me thinkin' about switching to "Communications" rather than "Game Design". :D

[grebnethcarts]

But my majors (Electrical/Computer Engineering and Computer Science) had a lot of requirements in common and the minor (Mathematics) only took one extra class. It took me four and a half years, including summer classes every year. So I'd say you either need to accept that it's going to take more than four years to graduate, or you need to convince your parents that you can make your own decisions now that you're an adult. Keep in mind that if you're really not interesting in studying Communications, you probably won't be that interested in any job you can get with that degree.

If you do try to change your parent's minds, be sure to plan out your arguments in advance and try to anticipate any counter arguments they will have.

[jasonb]

All we have is a film studies minor here which sucks

Thats all you guys have as well, hmm i think there may be a conspiracy going on...... Well I'm actually going to grad school for my major/minor at the same time. I'm a broadcasting student and obviously a film study minor. It does confuse the hell out of me that Film Studies is an ENGLISH thing.

[gabe_utsecks]

Maybe you should try telling your parents that you'll go into TEACHING film.

There are always teaching jobs available for any given subject, and its a pretty well-paying, stable job, (if it is at a college, even a community college), and if the subject is film, it probably couldn't be anything but a college. I am a music major, and although my dream is score films or to be a music producer, my current aim is to actually to be a teacher. Anyone majoring in any form of art should probably consider teaching because it is so difficult to make money through producing art.

Interestingly, I kind of wish I went the medical route. I want to be a doctor. But that path is FAR too expensive, and my grades probably aren't good enough to be accepted anyway.

[gglynn00]

My only advice to double majors is give up your summers and cram as much in those two months as possible...You may get lucky and find pre-req's during intersessions and maybe a requirement or elective during the regular summer sessions. I enjoyed summer school because it seemed that I was around older non-traditional students and the prof's were usually more laid back b/c half of the class was the same age as the prof.

For me, I double majored in History and Social Studies and minored in Education. My majors overlapped a lot with each other and I think there were only like 15 hours difference that I had to make up which I did through evening/weekend/summers. I think Olivia has a good bit of advice in going to see an advisor.

[joedubbs]

I would take summer classes rather than trying to cram it all in 8 terms.

Especially with film classes if you try and take more than one a semester it becomes a real hassle when it comes to editing your materials. Signing up for labs and when assigments would be do for each class.

Just stick with what you love. Remember college is supposed to be fun and educational. Sadly most of it won't be worth a damn when you get out of school. I graduated last May and am fortunate enough to be working my desired industry you'll learn most about your profession from actually being there.

So my other advice would be to get an internship as soon as possible and network to turn that into more internships.

Best of luck.

[ha1f]

Summer classes are the way to go, but I gave up my summer last year to work full-time, and that was a huge mistake. In all honesty, if it was me, I would just do what I wanted. If your parents are using money to force you into something you don't want to do, it might be time to just cut the cord and go in your own direction. Finally getting through a tough year and then not being able to hang out with my friends all summer was _not cool_. College should be about learning stuff you're interested in and having fun doing it, not working yourself into the ground.

[diane]

I agree with Oliva, you need to talk to an advisor. I just have a different approach. A lot of colleges allow for students in your position to create their own degree.

I would actually look at Business and Film with a minor in Women's Studies. Here is why. A) Your parents wanted it originially so this should help get them off your back B) Film has a lot of business aspects to it. What you could do is then talk to the advisor and see if you could focus on film, but bring in elements. Then you are not buried with business classes, you can dabble in the different aspects (finance, marketing, administration, etc) without being bored to death and still primarily focus on film. I think business would allow more of this customization than communications, but you might want to try doing a combo with that too and seeing which one is better fitting for you.

But overall talk to an advisor, they will give you the best help. And schedule the appointment, don't just walk in. That way you get the best service for what you need.

[johnnyrad]

while it was a snap for me to major in rocket science and brain surgery with a minor in partyology - policies are different for every school, check with your first major's college (such as the business school if it's business), they'd be a lot more help than us internet rando's. good luck, and stick with it - jr. year seems to be the toughest to stick with.

[wideawakewesley]

Hey guys, I need your help once again.

I'm wrapping up my second quarter as a freshman at UCSB. Picking my major has been a big struggle between me and my parents (who are paying for college). They want me to do something prudent like business or medical. I absolutely loathe both. We compromised on Communications since they think I can go into advertising or business with that degree. What I really want to do is be a Film & Women's studies major. So I'm currently attempting to double major in Comm & Film and a minor in WMST. I've been trying to figure out how to cram a bazillion units into four years. Comm and Film classes ALWAYS overlap and I can't take a lot of the classes I need/want to yet since I'm not upper division. Is this possible or should I just give up and choose two?

Sorry to be blunt but screw your bloody parents. Good parents support the dreams and aspirations of their children. Why should you have to compromise on your dreams just because they're picking up the bill?

If they couldn't afford it, I'd understand, but as they have the money and are willing to spend it on you, they should let you do what you want.

:mad:

Wes

p.s. Ditch the Comms and follow your dreams!

[gglynn00]

Sorry to be blunt but screw your bloody parents. Good parents support the dreams and aspirations of their children. Why should you have to compromise on your dreams just because they're picking up the bill?

Good point Wes...Also, because of certain laws, it's not like they can go to the college and actually find out what you are actually taking;) But honesty is the best policy...Now, with that being said, your major really has nothing to do with what career you have after college. For example, I went to school to be a teacher, taught for a couple of years and hated it, that didn't mean my life was over. I branched out and now I am a project manager for a natural gas company and get to travel all over the place and direct construction on 1200 mile pipelines and gigantic compressors!!! I don't always like it, but I enjoy it way more than teaching. So, the point is, your degree doesn't typecast you into a role for the rest of your life...Employers are looking at your ability to finish what you have started and a degree shows that type of dedication.

[eddielee]

Sorry to be blunt but screw your bloody parents. Good parents support the dreams and aspirations of their children. Why should you have to compromise on your dreams just because they're picking up the bill?

If they couldn't afford it, I'd understand, but as they have the money and are willing to spend it on you, they should let you do what you want.

:mad:

Wes

p.s. Ditch the Comms and follow your dreams!

Remember that if you have kids!

[yssman]

Personally speaking, I've been struggling for a balance between being a full-time student (regularly having between 12-15 credits a semester) and being a nearly full-time worker. Going to a double major with a minor, that would be suicide!

I'd talk to an advisor about it. I know here at Aquinas they only allow for certain numbers of credits to be taken each semster, and furthermore, I believe most advisors are well prepared to talk you down a more rational path.

...That being said, I'm at a private school, so thats what I pay for....

I'd think a business major with a Womens Studies minor would be sufficent under most (if not all) circumstances, but thats just me. I'm boring and just go about dealing with Political Science and History.

The important thing is that you need to do what you feel is right. Its your education, not your parent's, so make your own out of it. The only reason why I'm not in the same boat is because I'm funding my own education, but not everyone can do that. And no, I'm not rich...

[mrhaines]

My recommendation:

Do what you love. Life is too short. Also, education is a lifetime process. If you want you can always come back and add on a second degree (and it typically only takes about 1-1.5 years to do it).

My roommate was doing a computer science degree but decided he didn't like it and so he switched to Music. Never seen a happier guy in your life, even if he is a starving musician. Stand up to your parents and tell them you are doing what makes you happy. Do it even if they cut off funding support. I would rather get loans for something I love than do something I hate simply because my parents want me to.

Again, life is too short, do what will make you happy.

BTW, I did a double major and it wasn't that hard, you just get less electives. If you have to drop something, drop the communications as it is the lowest on your areas of interest. And don't let people give you some bullshit line about how some degrees won't get you a job. If you pursue what you love with all your heart you will find success. It's only losers looking for an easy ride that judge a degree based upon the ease of finding employment.

Oh and one more thing, see an adviser, BUT, take what they say with a grain of salt. They often just want you into the system. For example, my roommate who I mentioned above wanted a music degree but wanted credit for his computer classes, so he talked to the board and convinced the school INVENT a combined computer science/music major. Now he can do both.

[wideawakewesley]

Remember that if you have kids!

I do and I will.

:)

[bcool]

I managed to do a film computer science double major without too much trouble. next to computer science, film was like a minor anyway.

Also, at my school at least(UCSC), film and communications were fairly close so a double major there would probably really be like 1.5 majors.

HOWEVER, I'd also say that I loathed CS my freshman year 'cause living in the dorms and being away from home that first year was more than a little distracting. As I got more settled in I enjoyed the challenge of "more rigorous" classes. I'm guessing your parents are pushing you in that direction because you're good at those things... I'm just saying even if you do switch to film/WS now, take a class (you'll have to take the IN and Q GE's anyway) in the other majors at some point and keep an open mind.

I'd also be wary of communications... Do what you love, but know that comm will be viewed by some as a cop out.

[nextgenxbox]

Film Major FTW!

[robotbodiesbff]

Yeah, Its possible.

I did a double major and a Minor in four years and 1 quarter. If I had planned it out better, I could have done it in less than four.

[mikeyj10]

Major in the practical stuff and audit the interesting stuff.